Local code of corporate governance
The council’s code of corporate governance is based on the CIPFA/SOLACE publication “Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework 2016”.
Contents
- Introduction
- Core principles
- How the council ensures good governance
- Examples of the council's commitment to achieving good governance in practice
Introduction
The International Framework defines Governance as arrangements put in place to ensure that the intended outcomes for stakeholders are defined and achieved. The framework goes on to state to deliver good governance in the public sector both governing bodies and individuals working for them must aim to achieve their entity’s objectives while acting in the public interest at all times.
Leicester City Council is committed to the principles of good corporate governance as identified in the CIPFA/SOLACE guidance. Its commitment is confirmed through the adoption of its Local Code of Corporate Governance and its publication of the Annual Governance Statement.
This document sets out Leicester City Council’s Local Code of Corporate Governance for 2022/23 and the processes for monitoring its effectiveness. The Code provides the framework for the Council to achieve its aims and objectives.
Core principles
The Council’s Code of Corporate Governance is based on the seven core principles. The list and illustration below shows the principles of good governance in the public sector and how they relate to each other.
Achieving the intended outcomes while acting in the public interest at all times
a. Behaving with integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values, and respecting the rule of law
b. Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement
Principles A and B are the core behaviours that are spread throughout the successful implementation of principles C – G
c. Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits
d. Determining the interventions necessary to optimise the achievement of the intended outcomes
e. Developing the entity's capacity, including the capability of its leadership and the individuals within it
f. Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management
g. Implementing good practices in transparency, reporting, and audit to deliver effective accountability
How the council ensures good governance
The following details how the council ensures good governance and complies with the CIPFA/SOLACE “Delivering Good Governance Framework” (2016)
Behaving with Integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values, and respecting the rule of law
We have the following codes and rules which are followed:
- Constitution
- Financial Procedure Rules
- Code of Conduct for Members
- Code of Conduct for Employees
- Anti-fraud, Bribery & Corruption Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Information Governance & Risk Policy
Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement
We show openness and engagement through the following:
- Open Council & committee meetings with published minutes
- Published Executive Decisions
- Scrutiny of Executive projects through commissions
- Call in periods for Executive decisions
- Public engagement through consultation, representations and petitions
- Use of social media engagement on key projects and partnership working
- Publication of Freedom of Information Act responses and transparency data
Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits
The City Mayor has set out a strategic vision in terms of a number of key pledges which relate to:
- A Fair City
- Homes for All
- Connecting Leicester
- Sustainable Leicester
- Health and Care
- Lifelong Learning
- A City to Enjoy
- A Safe and Inclusive City
Determining the interventions necessary to optimise the achievement of the intended outcomes
The key pledges are supported by the following key plans:
- Economic Recovery Plan
- Budget Strategy
- COVID-19 Reopening Plan for the City
- COVID-19 Transport Recovery Plan
- Leicester Street Design Guide
- Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy
- Knife Crime and Serious Violence Strategy
- Local Transport Plan
- Tourism Action Plan
- Economic Action Plan
- St George’s Cultural Quarter Action Plan
Examples of the council's commitment to achieving good governance in practice
Principle: Developing the entity’s capacity, including the capability of its leadership and the individuals within it
The council is supported by:
- Democratic services including Member and Civic Support Services, who also support member development
- An Organisational Development Team, who ensure effective development of employees
- A communications functions which includes PR, Media and Digital Media Teams
- A staff intranet and established internal communication channels, which provide guidance to staff
- Partnership working on key priorities
- An Information Governance Team to support our data policies
- Specialist teams offering professional advice, for example Legal, Procurement, IT and Finance
Principle: Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management
We review processes and delivery throughout the year supported by:
- Internal Audit
- External Audit
- Information Governance
- Audit and Risk Committee
- Regular reporting of Capital and Revenue spend during a year
- Annual review of the Local Code of Corporate Governance
- Annual review of the Assurance Framework
Principle: Implementing good practices in transparency, reporting, and audit to deliver effective accountability
How the council demonstrates good practice and ensures accountability:
- External Audit
- Annual Financial Statements
- Annual Governance Statement
- Open Council & committee meetings with published minutes
- Compliance with CIPFA codes of Practices
- Scrutiny Committees
- External inspections and reviews of services
Additional information on many of the areas detailed above can be found on our website.
Annual review of good governance
Every year we produce an annual governance statement (AGS) that is published as part of our statement of accounts. The AGS shows how we comply with the code of corporate governance. View our statement of accounts.