18/2016: Appointment of Independent Member of the Joint Independent Audit Committee – 12 May 2016

Executive Summary and Recommendation:

In accordance with the statutory Code of Practice for Financial Management in the police service, Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables must establish joint Audit Committees made up of persons independent of the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and the Police Service. The arrangements for the Joint Independent Audit Committee (JIAC) were put in place by way of Decision Notice 02/2012.

The JIAC for North Yorkshire currently has two vacancies for such independent persons.  This proposal recommends the appointment of Max Thomas, who has extensive experience of corporate governance and assurance, treasury management, regulatory affairs, fraud management, internal and external audit within the public sector.

The Chief Constable has been consulted and assents to this appointment.

This report seeks approval for the appointment of Max Thomas as a member of the JIAC.

Decision

Police and Crime Commissioner decision: Approved

Signature: 
Date: 12 May 2016
Title: Police and Crime Commissioner

1. Introduction and Background

In accordance with the statutory Code of Practice for Financial Management in the police service, Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables must establish Joint Audit Committees made up of persons independent of the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and the Police Service.

The North Yorkshire JIAC currently has three independent members.  The preferred membership is between three and five members.  North Yorkshire JIAC are seeking to appoint additional independent member, and in March 2016 Mr Max Thomas was interviewed for a position.  This would bring the panel membership to four.

Vetting checks have been undertaken and completed for this appointment.

2. Other Options Considered

There are no further matters for consideration.

3. Contribution to Police and Crime Plan Priorities

The Joint Audit Committee provides independent scrutiny on the adequacy of the corporate governance and risk management arrangements in place for North Yorkshire Police and therefore appointing to this role will assist with ensuring the outcomes of the Police and Crime Plan are achieved in accordance with governance principles and proper practices.

4. Implementation and Resourcing Implications

There are no direct financial implications of this appointment.

5. Consultations Carried Out

The approval of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable is required to confirm the appointment. 

 6. Compliance Checks

Financial Implications/Value for money:

Chief Constables Chief Finance Officer Comments
There are no significant financial implications of this Decision Notice.  JIAC members do not receive any payment for attendance.  The only costs will be for expenses and for costs of appropriate training costs.  Budget provision has been made for these costs.

Legal Implications:
Having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, the Acting Force Solicitor and Head of Legal Services is satisfied that this report does not ask the PCC for North Yorkshire to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law.

Human Resources Implications:
It is noted that in accordance with the statutory Code of Practice for Financial Management in the police Service,  Joint Independent  Audit Committees are created and this proposal seeks to fill one of the current vacancies on that committee within North Yorkshire Police.  Given that a process has been followed to assess the suitability of the proposed candidate and vetting has also been considered, I would state that there are no further HR implications envisaged at this stage.

Public Access to information
As a general principle, the Commissioner expects to be able to publish all decisions taken and all matters taken into account when reaching the decision.  This Notice will detail all information which the Commissioner will disclose into the public domain.  The decision and information will be made available on the Commissioner’s website.

Only where material is properly classified as Restricted under the Government Protective Marking Scheme or if that material falls within the description at 2(2) of The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 will the Commissioner not disclose decisions and/or information provided to enable that decision to be made.  In these instances, Part 2 will be used to detail those matters considered to be restricted.  Information in Part 2 will not be published.

All decisions taken by the Commissioner will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Part two

Is there a Part 2 to this Notice –NO

Report Information

Author(s) : Michael Porter, Commissioners Chief Finance Officer
Head of Department: Simon Dennis, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Executive Group Sponsor(s): Simon Dennis, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Date created: 07/03/2016

Background documents:
Please note that when submitting papers for Executive Board consideration, additional documents should not be embedded within this document but provided separately, and must be clearly and correctly labelled (e.g. Appendix A).

I confirm that all the above advice has been sought and received against this and any associated Part 2 information and I am satisfied that this is an appropriate request to be submitted for a decision

Signature:       Michael Porter
Date: 11/05/2016
Author to complete at all times