Governance of the Treasury Function CIPFA Scottish Treasury Management Forum Alan George, Regional Director 23rd February 2012

2 Governance and Accountability Definition of Corporate Governance “The system by which organisations are directed and controlled” Cadbury Report 1992 Key Principles of Corporate Governance: Openness Integrity Accountability

Corporate Governance To comply with key principles, Authorities need to consider Organisational structures and processes Financial reporting and internal controls Standards of behaviour Code of Conduct 3

Delivering good governance in Local Government (CIPFA / SOLACE) Consider the effectiveness of the Authority’s risk management arrangements and the control environment Seek assurance that action is being taken on risk-related issues identified by auditors and inspectors Be satisfied that the authority’s assurance statements properly reflect the risk environment and any actions required to improve it 4

Delivering good governance in Local Government (CIPFA / SOLACE) Approve (but not direct) the Internal Audit Strategy and monitor performance Review summary Internal Audit reports, and seek assurance that appropriate action has been taken Receive the annual report of the Head of Internal Audit Consider the reports of external audit and inspections 5

Definition of Treasury Management The Management of the organisation’s... Investments Cash flows Banking Money market and capital market transactions Effective control of the RISKS associated with those activities Pursuit of optimum performance consistent with those RISKS 6

Key Drivers Treasury Management Legislation CIPFA’s Codes of Practice Strategic Documents Capital Expenditure Plans Risk Appetite 7

Strategic Considerations Balance Sheet Position Budget Pressures Security of Capital Budget Profiling – Capital and Revenue Capital Programme Deliverability of Schemes Slippage etc Capital Receipts Cash Flow Management 8

Treasury Risk Management Credit and Counterparty riskLiquidity risk Interest Rate risk Exchange Rate risk Refinancing risk Legal & Regulatory risk Fraud, error, corruption and contingency management Market value of investments 9

10 TM Risk Management “the ongoing activity of adjusting the authority’s treasury exposure due to changing market and domestic circumstances in order to manage risk and achieve better value in relation to the authority’s objectives” o Doing nothing does not avoid or minimise risk o Risk can be failure to take advantage of opportunities

11 Balance Sheet o Year end o Level of Reserves and Balances o Cash Position o Capital Financing Requirement (CFR) o External Borrowing o Internal Borrowing

12 Council Balance Sheet Reserves & Balances = £145m  GF Balances= £15m  HRA Balances= £10m  Earmarked Reserves= £65m  Capital Grants etc= £40m  Provisions = £15m Working capital surplus= £ 15m Total reserves & balances= £160m Investments = £ 95m Internal Investments = £ 65m

13 Key Balance Sheet issues Capital Financing Requirement = £370m External Borrowing = £305m Under borrowed= £ 65m Internal Investments= £ 65m Capex over next 3 years= £215m CFR Forecasts= £392m (11/12) = £398m (12/13) = £390m (13/14)

Risk Management  Risk management is the identification and assessing of the risks to which an organisation may be exposed  Assigning ownership of risks to specific individuals to manage  The mitigation of those risks by implementing suitable control and management measures  The acceptance of the residual risks as being risks worth running  Periodic monitoring and reviewing of risks and risk management 14

TM Code of Practice – summary o Responsibility for Risk Management lies with the organisation o Enhanced member involvement and understanding o Better Scrutiny o Training o Reporting requirements – Quarterly / Half Yearly o Reliance on Credit Ratings o Diversification o Monitoring of Indicators o Borrowing in advance – clear business case in place 15

16 Why is a Code needed? To reflect Audit Commission’s report and findings CLG and Treasury Select Committee review Credit Crunch and Impact on banking system Risk appetite Increase in risk exposure To maintain high and consistent standards in looking after public funds for all Local Authorities, Police Authorities etc

17 The Code’s four clauses: Formal adoption of the “Four Clauses” o Clause 1 - Policies and Practices o Clause 2 - Reporting Requirements o Clause 3 - Delegation o Clause 4 - Scrutiny Make the “Four Clauses” part of standing orders and financial regulations

Clause 3: Delegation of responsibility for treasury management to: - Cabinet / Committee / Council for implementing and monitoring the TMPS & TMPs The responsible officer (S95) – for the execution & administration of TM decisions in accordance with the TMPS and TMPs 18

Clause 4: Scrutiny The following body or group of individuals is nominated to be responsible for ensuring effective scrutiny of the TM strategy and polices:  Scrutiny Panel  Governance Committee  Audit & Governance Committee 19

20 Treasury Management Strategy Statement Debt and investment portfolios:– o Interest rate forecast o Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators o Explanation of gross v. net debt o Policy on borrowing in advance of need o Policy on use of external service providers o Any extraordinary issues

The Financial Control Environment Sound decision making framework Sound systems and procedures Chief Finance Officer – s.95 - ensuring adequate accounting records and expenditure is within affordable limits Financial Regulations, Financial Plans and Strategies Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and Annual Budgets Internal and External Audit Audit Committee 21

22 CIPFA guidance for Local Authorities: o The Audit Committee (Corporate Governance Committee) is a critical component in the overall corporate governance process o It should be independent from the executive and scrutiny functions o It should provide assurance to elected members and members of the public that systems on internal control are effective o It should provide assurance about the organisation’s arrangements for managing risks

23 Treasury Management Practices TMP 1 Treasury risk management TMP 2Performance measurement TMP 3Decision - making and analysis TMP 4Approved instruments, methods and techniques TMP 5Organisation, clarity and segregation of responsibilities & dealing arrangements TMP 6Reporting requirements and management information arrangements TMP 7Budgeting, accounting and audit arrangements TMP 8Cash and cash flow management TMP 9Money laundering TMP 10Training and qualifications TMP 11Use of external service providers TMP 12Corporate governance