MD2830 Updates to GLA Governance Documents

1.1. As part of its commitment to high standards of governance and transparency, each of the GLA’s core governance documents are subject to regular review. Four of these – Mayoral Decision-Making in the GLA, the Financial Regulations, the Contracts and Funding Code, and the Expenses and Benefits Framework – have recently been reviewed.

1.2. The table below sets out the purpose of each document and the main changes proposed. The full versions are appended to this form.

1.3. In each case, minor factual changes have also been made, such as updating the titles of posts or teams.

1.4. The Expenses and Benefits Framework is required to be adopted jointly by the Mayor and the Assembly and will be considered by the Assembly (currently scheduled for the Annual Meeting of the Assembly on 9 May 2022). It must also be approved by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Officer) through a separate decision so as to apply to other GLA staff as appointed under Section 67(2) of that Act.

1.5. Following the Mayor’s approval of the other documents, the Assembly will also be notified for information. All staff will be notified through internal communications when the revised documents are published, and more detailed guidance and support is provided by teams in the GLA, principally Performance & Governance and Financial Services.

2.1. The objective is, through updating these documents, to continue to provide for strong governance arrangements that enable the GLA to conduct its business in line with the law and proper standards; and safeguard and properly account for public money, spending it economically, efficiently and effectively.

3.1. Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the Mayor and the GLA are subject to the public-sector equality duty and must have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; and foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.

3.2. These documents ensure that the GLA takes decisions and manages its resources with probity and value for money and therefore assists the GLA in delivering for all Londoners. No specific adverse impacts for any groups sharing a protected characteristic have been identified.

3.3. Mayoral Decision-Making in the GLA sets down a formal decision-making process that reinforces the need to consider equality implications. The Contracts & Funding Code includes new provisions relating to responsible procurement and ensuring, through our contracting arrangements, we support social value.

Key risks and issues

Link to Mayoral strategies and priorities

4.1. Robust corporate governance arrangements, including as set out in each of these documents, support the full breadth of the Mayor’s priorities as well as the efficient and effective use of public money and the GLA’s commitment to openness and transparency.

Conflicts of interest

4.2. There are no conflicts of interest to note from any officer involved in the drafting or clearance of this Decision Form.

5.1. The documents refreshed and included here for approval form a framework for ensuring probity and value for money in the conduct of the GLA’s day to day business. It is essential that they are reviewed periodically and updated to reflect changes in the operating environment. Whilst there are no direct costs arising from the approval of these documents, they will have a wide-reaching impact on budgetary management across the organisation.

6.1. In line with a range of applicable statutory requirements and good practice the GLA’s governance arrangements are designed to ensure it:

• conducts business in line with the law and proper standards
• safeguards and properly accounts for public money and spends it economically, efficiently and effectively
• sets clear expectations for the Mayor, Assembly Members and GLA staff – and in particular that their conduct upholds the seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

6.2. Where the documents mentioned in this form confer the ability to take decisions on specific post holders (e.g. the Statutory Deputy Mayor, the 11+2, and other GLA Staff) that involve the exercise of Mayoral powers, they are authorised to do so under sections 38(1) and 380 of the GLA Act 1999 and any other specific statutory power enabling them to do so.

6.3. The approval of the revised Mayoral Decision-Making in the GLA document (Appendix A) is a Mayoral decision as its contents involve the delegation of functions of the GLA exerciseable by the Mayor by (as relevant) GLA staff and the Statutory Deputy Mayor under sections 38(1) and 380(1) of the GLA Act and any other relevant statutory provisions.

6.4. The approval of the revised GLA Financial Regulations (Appendix B) and the revised Contracts and Funding Code (Appendix C) is a function of the GLA that is exerciseable by the Mayor under section 35(2) and (3) of the GLA Act, on the basis that the exercise of the relevant statutory powers they involve has not by legislation been made to be one exerciseable by the Assembly (alone) or by it and the Mayor acting jointly.

6.5. The revised Expenses and Benefits Framework covers GLA elected members (the Mayor and Assembly members), the GLA’s statutory officers (Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Section 127 Officer), and GLA staff, both as appointed by the Mayor (the 11+2) and by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Officer). Therefore its approval is a tripartite approval by (1) the Mayor in relation to section 67(1) staff , (2) the Mayor and Assembly jointly in relation to themselves and the statutory officers and (3) the Head of Paid Service (Chief Officer) in relation to all other GLA staff appointed under section 67(2) .