Public bodies

The Public Bodies Handbook: part one (pdf, 888 kb) provides further information about the classificationtypes of public bodies.bodies, and how they are classified.

The Public Bodies Handbook: part two (pdf, 843 kb) sets out the ministerial approval process for the establishment of new arm’s-lengtharm’s length bodies.

Executive agencies: a guide for departments (pdf, 1,010 kb) describes the characteristics and structures of executive agencies and provides guidance on the processes for their creation, review, merger and abolition.

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Reviews

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A list of public bodies prioritised for review in 2022/23 can be found online.

Public bodies data

The Publicpublic Bodiesbodies Directorydirectory is a yearly data-gathering exercise providing a single, transparent source of top-level administrative and financial data on the non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies and non-ministerial departments classified as Arm’s length bodies by the Cabinet Office.ALBs.

The most recent publication is Public Bodies 2020.2020. Previous editions dating back to 1999 can be found online. PleaseDuring note, during 2010 and 20112011, there was no cross-government collective directorydirectory, as departments were responsible for publishing their own reports.

Sponsorship good practice

To establish effective working relationships for departments and arm’s-length bodies, this code of good practice provides a set of principles and standards.

Departments should appoint a dedicated partner (or sponsor) for each of its arms-lengtharm’s length bodies. It is their responsibility to manage the relationship between the department and the ALB, in line with the principles set out in the code of good practice.practice.

Code of conduct for board members of public bodies

WeBoard expect board members of public bodies tomust work to the highest personal and professional standards. The Cabinet Office’s code of conduct clearly and openly sets out the principles and standards which all non-executive board members of UK public bodies are expected to observe.

Governance

12 Principlesprinciples of governance for all public body NEDsnon-executive directors

Non-executive directors (NEDs) on public bodies should demonstrate the 12 qualities outlined in 12 Principlesprinciples of Governancegovernance for all Publicpublic Bodybody NEDs.

ALB boards: guidance on reviews and appraisals

Principles and resources to support regular arm’s length body board effectiveness reviews and board member appraisals can be accessed on the Arm’sALB length body boards: guidance on reviews and appraisals page.page.

NEDNon-executive director induction events

We support new public body NEDs to understand the unique context of public sector governance and the expectations and opportunities of the role. It is intended to complement the departmental and organisation-specific induction that should be offered to all NEDs by sponsor departments and their ALBs.

We currently run quarterly NED induction events which are aimed at new appointments to public service within the first six months of their appointment. TheseThe areCabinet onlineOffice’s eventspublic whichbodies runteam overcan twoprovide consecutiveadditional afternoonsinformation and cover a wide range of topics specific to the roles of non-executive on ALBthese boards.events.

Rules on lobbying and PR for all public bodies

There is a long-standing principle that public bodies must be politically impartial, and must ensure the proper use of public money at all times. All public bodies must comply with the rules on lobbying, attendance at party conference, advertising, marketing and PR for public bodies.