Governance

Governance Code

Corporate governance refers to the processes by which organisations (such as councils) are directed, controlled, led and held to account. It is also about culture and values - the way that councillors (members) and employees think and act. In summary, if management is about running a council, corporate governance is about seeing that it is run properly.

Wrexham Council is a complex organisation, affecting all those living and working in Wrexham, as well as the businesses and organisations based here.

It is therefore essential that there is confidence in our corporate governance, and as a council we must therefore ensure that:

  • as a democratic body, we engage with and account to our citizens and stakeholders effectively
  • we conduct our business in accordance with the law and to proper standards
  • public money is properly accounted for and is used economically, efficiently and effectively
  • controls are proportionate to risk so as not to impede performance
  • we continuously improve the way in which we function, in terms of effectiveness, quality, service availability, fairness, sustainability and innovation
  • we fulfil our purpose and meet our priorities as set out in the Council Plan

We are therefore committed to good corporate governance – to doing the right things in the right way for the right people in a way that is timely, inclusive, open, honest and accountable.

This code sets out our approach to achieving and maintaining good corporate governance. It follows guidance produced by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE).

Annual Governance Statement

The purpose of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) is to describe the extent to which the council has complied with the Governance Code. It describes how the effectiveness of the governance arrangements has been monitored and evaluated during the year and sets out areas for improvement in the coming year.

The AGS is published as part of our Annual Statement of Accounts, but because it is not restricted to financial issues, it is published here as a separate document. The Annual Statement of Accounts can be found under finance documents.

Self-assessment 

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 established a new legal framework for local government elections, democracy, governance, and performance. 

The act means that all councils in Wales must keep under review, through self-assessment, the extent to which they are meeting the ‘performance requirements’. Each council must review how:

  • It is exercising its functions effectively
  • It is using its resources economically, efficiently, and effectively
  • Its governance is effective for meeting the above objectives

The act places a duty on councils to publish a report setting out the conclusions of the self-assessment once every financial year. The report should also include any actions a council intends to take to further meet the performance requirements. Future reports must also include a review of the improvement actions and consideration of how they have increased the extent to which they are meeting the performance requirements.