The process of managing the Council is often described as Corporate Governance, a description which might not be readily understandable.  At its simplest, Governance is a term used to describe how organisations direct and control what they do.  As well as systems and processes this includes cultures and values.  For local authorities this also includes how a council relates to the communities that it serves.  Good Corporate Governance requires local authorities to carry out their functions in a way that demonstrates accountability, transparency, effectiveness, integrity, impartiality and inclusivity.  Corporate Governance is also the structure through which strategic objectives are set and performance monitored.

Cumbria County Council is committed to demonstrating that it has fully effective Corporate Governance arrangements in place to perform effectively and in this respect the County Council has approved a Local Code of Corporate Governance, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

This Code is a public statement that sets out the way the Council will meet that commitment.  As such it represents a key component of the Council's constitutional arrangements.  The Code has been developed in light of CIPFA / SOLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework and is based upon the following 6 core principles:

• Focusing on the purpose of the of the authority and on outcomes for the community and creating and implementing a vision for the local area 
• Members and officers working together to achieve a common purpose with clearly defined functions and roles   
• Promoting values for the authority and demonstrating the values of  good governance through upholding high standards of conduct and behaviour
• Taking informed and transparent decisions which are subject to effective scrutiny and managing risk 
• Developing the capacity and capability of members and officers to be effective 
• Engaging with local people and other stakeholders to ensure robust public accountability    

The Code also sets out the mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing the Council's Corporate Governance arrangements.  On an annual basis the Council has a statutory requirement to produce a Governance Statement, endorsed by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, which describes how it has managed the Council in accordance with the principles mentioned above.