Lcal Cde Of Crprate Gvernance Apprved by Jint Cmmittee 26 June 2017 Reprt N JC 09/2017
LOCAL CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INTRODUCTION Crprate gvernance is the cmbinatin f prcesses and structures implemented by the gverning bdy in rder t infrm, direct, manage and maintain the activities f the rganisatin tward the achievement f its bjectives (Cadbury Reprt, 1992). Crprate gvernance is abut hw an rganisatin ensures that it is ding the right things, in the right way, fr the right peple, in a timely, inclusive, pen and hnest and accuntable manner. It is made up f the systems, prcesses, cultures and values, by which the rganisatin is directed and cntrlled and thrugh which it accunts t, engages with and delivers high quality services when and where peple need them. Tayside Cntracts strives t meet the highest standards f crprate gvernance in everything we d and, as identified in ur business plan, we are cmmitted t fllwing the six cre principles f crprate gvernance as identified by the Nlan Cmmittee and endrsed by CIPFA/Slace (Delivering Gd Gvernance in Lcal Gvernment). Cre principles: Gd gvernance means: fcusing n the rganisatin s purpse and n utcmes fr citizens and services users. perfrming effectively in clearly defined functins and rles prmting values fr the whle rganisatin and demnstrating the values f gd gvernance thrugh behaviur. taking infrmed, transparent decisins and managing risk. develping the capacity and capability f the gverning bdy t be effective. engaging stakehlders and making accuntability real. THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE LOCAL CODE T cmply with the principles f crprate gvernance, it is imprtant that the principles are reflected in all parts f Tayside Cntracts business. Fr Tayside Cntracts the Lcal Cde f Crprate Gvernance cnsists f five main elements: Cmmunity Fcus Service Delivery Arrangements Structures and Prcesses Risk Management and Internal Cntrl Standards f Cnduct 1 Apprved by Jint Cmmittee 26 June 2017 Reprt N JC 09/2017
COMMUNITY FOCUS In carrying ut its duties and respnsibilities Tayside Cntracts will: Exercise leadership, where apprpriate, in dealing with the lcal cmmunity thrugh the services it prvides t its three cnstituent Cuncils, namely, Angus Cuncil, Dundee City Cuncil and Perth and Kinrss Cuncil. Wrk fr and with the lcal cmmunity thrugh the services it prvides t the cnstituent Cuncils Develp a clear visin and business plan in respnse t crprate needs Demnstrate integrity in its dealings in building effective relatinships and partnerships with the cnstituent Cuncils, ther public agencies and the private sectr. Ensure penness in the way in which it cnducts all aspects f its business, subject nly t the need t preserve cnfidentially in thse specific circumstances where it is prper and apprpriate t d s. Put in place prper arrangements fr the independent review f financial and peratinal reprting prcesses. Publish n a timely basis, an annual reprt presenting an bjective and understandable accunt f: Activities and achievements Financial psitin and perfrmance Imprvement targets Publish, n a timely basis, an annual perfrmance reprt presenting an bjective, balanced and understandable accunt and assessment f: Current perfrmance in service delivery Plans t maintain and imprve service quality SERVICE DELIVERY ARRANGMENTS Tayside Cntracts will: Set standards and targets fr perfrmance in the delivery f services n a sustainable basis and with reference t equality and ther emplyment plicies. Put in place arrangements t allcate resurces accrding t pririties. 2 Apprved by Jint Cmmittee 26 June 2017 Reprt N JC 09/2017
Deliver cst effective in-huse quality services t the cnstituent Cuncils. Demnstrate the cst effectiveness f the services prvided thrugh benchmarking with recgnised rganisatins e.g. APSE and by cmplying with the best value criteria as set by each f the cnstituent Cuncils. Cntinually review services t assess and identify pprtunities fr imprvement. Fster effective relatinships and partnerships with the cnstituent Cuncils, ther public agencies and the private sectr. Respnd psitively t the findings and recmmendatin f external auditrs, internal auditrs and ther apprpriate bdies and will put in place arrangements fr the effective implementatin f agreed actins. STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES Tayside Cntracts will: Adpt the dcumented prtcls gverning the relatinship between member and fficers which exist in the cnstituent Cuncils relevant t each Cuncil s members. Ensure the relative rles and respnsibilities f senir fficers are clearly defined. Dcument its structures and prcedures and ensure that these are cmmunicated and understd t demnstrate penness and inclusivity. Ensure that these structures and prcesses are kept up t date and adapted as and when necessary t meet change. Ensure that there is prper scrutiny and review f all aspects f perfrmance and effectiveness. RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL Tayside Cntracts will: Ensure risk management is nt regarded as a separate prcess, but rather is embedded int crprate and peratinal management prcesses and activities thrugh budgets, service plans and nging mnitring, perfrmance review and reprting activities. Develp and maintain rbust systems fr identifying and evaluating all significant risks, with the pr-active participatin f all thse assciated with planning and delivering services. 3 Apprved by Jint Cmmittee 26 June 2017 Reprt N JC 09/2017
Display penness and inclusivity thrugh the invlvement f thse assciated with the planning and delivery f services, including partners. Include mechanisms t ensure that the risk management and cntrl prcess is mnitred fr cmpliance and that changes are accmmdated. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT Tayside Cntracts will: Exercise leadership by cnducting itself as a rle mdel fr thers t fllw. Ensure that standards f cnduct and persnal behaviur expected f all emplyees are defined and cmmunicated thrugh cdes f cnduct and prtcls. Put in place arrangements that ensure: accuntability, thrugh establishing systems fr investigating breaches and disciplinary prblems and taking actin where apprpriate (including arrangements fr redress). effectiveness, thrugh mnitring cmpliance. integrity, by ensuring bjectivity and impartiality are maintained in all relatinships. penness and inclusivity, thrugh the dcumentatin f standards, and their regular review. DELIVERY OF OUTCOMES Tayside Cntracts will deliver these utcmes thrugh: Annually defining a series f lcal prcedures and practices which tgether create the framewrk fr gd crprate gvernance as described in the CIPFA/SOLACE Framewrk Crprate Gvernance in Lcal Gvernment: A Keystne fr Cmmunity Gvernance. Nminating a lead fficer fr each, wh will be respnsible fr assessing effectiveness in practice. Nminating a member f the Crprate Management Team (CMT) as the Crprate Gvernance Champin, respnsible fr pulling tgether assessments frm lead fficers and reprting t the CMT n the verall picture, making recmmendatins fr actin as apprpriate. Annual reprting t members n the Tayside Cntracts Jint Cmmittee. 4 Apprved by Jint Cmmittee 26 June 2017 Reprt N JC 09/2017
Prducing an Assurance Statement n the extent t which the lcal cde has been adhered t and the actins required where, adherence has nt been achieved. KEY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The key Tayside Cntracts plicies and prcedures that cmprise the cre f this prcess are listed belw: Standing Orders Financial Regulatins Effective Human Resurces Plicies Emplyee Charter Cnfidential Disclsure f Infrmatin Equality and Diversity Anti-Fraud and Crruptin Risk Management Strategy Cmmunicatin Strategy Leadership and Management Develpment Strategy Business Cntinuity and Resilience Partnership Perfrmance Management Framewrk Cde f Cnduct (Officers) Health and Safety Infrmatin Security Prcurement Strategy Quality Envirnmental Crprate Waste Management 5 Apprved by Jint Cmmittee 26 June 2017 Reprt N JC 09/2017