The Governance, Audit and Scrutiny Committee is a key component of the Authority’s corporate governance. It provides an independent and high-level focus on the audit, assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards (and its full terms of reference can be found in the Fire Authority's Constitution).
The purpose of the Committee is to provide independent advice and recommendations to the HFA on the adequacy of the governance and risk management frameworks, internal controls and financial reporting, and internal and external audit, thereby helping to ensure efficient and effective assurance arrangements are in place.
The Committee sets its own scrutiny programme annually, looking at a variety of aspects of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service's work and policy implimentation from the point of view of the communities it serves in order to provide constructive feedback and recommendations to improve the Service.
Membership of the Committee
The Governance, Audit and Scrutiny Committee comprises the following Independent Co-opted Members appointed by the Fire Authority:
Melissa Dearey
Independent Co-opted Member
Over the last 25 years, Melissa’s experience spans a variety of roles in law enforcement at force, regional and inter/national levels and in academia. She currently works in the civil service.
Nigel Saxby
Independent Co-opted Member
Nigel is a qualified accountant with over 30 years’ experience in finance, including in an audit role, having worked in public practice, education and housing sectors. Nigel was also a school governor for over 10 years and was the Chair of a Finance Committee.
Chris Brown (Chair)
Independent Co-opted Member
Chris Brown is a public affairs consultant working mainly in the construction and engineering sectors. He has previously been a board member of the government-owned Queen Elizabetth II Conference Centre, the consumer watchdog London Travelwatch and the Women's Pioneer Housing Association. Chris lives in Pocklington and volunteers with several local community groups.
Gerry Wareham
Independent Co-opted Member
Gerry Wareham is a barrister and member of Gray’s Inn, called to the bar in 1989. He worked for the Crown Prosecution Service for over 35 years, as a prosecutor in London before heading the Northern Branch of the Organised Crime Division in York. From 2007 he was Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North East of England and then later for Yorkshire and Humberside. He retired from the CPS in 2021 and currently sits as a Legally Qualified Chair of tribunals for fitness to practise cases brought against doctors by the General Medical Council. Gerry has lived in Pocklington in the East Riding for over 20 years and is Chair of the Trustees for the local charity Young People Count.
Karen Martin
Independent Co-opted Member
Karen Martin has served Humberside Fire Authority since June 2024, as a Community Fire Service Volunteer. Before that, she acted as a Community Safety Volunteer for Humberside Police for four years. Karen worked for the NHS for over 30 years, ending her career as the Deputy Director Of Quality and Clinical Governance for Hull CCG.