Appointment of Independent Chairperson of Audit & Scrutiny Committee

Argyll and Bute Council · 19 May 2022
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL
LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT                19 MAY 2022
Appointment of Independent Chairperson of Audit and Scrutiny Committee 
1. INTRODUCTION 
1.1 
1.2 
1.3 
1.4
This report outlines the position with respect to the appointment of an independent
Chair of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee. 
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. 
The appointment of the current chair, Martin Caldwell, is due to expire on 30th June
2022.  In the event of Council agreeing to maintain similar political management
arrangements it is proposed that the Council extend the appointment of Martin
Caldwell for a further 9 months in order to maintain continuity in transition
arrangements for a new council and to commence a recruitment process for a
replacement chairperson. 
Mr Caldwell has confirmed he would accept the Council’s invitation to continue to
chair the Audit and Scrutiny Committee for this period and looks forward to
contributing and supporting the independent assurance and scrutiny arrangements
of the Council. 
2. RECOMMENDATIONS 
2.1  It is recommended that the council: 
a) Agree to extend the appointment of Martin Caldwell until the 31st March
2023 to chair the Audit and Scrutiny Committee. 
b) Agree to delegate responsibility for instigating a recruitment process for a
new independent chair to the Chief Executive and Executive Directors in
consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Depute Leader of the
Council and the Leader of the largest Opposition Group. 
c) To note that any final decision on appointment to the position of
Chairperson will be a matter for Council.   
3. DETAIL 
3.1  Martin Caldwell was appointed to the role of Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee
following agreement of the Council in August 2010 and was then appointed to

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3.2 
3.3 
3.4
Chair by the Appointments Panel, through delegated powers of the Council, in
February 2013. His term office is due to expire on 30 June 2022.  
In order to secure continuity of chairmanship it is proposed that the current term
of office be extended until 31st March 2023 to support transition arrangements
for the new council and to facilitate arrangements for recruitment of a
replacement Chairperson.   
Mr Caldwell has confirmed he would accept the Council’s invitation to continue to
chair the Audit and Scrutiny Committee and looks forward to contributing and
supporting the independent assurance and scrutiny arrangements of the Council.
In agreeing to this the Council has retained the valuable knowledge and
experience of a non-councillor member. 
There is no remuneration for this appointment beyond the reimbursement of
expenses. 
3.5 The Council is is invited to delegate arrangements for the recruitment process to
identify a replacement Chairperson to the Chief Executive and Executive
Directors in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Depute Leader of the
Council and the Leader of the largest Opposition Group. In accordance with the
Council Constitution the approval of such an appointment is a matter reserved
for Council and as such will be reported back to Council in due course.  
4. CONCLUSION 
4.1 It is recommended that In order to secure continuity of independent chairmanship
of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee that the current term of office for Martin
Caldwell be extended until 31st March 2023. This will support transition
arrangements for the new council and facilitate arrangements for recruitment of
a replacement Chairperson.   
5.0  IMPLICATIONS 
5.1 Policy – None directly but the appointment of an independent chair is recognised
as good practice and promotes openness and transparency.  
5.2 Financial – There is no remuneration package associated with this appointment,
with the exception of reasonable travelling and subsistence expenses.  
5.3 HR – None 
5.4 Fairer Scotland Duty:
Equal Opportunities – None 
Socio Economic Duty – None known.
Islands - none
5.5 Legal – None.

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5.6 Risk – None. 
5.7  Customer Service – None. 
Douglas Hendry
Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support
12th May 2022                                                  
For further information contact: David Logan, Head of Legal and Regulatory
Support, Tel: 01546 604322 email: David.Logan@argyll-bute.gov.uk