Article 14 Audit committeesI1

In appointing members to an audit committee a combined authority F1or, as the case may be, combined county authority, must ensure that the members of the committee taken as a whole reflect so far as reasonably practicable the balance of political parties for the time being prevailing among members of the constituent councils when taken together.

An audit committee appointed by F2that authority may not include any officer of that authority or of a constituent council.

A combined authority F3or, as the case may be, combined county authority, must appoint to an audit committee at least one independent person.

For the purposes of appointments under paragraph (3), a person is independent if the person—

A person may not be appointed under paragraph (3) unless—

A person appointed under paragraph (3) does not cease to be independent as a result of being paid any amounts by way of allowances or expenses in connection with performing the duties of the appointment.

The combined authority F11or, as the case may be, combined county authority, must determine a minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting of the audit committee before business may be transacted, to be no fewer than two-thirds of the total number of members of the audit committee.