Strategic commercial interventions - initiating companies in public ownership: standard operating procedures - part 2

1. Introduction

Public corporations and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) are constituted with an independent board and management teams and are expected to run their own operations. However, they are subject to Ministerial objectives, National Outcomes, etc. and should be mindful they are acting on behalf of Ministers and are subject to Public Sector expectations. Board members have a responsibility to set an example by demonstrating the highest standards of behaviour. It is important that nothing they do or say when acting as a Board member tarnishes in any way the reputation of the public body or the Board.

Given the diversity of such public bodies and the political contention which often surrounds their establishment and operation, effective control to deliver public value is challenging to achieve. In exercising oversight on behalf of Ministers, officials must ensure a requisite degree of control is secured, exercised and able to be demonstrated in practice and the governance in place should enable this.

This manual seeks to supplement, not replace, existing guidance with a focus on the critical factors needed to effectively monitor, support and manage NDPB and Public Bodies. Please note, this manual does not constitute as legal advice, officials should instruct legal advisors if required.

The manual is comprised of the following chapters

Chapter 1: Effective Sponsorship of Public Bodies

Chapter 2: ESG metrics guidance to recording and monitoring public value