Merton Council has appointed Alexa Downie-Ngini as an Independent Member of the Governance, Standards and Audit Committee for a four-year term. The appointment aims to enhance the committee's effectiveness and impartiality by providing external expertise and assurance over the council's internal controls and governance, as recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
The decision was made at the Council meeting on 17 September 2025, following a recommendation from the Governance Standards and Audit Committee. The then Standards and General Purposes Committee had previously agreed to co-opt an Independent Member to provide advice on audit functions. The formal need for this role was established in March 2025, following the transition to the Governance Standards and Audit Committee.
According to the Public Reports Pack, Councillors Martin Whelton, John Oliver, Nick McLean and Edward Foley comprised the interview panel that considered applications and conducted interviews on 10 April 2025. The panel recommended Alexa Downie-Ngini for the role, a decision endorsed by the Governance Standards and Audit Committee on 3 July 2025.
The council was asked to agree the appointment of Alexa Downie-Ngini as the Independent Member for a period of four years, as recommended by the Governance Standards and Audit Committee.
The Council- Covering Report September 2025 stated that the appointment aligns with the council's strategic priorities by underpinning good governance, which is essential for the council's reputation and public confidence.
The Independent Member will be remunerated at £100 per meeting, with the committee meeting approximately four times per year. The Independent Member's responsibilities include providing advice on the committee's audit functions, offering external expertise, and challenging the council's internal control framework.