Invitation to take hold of purse strings
SWANSEA Council has a budget of hundreds of millions of pounds a year — and you could have a say in how it is spent.
For the first time the local authority is looking to appoint a lay person to the panel which helps scrutinise its finances. The member of the public would join the audit committee and could even end up chairing it.
Council head of finance, Mike Trubey said: "The audit committee is an important watchdog on the way the council organises and manages its financial affairs.
"We are looking for someone from outside the council to provide insight and challenge that is independent of our officers and politicians."
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This financial year Swansea Council's revenue budget was just over £330 million.
That is divided up between areas such as education, social services and the environment.
There is also a capital budget for things such as building projects and the housing budget for local authority housing. These are just some of the matters which go before committee members.
The authority is looking for someone with the time and commitment to become involved in what it said was one of the most important scrutiny roles in the council.
Mr Trubey said the audit committee:
Reviews, scrutinises and issues reports and recommendations in relation to the council's financial affairs;
Reviews, scrutinises and issues reports and recommendations on the authority's risk management, internal control and corporate governance arrangements; and,
Oversees the council's audit arrangements and reviews its financial statements.
In order to be eligible for the position of lay member, applicants should recognise and understand the value of the audit role.
However, they must have no business connection with the council.
They need to be knowledgeable about local government functions and display independence of thinking, unbiased attitudes and an understanding of equality issues. Anyone who things they may be eligible to apply must do so before Wednesday.
helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514417
Comments
by Neathboy234
Sunday, September 23 2012, 1:28PM
“sochat they are indeed very much part of our system. We live in a democracy where the people who represent us and in fact of our choosing. There are many alternatives such as N Korea where the people get now say in who governs them. Personalty i think it's a very good system, and thankfully it has kept out the extremists as well”
by sochat
Sunday, September 23 2012, 1:04PM
“Neathboy234
The coucillors arent the system you comedian.”
by brochadav
Sunday, September 23 2012, 10:04AM
“Publicity stunt, maybe. But this lay person will be sitting at the meeting and will know exactly what happens and what is said. It makes the process open and hopefully completely above board.
We should be glad the Labour council (whom I didn't vote for by the way) are being open in their dealings, well done to them I say.”
by Neathboy234
Sunday, September 23 2012, 9:12AM
“sochat The system as U put it is represented by the votes choice. What's the matter didn't your party get any councilors!”
by sochat
Sunday, September 23 2012, 7:58AM
“One voice against the system,no chance.A publicity stunt.”