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Section 1 Introduction
1.1 Introduction to the Guide
Welcome On Board - but what exactly is expected of you?
The main purpose of a Board of a Scottish public body, as defined in the Preface, is to provide effective leadership, direction, support and guidance to the organisation and to ensure that the policies and priorities of the Minister (and the Scottish Executive) are implemented. The Minister has appointed you as a Board member to make an effective contribution to the work of the Board and to ensure that it discharges its governance functions effectively on his/her behalf.
The Board, therefore, is the bridge between the Minister who approves the Corporate/Business Plans and key performance targets of the Body, and the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team who aim to ensure that the Plans are delivered and targets met through effective and properly controlled executive action.
All Board members of public bodies have a crucial role to play in ensuring that their organisation is run efficiently and effectively. You have been appointed as a Board member to bring your personal expertise and experience to the Boardroom and you are personally as well as corporately accountable for your actions and decisions as a Board member. One of the key roles of every Board member is to carefully scrutinise plans and underlying assumptions before decisions are taken. In exercising this important role, you should be prepared to question the position adopted by the Chief Executive, other senior officers and, if necessary, other Board members with a view to clarifying issues and securing improvements.
What is the aim of this Guide?
This Guide has been produced to provide you with much of the basic information that you will need to understand your role as a member of the Board of a public body in Scotland and to help make your time with the Board fulfilling and effective. The Guide supplements the information contained in your Letter of Appointment that formally sets out your roles and responsibilities as a Board member. It does not, however, take precedence over existing legislation or the Management Statement and Financial Memorandum which your public body will have in place.
However, the Guide is merely the starting point of your induction into the body that you have just joined. In due course, you should expect to receive induction guidance and training from the organisation on a range of topics, including:
- the structure, governing legislation and work of your public body and links with the sponsor Department;
- the Code of Conduct for Board Members and the Ethical Standards Framework; and
- your corporate roles and responsibilities as a Board member.
Annex 1 provides a checklist of further induction guidance and training that may be available from your organisation. You should refer to this checklist when you are discussing your induction requirements with the Chief Executive and/or Chair of your organisation. Your annual appraisal with the Chair will also highlight areas where further training is required. This Guide is produced in ring binder form to enable you to add material to it that you consider relevant and useful. The Guide will be updated as information changes.
Does this Guide cover your public body?
The Guide is designed to be relevant to Boards of all public bodies, as defined in the Preface, regardless of size or function. However, if you are a Board member of an advisory NDPB, a tribunal or an NHS body, some of the content of this Guide may not be directly relevant to you. Board members should seek clarification from the Chair or Chief Executive as to the extent to which separate arrangements apply in your organisation. Nevertheless, the Guide contains much generic information that is essential to enable you to discharge your responsibilities as a Board member of a public body of whatever kind.
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