Governance reviews are essential for promoting accountability, transparency, compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness within councils. They provide valuable insights and recommendations for improving governance practices and ensuring the councils long-term success.

LCC Associates possess expertise in conducting Governance Reviews and can provide councils with various levels of support. Our services are structured around the following modules.

If you are looking for some support in this area, contact us and we will provide you with a proposal.

Module 1 – High Level Governance Check

This module includes a review of:

  • compliance with Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Code of Conduct;
  • agendas and minutes;
  • the preparation and monitoring of budgets and financial procedures;
  • scheme of delegation and committee/working group terms of reference;
  • risk management arrangements;
  • compliance with Transparency Code requirements.

Module 2 – Review of Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Code of Conduct

Each review will result in a fully updated document.

Module 3 – Review of Policies and Procedures

Review of an unlimited number of policies and procedures (non HR-related) which will result in fully updated policies and procedures.

Module 4 – Review of Compliance with Employment Law and HR Policies

This module comprises:

  • A review of the Council’s compliance with Employment law and HR-related policies;
  • Compliance with employment law/best practice will be checked (this will include whether contracts of employment are in place, payroll procedure, pay slips, operation of a workplace pension scheme, appraisal scheme, the implementation of policies);
    The review will result in a set of fully updated HR policies and a report to the Council on compliance with any recommendations for improvements.

Module 5 – Review of Financial Management

  • a high-level review of compliance with Financial Regulations and underlying legislation.
  • a test of financial procedures.

Resulting in a report to the council with recommendations for improvements/updated documents.

Module 6 – Review of Effectiveness of Governance Arrangements

This modules provides a review of:

  • Effectiveness of governance/committee structure;
  • Committee/working group terms of reference;
  • Scheme of delegation.

Resulting in a report to the Council with recommendations for improvements.

Module 7 – Review of Risk Management Arrangements

Including:

  • Asset register;
  • Risk management strategy;
  • Risk register;
  • Risk assessments;
  • Health and safety arrangements;
  • Emergency planning;
  • Business continuity arrangements;
  • Insurance

Module 8 – Review of Transparency Code Requirements

To include:

  • Review of published information;
  • Review of publication scheme;
  • Website accessibility