Independent Member

Job reference - N/A

Closing date:

Friday 5 June

Under the Localism Act, 2011, Fire Authorities are required to appoint an ‘Independent Merson’ as part of their arrangements in the promotion and maintenance of high standards of conduct affecting its Elected Members.

Cheshire Fire Authority is seeking to appoint an Independent Merson and applications are therefore invited from members of the public, with an interest in the proper and effective ethical governance of a public organisation.

The allowance for an Independent Member is £1505.23. Reasonable travel expenses will be payable.

The Independent Members is not member of the Fire Authority, they are unelected and have an advisory role. The Authority benefits from the input of independent members (non-political, non-councillors) who act in an advisory capacity. The Independent Member would sit on the Governance and Constitution Committee, the Performance and Overview Committee and Member Training and Development Group.

You will be expected to attend 26 meetings per year and will also be invited to a range of service events throughout the year, which we encourage you to take part in.

If you have been an Employee, Elected member, Officer of the Fire Authority or a relative or close friend of such persons in the last five years you are not eligible to apply.

Important dates to note:

Friday 5 June - Application closing date
w/c 8 June - Shortlisting
17 and 18 June - Interviews

Application form

Completed applications should be returned no later than Friday 5 June 2026 and emailed or sent to:

Melissa Andrews
Head of Governance (Monitoring Officer)
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters
Sadler Road
Winsford
CW7 2FQ

melissa.andrews@cheshirefire.gov.uk

Successful candidates will be subject to a standard DBS.

Eligibility

Some individuals are unable to apply. The Localism Act 2011 contains some restrictions and the Fire Authority has determined some additional restrictions. If you are caught by any of these restrictions you should not apply.

The Localism Act states that some people are not independent and therefore cannot act as Independent Persons:
Members, Co-opted Members and Officers of the Fire Authority

(Any of these individuals are unable to be Independent Persons until 5 years has elapsed after they have ceased to be a Member, Co-opted Member, or Officer of the Fire Authority)

Relatives 1 of a Member, Co-opted Member, or Officer of the Fire Authority

Close friends 2 of a Member, Co-opted Member, or Officer of the Fire Authority

Notes

1 The Localism Act 2011 defines a ‘relative’ as someone who is:-

a) the other person’s spouse or civil partner,
b) living with the other person as husband and wife or as if they were civil partners,
c) a grandparent of the other person,
d) a lineal descendant of a grandparent of the other person,
e) a parent, sibling or child of a person within paragraph a) or b),
f) the spouse or civil partner of a person within paragraph c), d) or e), or
g) living with a person with in paragraph c), d) or e) as husband and wife or as if they were civil partners.

2 ‘Close friend’ is not defined in the legislation. However, the definition of ‘close associated of yours’ in the Members’ Code of Conduct is a suitable reference point.

Cheshire Fire Authority has also determined that some people cannot be Independent Persons:
Members of: Cheshire East Council; Cheshire West and Chester Council; Halton Borough Council; or Warrington Borough Council.

Relatives or close friends of Members of these Councils (relying on the definitions referred to above).

Criminal convictions may be relevant to appointment decisions.

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