The Board Efficiency Review

Brief for independent Board Effectiveness review - 2020

BACKGROUND

The DWP/HSE Framework Document requires the HSE Chair to ensure a formal and rigorous annual evaluation of the Board's performance and its committees, with independent input every three years. The last independent review was carried out 2017/18 and was conducted by the Disclosure and Barring Service, an executive non-departmental public body of the Home Office.

A review was not carried out in 2018 as the organisation went through a DWP led Tailored Review, so an internal HSE review was carried out in August 2019. That review found:

The Board is well managed and supported and notable there have been some good changes over the last year, particularly work on the strategy, improvements in ARAC and working better with MB. The main areas of improvement are around making the agenda and discussions sharper, continuing the move away from operational matters and further work on the board's risk appetite.

A copy of that review and questions asked can be shared on request.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

Interviewees

The board currently consists of 9 board members (BM) and one person 'co-opted' to the board as a developmental opportunity. The board normally consists of 11 BMs and there is recruitment beginning in the new year to fill these vacant posts and replace some BMs who's contract is coming to an end.

On the operational side of HSE, there are 7 Executive Committee (EcCo) members who regularly attend the board to present papers.

We would like all BMs, including the 'co-opted' person, and ExCo members to be interviewed for the review.