4. Good governance means taking informed, transparent decisions and managing risk
Decision making in governance is complex and challenging. It must further the organisation’s purpose and strategic direction and be robust in the medium and longer terms. To make such decisions, governors must be well informed. Risk management is important to the successful delivery of public services. An effective risk management system identifi es and assesses risks, decides on appropriate responses and then provides assurance that the chosen responses are effective.
5. Good governance means developing the capacity and capability of the governing body to be effective
Public service organisations need people with the right skills to direct and control them effectively. Governing bodies should consider the skills that they need for their particular situation. To increase their chances of finding these people – and to enrich governance deliberations by bringing together a group of people with different backgrounds – governing bodies need to recruit governors from different parts of society. Public trust and confidence in governance will increase if governance is not only done well, but is done by a diverse group of people who reflect the community
6. Good governance means engaging stakeholders and making accountability real
Governing bodies of public services have multiple accountabilities: to the public (citizens) and to those who have the authority . systematic approach to put that
process into operation; and a focus on explicit results or outcomes. Real accountability
is concerned not only with reporting on or discussing actions already completed, but
also with engaging with stakeholders to understand and respond to their views as the
organisation plans and carries out its activities