Appointment of Independent Audit and Scrutiny Committee Chairperson
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT 26 NOVEMBER 2025 APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Since May 2017 the Council has had in place as part of its Political Management Arrangements an Audit and Scrutiny Committee with a Chairperson independent of the Council. This is an unremunerated position and has provided for the appointment of an experienced individual with subject matter expertise in matters relating to audit and scrutiny functions. 1.2 The current Chairperson, Janice Wason Hall was appointed to the role in February 2024 for a period of two years. This report seeks agreement from Council to extend the current appointment until the end of September 2027. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 Council is asked to agree to extend the current appointment of Janice Wason Hall as Independent Chairperson of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee until the end of September 2027. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 Following a recruitment process which was conducted in late 2023, Janice Wason Hall was appointed to the position of Independent Chairperson of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee in February 2024 for an initial period of two years. 3.2 The previous Chairperson, Martin Caldwell, provided a mentoring role to Ms Hall in the initial period of her appointment. Since her appointment, Ms Hall has proved to be an effective Chair for the Committee. Ms Hall has indicated to officers that she would be happy to extend the term of her current appointment until the end of September 2027. This would provide some continuity in the role over the period of the next Local Government Elections which are scheduled for May 2027.
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4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 The current Chair of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, Janice Wason Hall, was appointed for a period of two years as of February 2024. Ms Hall has indicated to officers that she would be content to extend her appointment to the end of September 2027. Council is therefore asked to agree to extend the appointment until the end of September 2027. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – the appointment is in line with the Council Constitution which sets out the membership of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee and details that the Chairperson will be Independent of the Council. 5.2 Financial – this role is voluntary but relevant expenses would be reimbursed. 5.3 Legal – none 5.4 HR – none 5.5 Customer Service – none 5.6 Risk – none 5.7 Climate Change – none 5.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – none 5.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – none 5.10 Consumer Duty – none 5.11 Island Communities – none 5.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – none Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support Policy Lead – Councillor Mark Irvine 30 September 2025 For further information contact: Shona Barton, Governance Manager (01436 657605) shona.barton@argyll-bute.gov.uk