Corporate Governance Committee work programme and equality objective

Report: 15
Date: 15 June 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

This report outlines a workplan by which the committee will fulfil its role as agreed in its terms of reference.

A. Recommendation

That

1. the Corporate Governance Committee agrees the proposed work programme; and
2. agrees to retain the equality objective for the Committee.

B. Supporting information

Terms of reference

1. The Corporate Governance Committee terms of reference are set out at Appendix 1.

Summary of work programme

2. Below can be found a table outlining a proposed work plan for the Corporate Governance Committee:

Monday 14 September 2009 10.00 am

• Audit
  • Internal Audit quarterly progress report
  • External audit reports (if any)
  • Annual Governance Statement – quarterly update
  • Outstanding high-risk internal audit recommendations
• Corporate Governance
  • Corporate governance framework – quarterly update
  • Reporting Wrongdoing in the MPS
  • Implementing Financial reporting standards – update
  • Treasury Management Control Framework
  • Gifts and hospitality MPS and MPA reports
• Health and Safety
  • Update on health and safety performance in the MPS
  • Annual report from the HR Evaluation Unit on the results of their evaluation of health and safety issues at BOCUs and OCUs
  • Heath and Safety assurance
  • Training accidents – interim report
  • External Audit of MPS and MPA health and safety
  • H&S - Assurance process reports from CO and DoR
  • H&S reports (as required)

Thursday 10 December 2009 2.00 pm

• Audit
  • Internal Audit quarterly progress report
  • Internal Audit programme of work for 20010-11
  • Audit Commission annual governance report – MPA audit 2008/09
  • External audit reports (if any)
  • Annual Governance Statement – quarterly update
  • Outstanding high-risk internal audit recommendations
• Corporate governance
  • Corporate governance framework – quarterly update
  • Implementing Financial reporting standards - update
  • Treasury management review
• Health and Safety
  • Update on health and safety performance in the MPS
  • Heath and Safety assurance
  • H&S reports (as required)

Monday 22 March 2010 10.00 am

• Audit
  • Internal Audit quarterly progress report
  • External audit reports (if any)
  • Outstanding high-risk internal audit recommendations
• Corporate Governance
  • Annual governance statement – quarterly update
  • Corporate governance framework – quarterly update
  • Implementing Financial reporting standards - update
  • Treasury management review
• Health and Safety
  • Update on health and safety performance in the MPS
  • Issues raised by Business Groups, trade unions and staff associations at Strategic Health and Safety Committee - and how they have been dealt with
  • Health and Safety assurance
  • H&S reports (as required)

Monday 14 June 2010 10.00 am

• Audit
  • Draft Internal Audit report 2006/07
  • External audit reports (if any)
  • Outstanding high-risk internal audit recommendations
• Corporate governance
  • Corporate governance framework – quarterly update
  • Implementing Financial reporting standards - update
  • Audit Commission audit fee
  • Audit Commission annual audit plan
  • Audit Commission 2011/12 plan
  • Statement of accounts for year end March 2010
  • Draft Annual Governance Statement
  • Statement of accounts for year end 31 March 2010
  • Treasury management review
• Health and Safety
  • Update on health and safety performance in the MPS
  • H&S reports (as required)
  • Heath and Safety assurance
• Other
  • Appointment of co-opted members
  • Committee work plan

3. Oversight of issues arising from Internal Audit and recommendations will also feature on the orkplan in the light of the decision made in relation to the report being considered at this meeting. Other agenda items will be added as necessary.

Equality objective for the committee

4. The objective for the Corporate Governance Committee, agreed on 7 December 2007 was:

Reports provided to Corporate Governance Committee, which include data on staff/officers of the Service or Londoners as a whole, provide a breakdown of all relevant equalities information

It is suggested that this objective be retained.

C. Race and equality impact

There are no direct equality and diversity implications arising from this report, other than that outlined above.

D. Financial implications

There are no direct financial implications arising from this report.

E. Background papers

• None

F. Contact details

Report author: Peter Tickner, MPA

For infoFor information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1: Current terms of reference

The Committee is responsible for enhancing public trust and confidence in the governance of the MPA and the MPS, which is achieved by:

• providing independent assurance on the adequacy of the risk management framework and the internal control environment
• independent scrutiny of the organisation’s financial and non-financial performance to the extent that it affects the MPA and MPS exposure to risks and weakens the control environment
• overseeing the financial reporting process

Internal Control Environment

1. To satisfy itself as to the effectiveness of the internal control system in operation within the MPA and MPS.

2. To consider and approve an annual governance statement for publication with the Authority’s annual accounts, together with associated action plans for addressing areas of improvement.

Internal Audit

3. To advise the Authority on the appropriate arrangements for internal audit and approve the MPA Internal Audit Strategy

4. To approve the Internal Audit Annual Programme

5. To oversee the provision of an adequate and effective internal audit; to receive progress reports on the internal audit work plan and to ensure appropriate action is taken, particularly in areas of high risk.

6. To consider the Director of Internal Audit’s Annual Report and annual opinion on the internal control environment; ensuring appropriate action is taken to address any areas for improvement.

7. To review the Authority’s policies on fraud, irregularity and corruption and to monitor the effectiveness of such policies.

External Audit

8. To advise the Authority on the appointment of external auditors.

9. To approve external audit programme and associated fees.

10. To review the external auditor’s Annual Governance Report and any other reports and to report on these to the Authority as appropriate, including the implementation of agreed recommendations.

11. To review the Authority’s annual accounts and to make recommendations as appropriate to the Authority.

12. To consider significant accounting policies and any changes to them.

Inspection

13. To consider HMIC and any internal inspection report that may highlight MPA or MPS exposure to risks which may lead to weakening the control environment.

Corporate Risk Management

14. To consider the financial risks to which the Authority is exposed and to approve measures to reduce or eliminate them or to insure against them.

15. To approve the corporate risk management strategy and framework; ensuring that appropriate systems are in place for assessing and managing key risks to the Authority and the Service.

16. To consider proposed corporate programmes of risk management activity and receive reports monitoring progress, including business continuity and disaster recovery.

Safety and Health and Occupational Health

17. To agree the MPS priorities for safety and health and its strategy.

18. Oversight of the MPS’s occupational health strategies and their relationship with safety and health issues.

19. To satisfy itself, on behalf of the MPA, that the MPS discharges its legal duties in relation to health and safety matters with particular regard to the safety, health and welfare of police officers and police staff, people in the care and custody of the MPS, and all members of the public on police premises or property.

20. To satisfy itself, on behalf of the MPA, that the MPS and MPA has in place appropriate health and safety, management systems, arrangements and procedures both to meet legal requirements and to assess and control risks and if required to report annually to the full Authority on performance and compliance.

21. To review, and exceptionally to request, the carrying out of audits and reviews of health and safety management systems, policies, arrangements and procedures, as necessary, and to review progress with the implementation of recommendations arising from such audits.

22. To provide a conduit for the expression of health and safety concerns.

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