Appointment of an Independent Lay Member to the Governance and Audit Committee for Denbighshire County Council

We are looking to appoint an Independent Lay Member to the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee who will be responsible for providing an independent and high-level focus on the adequacy of governance, risk and control arrangements within the Council. Its role in ensuring there is sufficient assurance over governance, risk and control gives greater confidence to the Council that those arrangements are effective.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate independence, integrity and impartiality in discharging the work of the committee and possess the following qualities and skills:

  • Analytical skills including the ability to understand and weigh up evidence
  • Ability and confidence to challenge and hold to account Council Officers and representatives of Internal and External Audit;
  • Ability to assess issues relating to arrangements for risk management, governance and control, and identify and evaluate solutions;
  • Strategic awareness and an ability to make clear and reasoned decisions;
  • Work to high standard of behaviour, demonstrating honesty and integrity and discretion;
  • Respect for others and an understanding of diverse issues
  • Empathy with the Welsh Language and Culture
  • Experience of attending and contributing to meetings

A detailed knowledge of local government is not necessary although potential candidates would require a good understanding of the environment within which Denbighshire County Council operates.

A person cannot be an Independent Lay Member if they:

  • are a councillor or officer (or spouse or civil partner to a councillor or officer) of any County/County Borough Council, National Park Authority, Fire Authority or a City, Community or Town Council
  • are a former senior, cabinet or executive member of Denbighshire County Council within the 5 years prior to their appointment (November 2026)
  • are a former councillor of Denbighshire County Council within the 2 years prior to their appointment (November 2026)
  • are a former officer who previously held politically restricted posts or were registration officers of Denbighshire County Council or National Park Authority, Fire Authority or a City, Community or Town Council within Denbighshire within the 2 years prior to their appointment (November 2026)

Independent Lay Member Payments

You will receive between £105 to £268 per day depending on your role and the Governance and Audit Committee meets up to 7 times per year in Denbighshire.

All applications will be judged on their merit and the need to achieve a balance of skills, qualities and expertise on the Committee.

The closing date for applications is the 12th October 2026.

The appointment will be subject to an interview with an Advisory Panel 22nd October 2026. The Advisory Panel will make a recommendation to Full Council on the 24th November 2026 who will make the final decision on the appointment.

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Gary Williams, Monitoring Officer on gary.williams@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 712562.

Applications forms are available from Amy Foster on amy.foster@denbighshire.gov.uk or by telephone on 01824 712607.

Vacancy pack

Governance Audit Committee Independent (Lay) Member - Vacancy Pack (PDF, 1MB)