Public Register of Government Committees and Quasi-Autonomous Entities

AuthorityCabinet Office
Date received2022-03-24
OutcomeSome information sent but part exempt
Outcome date2022-04-11
Case ID2348466

Summary

The requester asked for the Public Register of Government Committees, details on corporate governance reviews including the Independent Review Body for Health Complaints, and assurance certification processes. The Cabinet Office provided information on existing governance frameworks and regulations but stated it does not hold data on assurance certifications, noting that pandemic delays affected previous review timelines.

Key Facts

  • A 2019 review established the corporate governance arrangements for committees and Quangos.
  • The Government Code outlines the status, function, and duties of statutory board members.
  • The Independent Review Body for Health Complaints operates under the National Health Service (Complaints) Regulations 2004.
  • The Cabinet Office does not hold information regarding the Assurance Certification process for each Quango or Committee.
  • Governance assurance and audit are the responsibility of the sponsoring department rather than the Cabinet Office.

Data Disclosed

  • 2022-03-24
  • 2022-04-11
  • early March 2020
  • 30 March 2020
  • 2019
  • 2017
  • 2004
  • 3 pages
  • 1 document

Exemptions Cited

  • Information not held by the authority

Original Request

1. Please can you provide the latest Public Register of Government Committees and Quasi-Autonomous Entities 2. Please can you provide information on the latest Cabinet Office reviews of the current corporate governance arrangements for Quangos and Government Committees and the standard framework applied, in particular relating to the Independent Review Body for Health Complaints 2. Please can you provide information on whether or not Assurance Certification process for each Quango and Government Committee, to validate the governance arrangements has been undertaken for each Committee or Quasi-Autonomous Entity on the Public Register Thank you

Data Tables (6)

In ear ly Marc h 2020, an upda te was requested on reforms be ing progressed, and thi
was d ue to b e provided by 30
The ar rival o f the Covid-19 pa ndemic in mid-March and the Is
prolonged lo ckdown resulted i n the suspension of non-essent
Government, as ministers and officers focused on Governmen t's pandemic response.
The is sues ra ised in the revie w are due to be considered by t he current administratio
in the light o f current prioritie s and pressures, and will be pro
Corporate go vernance arrang ements for committees and Qua ngos are set out in the
2019 r eview. Departments set and monitor the governance fr
organisations they are respon sible for, and the governance of committees is addressed
in thei r Term
The G overnment Code provid es information on the status and function of statutory
board s and o ther bodies, and the rights, responsibilities and d uties of their members
This in cludes requirements in respect of Government Financia
declaration o f conflicts. The G overnment Code can be viewe
New m embe rs of statutory bo ards are provided with a compr ehensive induction, which
addresses go vernance issues i n detail. Those who put themse lves forward for public
appointment s are provided wi th an Information Pack, in whic
addressed. S uccessful candida tes are referred to the relevant
Government Code, in respect of governance, as part of their i
The G eneral Complaints remit of the Independent Review Bo
servic es is se t out in the Natio nal Health Service (Complaints) Regulations 2004. This
specifi es how complaints shou ld be handled, investigated and
where matte rs should be refe rred to a panel. The IRB is requ
annua lly to t he Department of Health and Social Care, for rev
Regulations can be viewed he

Full Response Text

In early March 2020, an update was requested on reforms being progressed, and this was due to be provided by 30 March 2020. The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in mid-March and the Island's subsequent prolonged lockdown resulted in the suspension of non-essential work across Government, as ministers and officers focused on Government's pandemic response. The issues raised in the review are due to be considered by the current administration in the light of current priorities and pressures, and will be progressed accordingly. 2. Please can you provide information on the latest Cabinet Office reviews of the current corporate governance arrangements for Quangos and Government Committees and the standard framework applied, in particular relating to the Independent Review Body for Health Complaints Corporate governance arrangements for committees and Quangos are set out in the 2019 review. Departments set and monitor the governance framework for the organisations they are responsible for, and the governance of committees is addressed in their Terms of Reference. The Government Code provides information on the status and function of statutory boards and other bodies, and the rights, responsibilities and duties of their members. This includes requirements in respect of Government Financial Regulations and declaration of conflicts. The Government Code can be viewed here: https://hr.gov.im/media/1189/the-government-code-february-2017.pdf. New members of statutory boards are provided with a comprehensive induction, which addresses governance issues in detail. Those who put themselves forward for public appointments are provided with an Information Pack, in which governance is addressed. Successful candidates are referred to the relevant section of the Government Code, in respect of governance, as part of their induction.
The General Complaints remit of the Independent Review Body (IRB) for health services is set out in the National Health Service (Complaints) Regulations 2004. This specifies how complaints should be handled, investigated and responded to, and where matters should be referred to a panel. The IRB is required to submit a report annually to the Department of Health and Social Care, for review and scrutiny. The Regulations can be viewed here: https://www.tynwald.org.im//links/tls/SD/2004/2004- SD-0216.pdf. 2. Please can you provide information on whether or not Assurance Certification process for each Quango and Government Committee, to validate the governance arrangements has been undertaken for each Committee or Quasi-Autonomous Entity on the Public Register While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. Please be advised that governance assurance and audit is a matter for the sponsoring department. Council of Ministers’ committees and bodies appointed by the Council of Ministers report directly into Council.