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Governance handbook

Our governance handbook brings together a range of documents explaining our governance responsibilities, accountabilities and duties. It aims to help our staff and members of the public to understand our governance arrangements.

NHS South West London Governance Handbook (7MB pdf)

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Introduction

The Governance Handbook (the ‘Handbook’) has been produced in line with NHS England (NHSE) guidance and fulfils the requirements set out in NHS South West London ICB’s (the ‘ICB’) Constitution and is published on the ICB’s website.

The Handbook will be reviewed annually with oversight from the Audit and Risk Committee, and any changes to the content of the Handbook will be recommended for adoption by the ICB Board.

Scope

The Handbook is intended as a reference guide for members of the public and is applicable to all individuals working for, or on behalf of the ICB.

Purpose

The purpose of the Handbook is to bring together a range of statutory and corporate documents and information in a format that is easy for interested people to navigate. It includes:

  1. The Scheme of Reservation and Delegation & Operational Scheme of Delegation (SoRD) – sets out those decisions that are reserved to the Board of the ICB and those decisions that have been delegated in accordance with the powers of the ICB and which must be agreed in accordance with and be consistent with the constitution. The SoRD identifies where, or to whom, functions and decisions have been delegated to;
  2. Functions and Decision map – a high-level structural chart that sets out which key decisions are delegated and taken by which part or parts of the system. The Functions and Decision map also includes decision making responsibilities that are delegated to the ICB (for example, from NHSE);
  3. Functions and Decision map – a high-level structural chart that sets out which key decisions are delegated and taken by which part or parts of the system. The Functions and Decision map also includes decision making responsibilities that are delegated to the ICB (for example, from NHSE);
  4. Standing Financial Instructions – which set out the arrangements for managing the ICB’s financial affairs;
  5. Terms of Reference for all committees and sub-committees of the Board that exercise ICB functions;
  6. Where applicable, any delegation arrangements for all instances where ICB functions are delegated, in accordance with section 65Z5 of the 2006 Act, to another ICB, NHSE, an NHS trust, NHS foundation trust, local authority, combined authority or any other prescribed body; or to a joint committee of the ICB and one of those organisations in accordance with section 65Z6 of the 2006 Act;
  7. Where applicable, any Terms of Reference of any joint committee of the ICB and another ICB, NHSE, an NHS trust, NHS foundation trust, local authority, combined authority or any other prescribed body; or to a joint committee of the ICB and one or those organisations in accordance with section 65Z6 of the 2006 Act;
  8. The up-to-date list of eligible providers of Primary Medical Services – the list of practices that nominate the Partner Member for Primary Medical Services;
  9. Links to key policy documents including Standards of Business Conduct, Conflicts of Interest and Public Involvement and Engagement

Scheme of Reservation and Delegation & Operational Scheme of Delegation (SoRD)

Appendix One provides the ICB’s Scheme of Reservation and Delegation & Operational Scheme of Delegation (SoRD) which sets out those decisions that are reserved to the Board of the ICB, and those decisions that have been delegated in accordance with the powers of the ICB. The SoRD identifies where, or to whom, functions and decisions have been delegated to.

Functions and Decision map

The Functions and Decisions map on the website provides a high-level structural chart that sets out which key decisions are delegated and taken by which part or parts of the system. The Functions and Decision map also provides an overview of delegated decision-making responsibilities.

Standing Financial Instructions

Appendix Two provides the ICB’s Standing Financial Instructions which set out the arrangements for managing the ICB’s financial affairs.

Committees of the Board

  • The functions and decisions of the ICB are discussed and considered at statutory and non-statutory committees in line with the ICB’s constitution. All committees have a responsibility to operate within their individual Terms of Reference which support effective decision making. Terms of Reference for committees and sub-committees of the Board that exercise ICB functions can be found in Appendix Three. These committees are:
    • Audit and Risk Committee;
    • Remuneration Committee;
    • Finance and Planning Committee; and
    • Place Committees

Key policies

Key policy documents including Standards of Business Conduct and Conflicts of Interest can be found in Appendix nine.

Providers of Primary Medical Services

Appendix Six provides an up-to-date list of eligible providers of Primary Medical Services. These are the list of eligible practices that nominate the Partner Member for Primary Medical Services of the Board.

ICB Code of Conduct and Behaviours

  1. The ICB will, at all times, observe generally accepted principles of good governance. This includes the Nolan Principles of Public Life and any governance guidance issued by NHS England.
  2. The ICB has agreed a code of conduct and behaviours which sets out the expected behaviours that members of the Board and its Committees will uphold whilst undertaking ICB business.
  3. As a publicly funded organisation, we have a duty to set and maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity. We expect the highest standards of corporate behaviour and responsibility from Board members and everyone who works for or on behalf of the ICB. The Standards of Business Conduct Policy, found in Appendix Two, sets out the principles, public service values and behaviours that will guide decision making in the ICB.

Petitions

Where a valid petition has been received by the ICB it shall be included as an item for the agenda of the next meeting of the Board.

 Review

The Handbook will be reviewed annually, with oversight from the Audit and Risk Committee

Equality Impact Assessment

  • An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) must be carried out as part of the development of each Policy, Strategy, and Framework document. All public authorities have a legal responsibility to assess their activities, and to set out how they will monitor any possible negative impact upon equality in terms of the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity or paternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. If a negative impact is identified, mitigating action will need to be taken to reduce that impact.
  • An EIA for this Handbook is included in Appendix tweleve

Appendices to the Governance Handbook

  1. Scheme of Reservation and Delegation & Operational Scheme of Delegation
  2. Standing Financial Instructions
  3. Audit and Risk Terms of Reference
  4. Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference
  5. Finance and Planning Committee Terms of Reference
  6. Quality and Performance Oversight Committee Terms of Reference
  7. SWL London Place Terms of Reference
  8. Standards of Business Conduct Policy
  9. Conflicts of Interest Policy (including gifts and hospitality)
  10. People and Communities Engagement Strategy
  11. Providers of Primary Medical Services
  12. Equality Impact Assessment for Governance Handbook