Achieving good corporate governance

What is meant by governance, and how it relates to Oxfordshire County Council

Governance is about how the council ensures it does the right things. This means doing them in the right way for the right people and acting in a timely, open, and honest manner. 

The council uses systems, processes, and values to guide its actions. These elements help the council lead, engage with, and stay accountable to the community.

Corporate governance in public bodies ensures accountability to the public, users, and stakeholders. It helps organisations make decisions and control their actions. 

This includes having strong leadership, high ethical standards, and a clear focus on public service.

Our Code of Corporate Governance (pdf format, 585 KB) outlines how the council maintains these standards. It helps the council review its structures based on seven fundamental principles.

1. acting with integrity: Showing honesty and a commitment to ethical values
2. engaging with stakeholders: Being open and involving the community in decisions
3. focusing on outcomes: Ensuring long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits
4. making effective decisions: Taking steps to achieve desired results
5. building leadership: Developing the skills of leaders and staff within the council
6. managing risks and Finances: Ensuring robust control over risks and public finances
7. ensuring accountability: Using good practices in reporting and auditing

Each principle is linked to the council's actions to meet its goals.

Guidance and framework

Annual governance statement

The council's governance framework requires an Annual Governance Statement. This publicly reports how well it adheres to its governance code. This is a statutory obligation under the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015. The statement outlines how the council has monitored its governance over the year and any planned improvements.

Internal controls and risk management

Internal controls are crucial to good governance. They help ensure the council's policies are implemented, high-quality services are provided efficiently, laws and regulations are followed, and financial and other resources are managed responsibly. Regular reviews of these controls help identify areas for improvement.

Oxfordshire County Council's governance structure

Our Governance Assurance Framework explains how governance is structured within the council. It also clarifies the roles of key officers, councillors, and committees. 

The Code of Corporate Governance shows how the council meets its governance standards. It includes key documents that explain its practices.

The Audit and Governance Committee approves the Code and reviews it each year to keep it current and effective.