INDEPENDENT members are needed to join a committee that casts an eye over a council's financial and governance processes.

Durham County Council needs to appoint two new co-opted members to its audit committee for three years from May 1.

The role of the committee is to approve the authority’s final accounts and advise full council and cabinet on audit and governance issues.

It aims to provide independent and effective assurance about the adequacy of financial management and reporting, and the management of other processes.

They will serve alongside nine elected county councillors and should be completely independent of the council, politically independent and well qualified to discharge the functions.

Successful candidates will attend six or seven meetings a year and training sessions and can claim reasonable travel expenses.

For application forms and details email democraticservices@durham.gov.uk

The closing date is March 31.