Policy Code of Corporate Governance

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7. Principle F

Principle F – Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management

We will:

  • Recognise that risk management is an integral part of all activities and must be considered in all aspects of decision making.
  • Implement robust and integrated risk management arrangements and ensure that they are working effectively.
  • Ensure that responsibilities for managing individual risks are clearly allocated.
  • Monitor service delivery effectively including planning, specification, execution and independent post implementation review.
  • Making decisions based on relevant, clear objective analysis and advice pointing out the implications and risks inherent in the Council’s financial, social and environmental position and outlook.
  • Ensure an effective scrutiny and overview function is in place which provides constructive challenge and debate on policies and objectives before, during and after decisions are made thereby enhancing the Council’s performance and that of any organisation for which it is responsible.
  • Providing members and senior management with regular reports on service delivery plans and on progress towards outcome achievement.
  • Ensuring there is consistency between specification stages (such as budgets) and post implementation reporting (for example financial statements).
  • Align the risk management strategy and policies on internal control with achieving objectives.
  • Evaluate and monitor risk management and internal control on a regular basis.
  • Ensure effective counter fraud and anti-corruption arrangements are in place.
  • Ensure additional assurance on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the framework of governance, risk management and control is provided by the internal auditor.
  • Ensure an audit committee or equivalent group/ function, which is independent of the Cabinet and accountable to the Council;
    • provides a further source of effective assurance regarding arrangements for managing risk and maintaining an effective control environment,
    • that its recommendations are listened to and acted upon.
    • Ensure effective arrangements are in place for the safe collection, storage, use and sharing of data, including processes to safeguard personal data.
    • Ensure effective arrangements are in place and operating effectively when sharing data with other bodies.
    • Review and audit regularly the quality and accuracy of data used in decision making and performance monitoring.
    • Ensure financial management supports both long term achievement of outcomes and short-term financial and operational performance.
    • Ensure well-developed financial management is integrated at all levels of planning and control, including management of financial risks and controls.

When this policy has been published and will be reviewed

Policy published 9 January 2017 Last updated 19 August 2021