6.1 Understanding formal and informal accountability relationships
The range and strength of different accountability
relationships varies for different types of
governing bodies. For any governing body, some
relationships will be, or will feel, more formal
and possibly more important than others. For
example, the board of a non-departmental public
body is likely to have a closer and more direct
relationship with a minister than a school would
have. However, the large majority of governing
bodies need to be particularly active in developing
and maintaining a dialogue with the public.
Governing bodies that are elected by the public
(such as local councils) have accountability
relationships with central government that are less
direct and less powerful than, for example, the
relationships that non-departmental public bodies
have with central government. But even elected
bodies are held to account by central government
and regulators for some responsibilities. This is
why it is important for central government and
regulators to facilitate good governance in the
organisations they direct or hold to account.