WPCC4-0057 Corporate Governance Framework

Decision Reference Number: WPCC4-0057

Lead Officer: Polly Reed, Chief Executive

Chief Officer approval: Chief Constable – 6/4/25

Date: 31/03/2025

Publication: Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation.  Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.

Status: Non-confidential

If partially-confidential or confidential please detail the FOI exemption applied and specify which parts are confidential:

Decision summary:

The Joint Corporate Governance Framework has been reviewed and formal approval is now sought of the framework which will cover 2025/26.  The Corporate Governance Framework consists of 6 separate documents, that should be read in conjunction with each other.  All the documents apply to the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable.  They have been reviewed by the Joint Audit and Standards Committee at their March meeting.

I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.

Signature:  P.Seccombe

Date: 10/04/2025

Supporting information

1. Background information: why do we need to make this decision?

The Joint Corporate Governance Framework, has been reviewed, as part of the annual process to ensure that the 6 documents that make up the framework are up to date and reflet best practise.   The documents include:

• Corporate Governance Framework introductory document
• Statement and Code of Joint Corporate Governance
• Scheme of Delegation
• Financial Regulations
• Contract Regulations
• Financial Delegations

The framework documents apply to both separate legal entities – the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable and outline how each of them exercise their functions in relation to each other and how corporate governance operates for the PCC and Chief Constable and also jointly between them.

The document includes the statutory framework and local policies, outlines how core principles are to be implemented, sets the parameters within which the organisations will operate, and outlines the separate policies and procedures for the PCC and the force and protocols for effective joint working where appropriate.

The Corporate Governance Framework outlines the statutory framework and local policies, detailing how core principles are to be implemented, including effective financial and risk management.  The separate Financial and Contract regulations, are designed to ensure the proper accountability of public funds and to ensure that the best value for money is achieved in acquiring all goods and services. The Scheme of delegation describes the occasions in which the PCC, Chief Constable and Statutory Officers have delegated responsibilities and decision making to others.  It provides a framework to ensure that business is carried out lawfully and efficiently, that decisions are not unnecessarily delayed and are taken at an appropriate level. The financial delegations are separately identified to provide clarity regarding financial approval levels to ensure business can continue efficiently and effectively, and reflect the scheme of delegation and budget holder responsibilities.

The Corporate Governance Framework is reviewed annually as a matter of course, and follows the more fundamental review of the documentation in 2024/25.  The annual review has included input from a variety of staff across the force and OPCC.  A number of changes have been made to the documents.  some of the main changes, include:

• a number of minor wording changes and corrections across each of the documents.
• Clarification of the delegations from the PCC to the DPCC. This is a full delegation in the absence of the PCC.
• Updated to clarify the arrangements for the fixing of the common seal of the PCC. This also includes changes regarding the sealing of contracts and delegations to the PCC Chief Finance Officer
• Addition of a sentence regarding the designation of a senior ACC (when there is more than one in post) to act up to cover the DCC position when required.
• Changes throughout the document to reference the Procurement Act 2023
• The addition of section 21 to the contract regulations to outline and clarify the formalities for signing and sealing contracts.

2. What additional documents are relied upon? Please provide a link or separate attachments.

The 6 documents referenced in the section above.

3. What benefits will this bring, including financial, social or environmental benefits?

The review of this framework and the associated separate documents will ensure that Warwickshire PCC and Chief Constable continue to have up to date and good governance arrangements in place to ensure that services can be delivered effectively, efficiently and provide value for money for Warwickshire communities.

4. What is the impact of not approving the application?

The current corporate governance framework will become out of date, unfit for purpose and will eventually potentially be operationally impacting. It is essential that appropriate arrangements for good governance are in place in Warwickshire in 2024/25.

5. How much will it cost? (please provide cost breakdown, including any identified savings, and include where they have been approved)

 There are no direct financial implications arising from this decision. However, the revised framework will ensure that effective procedures are in place for spending public funds in Warwickshire and should ensure that value for money is achieved from that spending.  

6. Who has been consulted on this proposal?

PCC, Deputy Chief Constable, PCC chief Executive, PCC Chief Finance Officer, Head of Contracts and Procurement (WP), Director of Data and Strategy (WP), Director of Finance (WP), JASC members at their Committee meeting in March 2025.

7. Will this decision have an impact on any specific individuals or groups or communities?

The documents apply to all, irrespective of their protected characteristics.

8. Does this decision have legal implications? Has legal advice been sought?

The review of these governance arrangements will ensure that the Chief Constable and Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner will continue to operate within the applicable legal frameworks.

Comments from the Chief Finance Officer

The Joint Corporate Governance Framework has been reviewed by a number of key stakeholders, including the Independent Joint Audit and Standards Committee. The document has been updated where applicable and more accurately reflects the governance arrangements that staff must operate within for the forthcoming financial year from April 2025.

Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer

These documents are an essential part of the governance arrangements for PCC and Warwickshire Police and set out how they will operate and interact with each other. They are reviewed annually to ensure they reflect requirements correctly.