Code of governance | Essex County Council

We are committed to the seven principles of Good Governance as agreed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives.

Our local code of governance is underpinned by these principles and is comprised of a framework of policies, procedures, behaviours and values by which the authority is controlled and governed.

The documents that make up this framework provide the structures and guidance that our members and employees require in order to ensure effective governance across our organisation.

Code of governance principles

Our seven principles of Good Governance are:

Behaving with integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values and respecting the rules of law.
Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits.
Determining the interventions necessary to optimize the achievement of the intended outcomes.
Developing the entity’s capacity, including the capability of its leadership and the individuals within it.
Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management.
Implementing good practices in transparency, reporting, and audit, to deliver effective accountability.