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Policy

Public bodies

Directorate
Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector
Policy actions  1 of 3

Public body guidance

We provide a range of advice and guidance for members of public body boards. Read more in the following sections:

Governance and assurance

We oversee the systems of governance and assurance for public bodies to help ensure accountability.

All public bodies have a framework document, based on the executive NDPB model framework: template, which sets out the respective roles and responsibilities of the organisation, the Scottish Ministers and sponsor teams.

We have produced and published the following guides to help board members to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be efficient and effective in their role:

Code of conduct

Members of public bodies covered by the ethical standards framework must comply with the model code of conduct for members of devolved public bodies.

Find more information in the ethical standards in public life framework: factsheet.

Succession planning

We have published Succession planning for public body boards: guidance to help public bodies develop effective succession plans for their boards.

We have also put together a Public body boards succession planning: toolkit to provide additional information and examples of best practice.

Strategic engagement

The public bodies strategic engagement: guidance forms part of the Model Framework Document and provides guidance and information on roles and responsibilities.

Shared corporate services

We provide a portfolio of value for money shared services that public bodies may choose to access.  

The services available are: 

  • HR, Finance and purchasing services delivered through Oracle Cloud - this cloud-based platform provides an opportunity for public bodies to engage in a modern, efficient and secure solution that benefits from independent audit and assurance arrangements 
  • the provision of IT hardware and software through the SCOTS platform 
  • the Pathways digital learning platform 
  • Electronic Purchasing Cards (ePC) to support low-cost and transparent payments for goods and services 
  • Professional Electronic Commerce Online System (PECOS) to automate purchase to pay processes from purchase orders through to the payment of invoices 

These shared platforms support public service reform and maximise our investment in common technology, while allowing public bodies to access resilient platforms and services managed by the Scottish Government. 

For more information about how to access these services please contact the Corporate Hub Finance, Commercial & Service Governance Team at corphub.financegov@gov.scot.  

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