Contract: Fixed Term, up to 31 March 2029
Salary: £1,500 per annum plus reasonable expenses
Hours: 3 Committee meetings per year, plus training as required
Location: No 1. Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP
Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 19th April 2026
Shortlisting & Interview Dates: TBC
Merseyside Wate & Recycling Authority (MRWA) is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance, and our Audit Committee is a key part of ensuring that we meet those standards.
Independent Members are non-voting members of the Committee, who assist in overseeing internal and external audit arrangements, reviewing and scrutinising financial statements, and reviewing and assessing the governance, risk management and control of the authority.
Independent Members are expected to actively participate in meetings of the Committee, and demonstrate independence, integrity, objectivity and impartiality in their decision-making. They support the Committee in providing independent assurance to the elected Members of the Authority, and its wider stakeholders.
In order to achieve a broader range of experience on the Committee, the Authority is seeking to appoint an independent member with experience, at a senior level, in the one of the following key areas:
- Local Authority / Public Sector Accounting
- Local Authority / Public Sector Financial Reporting
Candidates with experience in these areas in large private sector organisations will also be considered.
Independent Members will be appointed for an initial period up to 31 March 2029 with the potential for this to be extended for a further three years.
Successful candidates will receive an annual allowance of £1500 and will be expected to attend three Committee meetings per year. Meetings are usually held in person at MRWA’s office at No 1 Mann Island but may occasionally be held vie Teams.
Candidates will also need to be able to commit sufficient time to read Committee papers in advance of these meetings and to undertake occasional training alongside the other Committee members.
Unfortunately, we cannot consider individuals for appointment if they:
- Are currently a Member, Co-opted Member, or an employee or a consultant to MRWA in any capacity, or have been an employee or Elected Member in the last five years;
- Are aware of any potential conflict of interest that could arise in this role, including if you are closely related to, or are a close friend of, any Member or senior officer of the Authority or have a close connection to an Authority supplier.
In addition, to be eligible for appointment, a person must not be disqualified from holding office as a Member of the MRWA or any local authority within Liverpool City Region. Accordingly, any person who is recommended for appointment will be required to confirm that he/she is not disqualified.
To read minutes from previous meetings of the Audit Committee and gain an understanding of what the role entails, please click on the link below:
Current Authority and Committee Meetings – Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority
If you are interested in becoming an Independent Member of the Audit Committee, we would be delighted to hear from you. To apply please send your CV and a supporting statement outlining why you are interested in this opportunity, and how your skills and experience relate to the role to chris.kelsall@merseysidewda.gov.uk no later than Sunday 19th April 2026.
For the person specification or to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Chris Kelsall, Director of Finance, at chris.kelsall@merseysidewda.gov.uk