Good Governance Consultation: Implications for Police and Coordination

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1 Good Governance Consultation: Implications for Police and Coordination with other Initiatives Diana Melville, CIPFA Alison Dewhirst, CIPFA

2 Areas to cover Consultation on governance framework Forthcoming developments: Devolution and implications for police Closer working with emergency services

3 Introducing the proposed governance framework Reflects current thinking Based on International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector (CIPFA/IFAC, 2014) Opportunity to adapt for changes in sector

4 Consultation process CIPFA/Solace working group Police representatives Consultation ended 28 September Timetable meeting 12 October Local authorities, including police and fire

5 Definition of governance Governance comprises the arrangements put in place to ensure that the intended outcomes for stakeholders are defined and achieved. To deliver good governance in the public sector, both governing bodies and individuals working for public sector entities must try to achieve their entity s objectives while acting in the public interest at all times.

6 Outline of the framework

7 Applying the principles: principle A A.Behaving with integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values, and respecting the rule of law. It is essential that, as a whole, they can demonstrate the appropriateness of all their actions and have mechanisms in place to encourage and enforce adherence to ethical values and to respect the rule of law.

8 Principle B B. Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement Clear, trusted channels of communication and consultation should be used to engage effectively with all groups of stakeholders, such as individual citizens and service users, as well as institutional stakeholders.

9 Principle C C. Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable economic, social, and environmental benefits. Decisions should further the authority s purpose, contribute to intended benefits and outcomes, and remain within the limits of authority and resources.

10 Principle D D. Determining the interventions necessary to optimise the achievement of the intended outcomes. Determining the right mix of interventions is a critically important strategic choice that authorities have to make to ensure they achieve their intended outcomes.

11 Principle E E. Developing the entity s capacity, including the capability of its leadership and the individuals within it. Local authorities need appropriate structures and leadership, as well as people with the right skills, appropriate qualifications and mindset, to operate efficiently and effectively and achieve their intended outcomes within the specified periods.

12 Principle F F. Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management. Risk management and internal control are important and integral parts of a performance management system and crucial to the achievement of outcomes.

13 Principle G G. Implementing good practices in transparency, reporting, and audit to deliver effective accountability. Effective accountability is concerned not only with reporting on actions completed, but also ensuring that stakeholders are able to understand and respond as the organisation plans and carries out its activities in a transparent manner.

14 Force management statements Sir Tom Winsor wrote to PCCs and chief constables on 10 July with proposals for force management statements. CIPFA is working with HMIC and other stakeholders on dovetailing with the requirements of: Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework accompanying guidance note for police (to be updated soon) annual governance statement requirements as set out in the Accounts and Audit Regulations /17 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom Invitation to Comment.

15 Consultation questions your views Would you find the principles easy to follow? What further guidance would you like? What would help you to adopt the new framework? Do you see any difficulties?

16 Devolution, collaboration and integration Governance risks: Lack of clarity Playing catch-up Decision-making and access to high quality, timely information Blurred accountability Conflicts of interest

17 Developments to watch Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill: Elected mayors and PCC? Provision for combined authorities to have overview and scrutiny committees and audit committees.

18 Developments to watch Enabling closer working between the emergency services: Annual governance arrangements. Police guidance note may need further update to include fire and rescue services where governance arrangements change. Governance issues, depending upon the model adopted. Likely to be a more mixed economy of governance arrangements. Accounting and finance issues.

19 Contact us: CIPFA consultation Diana Melville Alison Dewhirst