Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Seventh Report - The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Government
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 318
Published 20 June 2023
Recommendations
5
Deferred
Prioritise publishing Lord Maude's Review findings within two weeks of delivery.
Recommendation
The Rt. Hon. Lord Maude of Horsham should take into consideration the conclusions and recommendations of this inquiry into his final report for the Review of Governance and Accountability. The Government should prioritise publishing the findings of the Review within …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated it would consider the recommendations from the Review of Governance and Accountability once it has been published and respond in due course.
17
Deferred
Para 56
Update Corporate Governance Code to stress value of NEDs and advise against automatic removal.
Recommendation
The consensus from oral witnesses to the inquiry, including the current Government Lead Non-Executive, was that NEDs and boards have a role to play in providing continuity and corporate memory between new Ministers and administrations. While we recognise that the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it will consider amending the Corporate Governance Code to include provisions on the removal of departmental NEDs, taking into account the committee's recommendations and other reports, while affirming ministerial discretion.
Conclusions (1)
20
Conclusion
Deferred
The Government Lead Non-Executive should provide a report on compliance with the Corporate Governance Code in the Government Lead Non-Executive Annual Report. This would cover all aspects of the Code, such as attendance at board meetings, whether fair and open recruitment practices have been followed, the management of conflicts of …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees there are benefits to publishing NEBM roles and responsibilities but does not commit to providing a report on Corporate Governance Code compliance or departmental justifications for departures. It notes its commitment to review NED roles is part of the overdue Lord Maude’s Governance and Accountability Review.