Decision details

Memorandum by the Chief Executive Officer

To Council:

The Office of Local Government published the Draft Guidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit in Local Government in NSW (the "Draft Guidelines") in December 2022. Council have been advised that compliance with these Draft Guidelines is required by 1 July 2024. The Draft Guidelines have not yet been finalised pending the making of empowering regulations. The Office of Local Government is not able to advise when these regulations will be made.

One of the independent members of the City's Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee will complete their term of appointment to the Committee in November 2023.

In consultation with the Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, it is recommended that Council endorse updated position descriptions which reflect the requirements of the Draft Guidelines. This will enable the conduct of an expression of interest process to identify appropriate candidates for new independent members. This process with be conducted by the Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the requirements of the Draft Guidelines. The recommended appointments will be reported back to Council for endorsement in accordance with the Draft Guidelines.

Following the resignation of Jess Scully from Council in April 2023, Council is required to appoint a new Council representative on the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Once the regulations are made and the Draft Guidelines are finalised, staff will submit an updated Audit Risk and Compliance Committee Charter for Council endorsement.

MONICA BARONE

Chief Executive Officer

Recommendation

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council endorse the draft position descriptions for independent members and independent chairs as shown at Attachment A to the subject memorandum, for the purposes of enabling the conduct of a public expression of interest process;

(B)       authority be delegated to the Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, to undertake a recruitment process for independent members in accordance with the draft position descriptions, by way of a public expression of interest process;

(C)       Council note that recommendations in relation to the appointment of new members of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee will be the subject of a future report to Council for endorsement; and

(D)       Council appoint Councillor ____________ as Council’s representative on the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Davis –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council endorse the draft position descriptions for independent members and independent chairs as shown at Attachment A to the subject memorandum, for the purposes of enabling the conduct of a public expression of interest process;

(B)       authority be delegated to the Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, to undertake a recruitment process for independent members in accordance with the draft position descriptions, by way of a public expression of interest process;

(C)       Council note that recommendations in relation to the appointment of new members of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee will be the subject of a future report to Council for endorsement; and

(D)       Council appoint Councillor Robert Kok as Council’s representative on the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Carried unanimously.

S083523