Liverpool City Council has been strengthening the independent expertise available to its Audit Committee, which plays a central role in reviewing governance, risk management, internal control and assurance across the authority.
What the Independent Role Is For
In early 2026 the council advertised for up to five co-opted Independent Technical Advisers to serve on the Audit Committee for three-year terms. The role is designed to add specialist knowledge and reinforce the committee’s political neutrality and independence.
The committee’s responsibilities include examining the council’s governance arrangements, risk framework and controls, as well as providing assurance that public money and decision-making systems are subject to appropriate scrutiny.
Why Independent Scrutiny Matters
Independent advisers do not replace elected councillors or council officers. Their value lies in bringing technical experience that can challenge assumptions, question risk assessments and help the committee test whether assurance arrangements are robust.
- Reviewing governance and control frameworks.
- Helping scrutinise financial and operational risk.
- Bringing external audit or public-sector expertise.
- Supporting stronger challenge where specialist knowledge is needed.
The previous version of this article stated that two new members had already joined and that the committee now had three independent voices. We could not verify those exact appointment numbers in a current council source, so the article has been reframed around the council’s documented recruitment and governance structure.
Source
Liverpool City Council: Independent Technical Adviser to Audit Committee.
