‘Public Accountability and Governance for Board Members’

A customised version of the standard programme for non-departmental public body non-executive directors, this half-day version has been specially arranged for the Legal Services Commission.

The seminar in both its standard and customised versions deals particularly with expectations of Parliament and taxpayers regarding the stewardship of public funds. Continuously updated the programme draws on the latest guidance and recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee and best practice in public sector governance.

Brian Whalley, an independent consultant and acknowledged expert in this area, presents the seminar which will include contributions from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) and the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) who will provide comment key principles in relation to the management of public money and parliamentary scrutiny.

The programme covers:

• Corporate governance arrangements in Government departments
• The landscape of government: What does it mean to operate at 'arm's length'?
• ALBS and their relationship with the sponsor department
• The proper conduct of public business
• Ethical standards relevant to the stewardship of public funds
• Managing conflicts of interest
• Codes of practice
• Roles and responsibilities of ALB board members
• The role of the Departmental and ALB accounting officer
• External scrutiny: the National Audit Office and the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee

Links...

• House of Commons Public Accounts Committee
• Northern Ireland Audit Office
• HM Treasury: Governance and Risk Management
• HM Treasury Public Spending & Reporting