Corporate Governance is the system by which an organisation is directed and controlled, and at its most senior levels, in order to achieve its objectives and meet the necessary standards of accountability, probity and openness.

The CSA Governance Framework ensures that the requirements placed upon the CSA by the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) are clearly defined, and that those accountable deliver the necessary assurance to the CSA Board.

Details of the Framework can be found here.

The Central Services Agency pays in excess of £470m to family practitioners on behalf of Health and Social Services Boards, as well as expenditure of £63m on its own operations. As such there is a need for the Agency to ensure that its business is properly open and accountable and demonstrates probity and value for money, ie that the Agency’s activities are subject to good Corporate Governance. This section of the report describes the arrangements which the Agency Board has made to comply with Government requirements on Corporate Governance

Membership of the Board of the Agency consists of a Chair, five non-executive directors and five executive directors.

The Board meets throughout the year and members of the public are welcome to attend these meetings.

Specific matters reserved for the Board comprise:

1. Setting the strategic direction;

2. Monitoring performance;

3. Financial stewardship;

4. Corporate Governance and personal conduct;

5. Appointment, appraisal and remuneration of senior executives;

6.Ensuring effective dialogue between the organisation and the local community.

To assist the Board in carrying out its duties, three important committees have been established:

1. Audit Committee;

2. Remuneration & Human Resources Committee. 3. Business Committee

These first two are comprised of non-executive Directors while the Business Committee consists of both executive and non-executive members.

The system of internal control comprises policies and procedures of a financial and non-financial nature which are designed to assist management in controlling the perceived risks to the organisation. It cannot provide certainty against material errors, losses or fraud: it can only give a reasonable assurance.

The Audit Committee provides an assurance to the Board on the system of internal control. This assurance is based on a review by the Audit Committee of the management arrangements and relies on the work of the Agency’s external and internal auditors.