Owl would add some of the comments from this report, but its blood pressure can’t cope … well, ok, maybe just one:
“Question:
Evidence of internal control and accountability measures – what is the internal control environment for maintaining ethical behaviour and standards in the organisation?
Answer:
A suitable code of conduct – typically a series of Do’s and Don’ts, publicly available and adherence to the code monitored.
Identification of key indicators or measures of an ethical culture within the organisation and periodic reviews of their effectiveness.
Existence of and adherence to whistleblowing policy or speak up mechanisms, gifts and hospitality registers, anti-bribery and corruption, declarations of interests requirements, procedures for dealing with conflicts of interest, which are regularly reviewed.
Ethical risks captured and controlled in the risk management process and evidence they have been identified, assessed and where required mitigated.
Transparency and reporting arrangements which encourages “intelligent accountability” putting out good quality information in intelligible and adaptable formats creating a genuine dialogue with stakeholders.”
Click to access 6.1291_CO_LAL_Ethical_standards_of_public_life_report_Interactive__2_.pdf
East Devon Watch 