Corporate Governance is the term used to describe the system by which Local Authorities direct and control their functions and relate to their communities. Governance is about how the Council ensures that it is doing the right things, in the right way, for the right people in a timely, inclusive, open, honest and accountable manner.

The Council has adopted a local Code of Corporate Governance, which has been prepared in line with principles of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) framework for Delivering Good Governance in Local Government.

The Code of Corporate Governance sets out the principles of good governance and what arrangements it has in place to ensure that the Council conducts its business in accordance with the law and proper standards, and that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted for and used economically, efficiently and effectively.

Please see a copy of the Council's Code of Corporate Governance (pdf 221kb)

The Code of Corporate Governance includes a diagram at Annex 1 which sets out the Governance Framework and illustrates the key documents and processes it has in place to support the delivery of good governance across the Council. 

Please see a copy of the Code of Governance Framework (pdf 45kb).

Annual Governance Statement

Each year the Council undertakes a review of its corporate governance arrangements to assess how well they are operating in practice.  An Annual Governance Statement is produced which summarises the review and includes an action plan for any areas for improvement. The action plan also includes any governance issues which need to be addressed in the coming year.

The Annual Governance Statement (pdf 188kb) is reported to the Audit and Accounts Committee in June each year.