Balancing charity objectives with sound financial governance is a tough call for trustees. But it is critical, as the voluntary sector takes on ever more responsibility, writes Dan Corry
Central government’s corporate governance code sets out the responsibilities of non-executive directors. The reality, though, is rather different, writes Emran Mian
Whitehall non-execs can play a powerful role at the heart of government. But to do that, they need more teeth, writes select committee chair Bernard Jenkin
Non-executives need to focus on the people who make our public services tick. Nowhere is this clearer than in healthcare, writes NHS Improvement chair Ed Smith
Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw has said that the current accountability regime for schools is “confused and inconsistent” and could undermine improvements to the education system.
The Public Accounts Committee has called for greater clarity in the government’s flagship devolution agreements after raising concerns about accountability and scrutiny arrangements in the...
A leading international credit rating agency has criticised the presentation of UK local government accounts, saying they cannot be easily compared with those of other countries.
As the government prepares to devolve more powers to local areas, leaders and decision-makers in public services must ensure that accountability is as local as the delivery
Neither the Treasury nor the Cabinet Office currently monitor how well payment-by-results schemes work, despite £15bn being spent through the contracts, the National Audit Office has said.
Government plans to merge three public service ombudsmen into one organisation for the whole of the sector will provide better value for money, one of the watchdogs involved has said.
Westminster City Council has set a new record for approval of local authority accounts after they were signed-off on May 18 – one day quicker than traditional frontrunners Oldham.
Chris Naylor has moved from suburban Barnet, and the London borough’s controversial outsourcing of public services, to be chief executive at working class Barking & Dagenham, where he sees...
Recent reports of ineffective local government scrutiny reflect a hard if disappointing reality. But it’s important that councils invest in an enhanced scrutiny function – it will pay for...
The government has finally got around to publishing permanent secretaries' 2013-14 performance objectives. Unfortunately, instead of improving Whitehall accountability, they just add to the...
