New audit members

Two new independent members have been appointed to Baw Baw Shire’s audit committee.

Council has approved the appointments of Teresa Glab and David Ashmore.

Both have been appointed for three year terms with the options to extend their terms to a second three year tenure.

The audit committee members will each receive a sitting fee of $1100 per meeting, unless appointed to the position of chair which will increase to $1300 per meeting.

The audit committee is a formally appointed independent advisory committee of council.

The committee’s role is to report to council and provide advice and recommendations to facilitate decision making.

The committee meets four to five times a year to review significant accounting and reporting issues, review management and external audits and monitor council’s strategic risks.

A report to council said one of the audit committee’s term had expired so council sought to fill the vacancy.

Crs Danny Goss and Joe Gauci, along with members of the executive leadership team reviewed each application and short listed three applicants.

The recruitment panel recommended council appoint two new members.

Council also agreed to amend the audit committee charter to include four independent members.

Cr Goss said it was an extremely important committee and important appointment.

Cr Goss also acknowledged the work and contribution of Michael Said who had been on the committee for six years and certainly knew his local government audit role very well.

Cr Goss said there were 18 applications for the position and the three people interviewed were outstanding.