South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority has an Audit and Governance Committee to promote excellence in governance and financial reporting. The Committee has utilised the expertise and skills of Independent members since 2008, and has a total of three, each serving a maximum tenure of eight years, with an internal appraisal after the first four years.

The Committee currently has a vacancy for one independent member, and is seeking someone with the necessary skills, enthusiasm and commitment to be a member of the Committee and to bring a fresh external perspective to its debates.

This position is not open to employees of the Authority, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service or previous Independent Members and is restricted to applicants living and working in the South Yorkshire area.

Independent Members receive an allowance of £580.49 per annum and reasonable travel expenses. The latter are reimbursed through the completion of an allowance claim form.

Closing date for applications: 1200 hours on Monday 29 September 2025

It is anticipated that interviews will be held Thursday 16 October, however this may be subject to change.

The appointment will be subject to formal ratification by the Fire and Rescue Authority.

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The Role of Audit & Governance Committee

The purpose of the Committee is to provide independent assurance of the effectiveness of:

• the governance arrangements of the Authority
• the Authority’s risk management framework
• the Authority’s financial management processes and the way this relates to the performance of services

Included in this is the oversight of internal and external audit which assist the Audit and Governance Committee in discharging its responsibilities.

Our Arrangements

The Committee meets six times a year (July, September, November, January, March and May), although additional meetings may be called if there is urgent business to be considered. The meetings are held at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Headquarters, 197 Eyre Street, Sheffield, S1 3FG.

Meetings are webcast (live streamed via the internet), and recordings are available for a period of six months.

Some of the meetings are held at the conclusion of the Fire and Rescue Authority meetings, so at approximately 11.30am. However, there are a few stand-alone Audit and Governance Committee meetings that commence at 10.00am. The dates will be provided as part of your Induction pack. Papers are sent out one week before the meeting to allow Members time to read these in preparation.

In addition to the scheduled meetings, a small number of learning and development events are also arranged to assist Members in fulfilling their role.

Knowledge and Skills

The successful applicant will need to have knowledge, skills and expertise of the public sector in respect of finance, audit and governance. Particularly desired are skills and experience in governance, risk and assurance. Of equal importance is the ability to understand the role of the Audit and Governance Committee, and to appropriately and constructively challenge and scrutinise to assist in the continual improvement of the governance of the Fire and Rescue Authority.

Whilst support and full access to the Authority’s Learning and Development Schedule will be provided, the role is challenging and provides a real opportunity to contribute to the governance of the Committee.

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Further details are available from Authority Governance Team, contactable on authoritygov@syfire.gov.uk

If you have the experience and personal qualities to undertake this important role, application forms are available by request from recruitment@syfire.gov.uk

We are committed to cultivating diversity and inclusivity where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. We warmly welcome applications from individuals from Minority Ethnic backgrounds, women, those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT+), and individuals with disabilities. We believe that diversity leads to innovation, creativity, and better decision-making, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Please note the appointment is subject to successful screening i.e. asylum and immigration check, references and a standard level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which includes current and spent criminal records information.