Two new independent members have been appointed to Liverpool City Council’s Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee oversees the council’s governance, risk management and internal control and plays a key role in effective challenge and assurance.
There are a total of three independent members, who provide real world expertise from their work in the audit and risk management sectors.
Lynda Elezi has worked in internal audit for over 20 years, primarily providing assurance, governance and risk management services across the public sector. Throughout her career she has supported a range of government organisations and has extensive experience of auditing publicly funded programmes, including the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. She is a Chartered Internal Auditor with the Institute of Internal Auditors and holds a Master’s in Internal Audit Management and Consultancy.
Jon Daley has over 17 years’ experience working within complex, highly regulated environments. His expertise spans corporate governance, enterprise risk management, strategic asset management, organisational transformation, regulatory compliance, investment planning and performance improvement, with a strong focus on balancing commercial stewardship with positive social impact.
Paul McLoughlin is the third independent member of the committee and joined at the start of 2025/26. He spent his career working in external and internal audit, risk management and assurance in the public and third sector, including local authorities, social housing providers, the Church of England and the British Transport Police.
Over the last year, the council has strengthened its audit and assurance arrangements with new senior appointments to the audit, assurance and corporate risk teams, whilst the accounts for 2025/26 have also been completed ahead of many other councils.
Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor Richard Clein, said: “The appointment of more independent members was one of my priorities on becoming Chair in 2023.
“Each of them brings valuable skills and experience that not only strengthen the committee’s ability to provide effective assurance but also reinforce its political neutrality and independence.
“By providing constructive challenge, the independent members, alongside elected members of the committee, have played a significant role in its transformation.
“Together, they have played their part in supporting the council’s commitment to a culture of transparency, openness and accountability.”
Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Transformation, Councillor Ruth Bennett, said: “Challenge and scrutiny are the hallmarks of an organisation focused on continuous improvement, and I welcome the appointment of the new independent members of the Audit Committee.
“As an administration, we have made tremendous strides over the last three years in strengthening our internal audit, risk management and governance procedures but we are not complacent and from our perspective the improvement journey never ends.”
