Summary of Code of Corporate Governance

Part 1 Statement of Corporate Governance for the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable

1.1 Introduction

The purpose of this statement is to give clarity to the way the two organisations, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable, will be governed both jointly and separately, to do business in the right way, for the right reason at the right time.

1.2 Context

The principle statutory framework within which the organisations will operate is:

• Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (PRSRA11, the Act)
• Policing Protocol Order 2011 (the Protocol)
• Revised Financial Management Code of Practice 2004
• Strategic Policing Requirement 2015

This framework creates a public sector relationship, based upon a commissioner - provider arrangement but with unique elements such as the single elected commissioner and the operational independence of the police service. It is therefore not appropriate to import corporate governance arrangements into this environment but to build upon existing good governance principles and experience.

1.3 Principles

The core principles adopted by both organisations are those highlighted by the good governance standard for public services:

• Focus on outcomes for local people,
• Clarity of roles and functions,
• Promotion of values and demonstrating these through behaviour,
• Informed, transparent decisions & managing risk,
• Developing capacity and capability
• Engaging with local people to ensure robust accountability.

1.4 Framework / Instruments of governance

The corporate governance framework by which both organisations will be governed, both jointly and separately will consist of:

• Statement of corporate governance – statutory framework and local policy,
• Code of corporate governance – sets out how the core principles will be implemented,
• Scheme of corporate governance – defines the parameters within which the organisations will conduct their business,
• Separate policy and procedures for each corporation sole, with protocols where they operate jointly.

1.5 Leadership

The PCC Governance Board will review the framework on an annual basis and ensure compliance. The Board’s objectives are to oversee governance across the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Constabulary and to deal with any issue that cannot be dealt with, or that is referred to it by, any other board, panel, group or meeting as a result of this Corporate Governance Framework. As a body it has the strategic oversight of all matters including governance across the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and Constabulary. Membership consists of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Constable (and Deputy), the Chief Executive and the respective Chief Finance Officer.

Rod Hansen, Chief Constable.
Chris Nelson, Police & Crime Commissioner.