• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

• Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX

• Salary: £712 per annum, plus travel expenses

• Hours: Part time, six mornings per annum

• Contract: Fixed term for 4 years

• Reference: 3266

Do you have the time and skills to make a positive and independent contribution to Babergh and Mid Suffolk’s Joint Audit and Standards Committee?

We are looking to appoint a Co-opted Member to the Joint Audit and Standards Committee, ideally someone with financial, auditing and risk management experience.

The Co-opted Member will assist the Joint Audit and Standards Committee to discharge their powers and functions as detailed below:

• providing independent assurance to the councils in relation to its governance, risk management and internal control environment

• considering and commenting on reports from council officers, the external auditor and other inspection agencies

• considering any significant issues arising from internal or external audit work and ensuring appropriate actions are taken for improvement

• commenting on the councils’ arrangements to counter fraud and corruption, including effective proactive and reactive actions

• assisting in the review of the annual statement of accounts, including the Annual Governance Statement and the external auditor’s report

• assisting in the review and monitoring of the effectiveness of both internal and external audit

• assisting the councils in promoting high standards of conduct by elected and co-opted Members through, in particular, the Suffolk Code of Conduct

• developing a sound understanding of the ethical framework as it operates within Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

• acting as advocate and ambassador for the councils in promoting ethical behaviour.

Given the independent nature of this role, you should be someone who:

• has not, within the period of five years immediately preceding the date of the appointment, been a councillor or officer of Babergh or Mid Suffolk District Council

• is not a relative or close friend of a councillor or officer of Babergh or Mid Suffolk District Council

• has no personal, legal, business or contractual relationship with the council (including employees, councillors or former staff), or any other relationship or activity which might represent a conflict of interest.

Person Specification

Skills

• able to understand complex issues and the importance of accountability and probity in public life

• able to analyse and assess evidence and come to a rational conclusion

• able to reconcile the ideal with reality and practicality

• able to demonstrate objectivity

• able to demonstrate integrity and discretion

• able to make decisions

• must possess effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Knowledge

• some knowledge of local government would be useful

• knowledge of corporate governance arrangements in either the public,

• voluntary, community or private sectors would be beneficial

• knowledge of risk management.

Experience

• you will be a person who has business, financial, corporate governance, voluntary or community sector experience of working in a medium/large organisation at a senior level or other experience which would give similar benefits

• financial management experience would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• no specific qualifications or background are required.

Competences

• analytical and challenging - Ability to effectively hold people to account, question data and conclusions presented and tenacious in obtaining full and satisfactory explanations

• risk focused - Ability to assess the importance and impact of issues and prioritise

• independent - Ability to be, open-minded and impartial and think critically, articulate an objective view and be sceptical

• proportionate and balanced - Ability to assimilate the detail, separate the important from the trivial and spot the absence of appropriate data and information

• commitment to and clarity of the role - Conscientious, clear about, and committed to the role of the Committee

• working with others - Ability to work constructively with other Committee members, officers and external and internal auditors and to get officers and auditors to be open and honest. Relevant knowledge and rigorous intellect - Appreciation of key concepts e.g. accounting, best value, continuous improvement and ability to understand some quite complex issues

• efficiency - Ability to ensure controls are in place such that risks are minimised in the most cost-effective manner

• confidentiality – An understanding of the confidentiality requirements when receiving information and dealing with complaints.

Other

• you must have no criminal convictions

• you must not be an undischarged bankrupt

• you should have no significant business dealings with the council

• you should not be or have been an active member of any political party during the last five years.

Terms of appointment:

• the appointment will be for up to four years, subject to approval by council

• this post will take up approximately up to six mornings per annum for meetings plus preparation time and training

• you will need to undertake your duties in a politically neutral manner

• you will be required to abide by the council’s Code of Conduct for Elected Members, which sets out expected standards of behaviour. You will be required to complete a Register of Interests form on an annual basis and keep this updated

• an allowance of £712.00 remuneration per year is payable for this role. Travel expenses will be paid in addition to this amount.

To find out more

If this opportunity interests you, but you would like to discuss it further without committing yourself, please contact John Snell, Head of Internal Audit by telephone 01473 296336 or by email [email protected].

Alternatively, please download the Job Description (word).

How to apply 

Please request an application form by emailing: [email protected].

Completed applications are to be submitted to: [email protected].

Closing date: 26 February 2026.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

To apply, please follow the application process detailed above.

This job does not have a Suffolk Jobs Direct online application form.

The ‘Apply Now’ button below only allows you to submit a job alert, not an online application.