Mid Beds Local Code of Governance
What is Corporate Governance?
Corporate Governance in Local Government is the systems by which an Authority directs and controls their functions, and relate to their community. Good Corporate Governance is essential in demonstrating there is credibility and confidence in the public services we provide. Sound arrangements are founded upon openness, integrity and accountability together with the overarching concept of leadership.
The purpose of a Local Code of Governance
This Code of Governance is a single document that aims:
- To serve as a management tool for reviewing and monitoring existing corporate governance arrangements;
- To ensure evidence about our governance arrangements e.g. for “Use of Resources” assessment, and Annual Governance Statement, etc. is available.
- To help develop plans for improving arrangements for corporate governance.
Our commitment to Corporate Governance
Mid Beds District Council is committed to having sound Corporate Governance arrangements. The development and maintenance of a Local Code of Governance will assist in achieving this aim.
This Code of Governance assists in demonstrating good governance of the Council’s affairs, and that the stewardship of the resources at its disposal are effective. This Code of Governance will be reviewed periodically, to ensure it remains up to date.
To ensure that our Code of Governance and our assessment of our compliance, against a CIPFA / SOLACE checklist is widely available, the results will be published on the Mid Beds District Council web page. This Local Code of Governance and the latest version of our self assessment of our Governance arrangements can be found below.
Corporate Governance Appendix A - March 2008
This Code states:- in Section (4) What our Governance arrangements are measured against; (5) Who will assess our Governance arrangements; (6) How will an assessment of our governance arrangements be made; (7) How will we monitor our Governance arrangements;
What our Governance arrangements are measured against
The Council will make use of the six core and supporting principles of good governance, as identified in the CIPFA / SOLACE framework, to assess our governance arrangements. The six core principles are:-
- Focusing on the purpose of the Authority and on outcomes for the community and creating and implementing a vision for the local area.
- Members and Officers working together to achieve a common purpose with clearly defined functions and roles
- Promoting values for the Authority and demonstrating the values of good governance through upholding high standards of conduct and behaviour.
- Taking informed and transparent decisions which are subject to effective scrutiny and managing risk
- Developing the capacity and capability of Members and Officers to be effective
- Engaging with local people and other stakeholders to ensure robust public accountability.
For each of these six core principles, there are supporting principles, and our assessment against these are measured against a CIPFA / SOLACE checklist.
Who will assess our Governance arrangements?
A Corporate Group of Senior Officers, consisting of:- the Deputy Chief Executive; Director of Corporate & Democratic Services; Chief Finance Officer; Corporate Policy Manager; and Audit Manager, who meet formally on a six monthly cycle to assess our Governance arrangements.
How will an assessment of our governance arrangements be made?
An assessment against the CIPFA / SOLACE checklist is carried out, whereby a responsible Officer for each supporting principle on the checklist is identified; The Documents / Processes and other means used to measure compliance with the supporting principle are assessed, with a score between 0 – 10 determined. For information a score between 1 – 6 indicates an “unacceptable” level of compliance with the supporting principle; A score of 7 indicates the documents/processes are “Partially” compliant with the supporting principle; A score of 8 indicates the documents/processes are “Substantially” compliant with the supporting principle; A score of 9 indicates documents/processes are “Practically” compliant with the supporting principle; A score of 10 indicates documents/processes are “Fully” compliant with the supporting principle. Although the scores awarded are judgmental, they are determined through robust discussion by the corporate group. In addition, any comments / plans for improvement are noted on the checklist, for subsequent review.
How will we monitor our Governance arrangements?
Monitoring occurs when the results of the self assessment exercise determined by the corporate group are reported to, and discussed by Management Team. This assists with ensuring Corporate ownership of this self assessment document. The results of this self assessment being reported to the Audit Committee, and then published on the Mid Beds District Council web page, so that it is widely available.
Review of this self assessment document occurs on a six monthly cycle, whereby documents/evidence, scores and actions to implement noted improvements are reviewed by the Corporate Group. This helps assess whether appropriate governance arrangements are in place or further improvements are needed.
The Monitoring Officer, (Director of Corporate and Democratic Services) is responsible for overseeing, monitoring and reviewing the operation of this Code of Governance. Also, reporting on compliance with this Code in the Annual Governance Statement, highlighting any changes needed, to further improve arrangements, to ensure sound governance arrangements are in place, and are effective.
