The basics
High standards of public sector governance and accountability are essential to healthy democracies at both a national and local level. They enable the effective and efficient use of public resources in the wide range of agencies that make up the public sector.
Governance is the system by which an organisation or project is directed and controlled.
Management involves putting those decisions into practice.
Every governing body needs to:
- have a clear purpose and to stay focused on it;
- have clear roles and responsibilities that separate governance and management;
- lead by setting a constructive tone;
- involve the right people;
- invest in effective relationships built on trust and respect;
- be clear about accountabilities and transparent about performance against them
- manage risk effectively; and
- ensure that you have good information, systems, and controls.