MD2911 GLA Group Corporate Governance Framework Agreement Approval

1.1. The GLA has a range of rules and guidelines in place which can be viewed here. The key governance documents are:

• the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (the GLA Act), which established the GLA, and subsequent legislation which impacts on its remit and responsibilities

• the GLA’s Standing Orders and the ‘Mayoral Decision-Making in the Greater London Authority’ document, which set out the decision-making processes and scheme of delegation

• the GLA Group Corporate Governance Framework Agreement, which is the subject of this decision form.

1.2. The GLA reports on its compliance with its governance arrangements through the preparation of an Annual Governance Statement for submission to the external auditor. This Statement is reviewed by the Assembly each year prior to its sign-off by the Mayor, and its inclusion alongside the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts.

1.3. The GLA Group Corporate Governance Framework Agreement (the Agreement) is made between the GLA and its functional bodies – the LLDC, the OPDC, TfL, MOPAC and the LFC – collectively known as the GLA Group.

1.4. It is a voluntary and firm commitment by the GLA’s elected members, the Mayor’s appointees, members of functional body boards, and officers, to be open, transparent and accountable for their actions and behaviour. It is also a commitment to hold to specific Mayoral and London Assembly expectations, set out below, and for the Group to interact in a way that enhances accountability and service delivery to Londoners.

1.5. The Agreement is reviewed each Mayoral term. It was last reviewed in 2016 and approved under MD2046.

1.6. This revised version of the Agreement has been reviewed and approved in principle by the LLDC, the OPDC, TfL, MOPAC and the LFC who will each be asked to provide formal approval of this Agreement following its approval by the Mayor. The Agreement was approved by the London Assembly at their Plenary meeting on 10 February 2022.

2.1. Implementation of the Agreement helps to demonstrate the commitment by the GLA’s elected members, the Mayor’s appointees, members of functional body boards, and officers, to be open, transparent and accountable for their actions and behaviour. As stated above, it is also a commitment to hold to specific Mayoral and London Assembly expectations, as set out in the Agreement, and for the GLA Group to interact in a way that enhances accountability and service delivery to Londoners.

3.1. Section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010 provides that, in the exercise of their functions, public authorities must have due regard to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010

• advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it

• foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

3.2. Considering the obligations under section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010, it is likely that there will be a positive impact upon protected groups in implementing the Agreement, as it ensures that the GLA Group is committed to interact in a way that enhances accountability and service provision to Londoners.

4.1. The risks associated with possible gaps in the corporate governance requirements set down by this Agreement have been mitigated via discussion and review by relevant officers, and then boards, of all organisations within the GLA Group. The Agreement contains provision for future reviews, to be led by the GLA’s Monitoring Officer each Mayoral term.

4.2. There are no direct implications for GLA strategies arising from the content of this report.

4.3. There are no conflicts of interest to declare from any officer involved in the drafting or clearance of this Decision form.

5.1. There are no direct financial implications arising from the content of this report. However, any improvements to the corporate governance regimes of the GLA Group may reduce the likelihood of inappropriate or fraudulent behaviour.

5.2. Any costs that may arise from implementing the Agreement will be subject to further approval via the GLA’s decision-making process.

6.1. The GLA and its functional bodies should establish governance arrangements that ensure resources are directed in accordance with agreed policy and according to priorities and statutory responsibilities.

6.2. The content of the Agreement falls within the Assembly’s terms of reference, as well as the responsibility of the Mayor.

• Appendix 1 - GLA Group Corporate Governance Agreement