EOI - Independent Member to ARIC

⁠⁠⁠Uralla Shire Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from people interested in joining the Uralla Shire (USC) and Walcha Councils' (WC) Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) as an External Independent Member, with both councils seeking a common external member.

Both USC and WC seek to leverage shared experiences in similar matters of governance for issues that are often common across each Council, both in size and scope.

Each ARIC meeting will be scheduled for the same day with travel between each Council of approximately 45KM. ARIC agenda business paper formats are sent electronically to each member.

The Councils are inviting expressions of Interest from suitably qualified individuals for appointment as an external independent member to the USC and WC ARICs.

The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee is a key component of Councils’ governance frameworks. The Committees will be responsible for assisting Councils to fulfil their governance and oversight responsibilities.

The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee is comprised of three independent external members. Each Council has nominated a councillor to the committee (non-voting). Both Councils will be expecting the new member to commence duties at the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting to be held 1 June 2026. An induction will be scheduled in May.

Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee members are expected to meet the following criteria:

1. have the qualities and personal attributes needed to serve the Councils effectively in their role as a committee member;

2. have a functional knowledge in areas that would provide a valuable contribution to the committee and Councils such as:

•  local government
•  internal audit and external audit
•  risk management
•  governance
•  performance management
•  financial management, reporting and accounting
•  human resources management
•  internal control frameworks
•  fraud and corruption prevention
•  IT/cyber security
•  the local community; or
•  another relevant subject matter; and
• undertake any training on the operation of audit, risk and improvement committees recommended by the chair based on their assessment of the skills, knowledge and experience of the committee member.

A member of an audit, risk and improvement committee must also demonstrate the following personal qualities and attributes:

• a commitment to the independence of their role
• integrity
• a capacity to dedicate sufficient time and energy
• financial literacy, including an ability to read or understand basic financial statements, ask pertinent questions about them, and interpret and evaluate answers
• an ability to give direct and honest opinions and offer different perspectives and constructive suggestions; and
• inquisitiveness and independent judgment.
• A commitment to collaboratively assisting each Council pursue continuous improvement in all areas addressed by the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

The Committee meets at least four times a year. Currently we have scheduled meetings for 1 June 2026, 7 September 2026 and 7 December 2026, The Committee is a formally appointed Committee of each Council. The appointment will be for a four-year term.

The current meeting fees for an independent member is $750 per meeting per Council.

In addition, Council will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs.

Both Councils have progressed the transitioning to new ARIC Terms of Reference based on the NSW Office of Local Government Draft Guidelines proclaimed in June 2022.

How to Apply

Complete the nomination form on this page and submit to: council@uralla.nsw.gov.au

For further information, contact: Steven Williams

Phone: (02) 6778 6300

Email: council@uralla.nsw.gov.au