REPORT / Agenda Item 1018.15
Attachment 15
TRUST BOARD – OPEN SESSION / Tuesday 7July 2015
Subject / Review of Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and Scheme of Delegation:
Updates to Financial Governance Documents RegardingConsultancy Spending Controls
Prepared by / John Hurley, Financial Controller
Approved by / Rob Little, Director of Finance
Presented by / Rob Little, Director of Finance / Deputy Chief Executive
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to ask members of the Trust Board to approve the proposed amendments to the Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s)and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation of Powers, following the new guidance issued on 2 June 2015 bythe NHS Trust Development Authority (NTDA) regarding consultancy spending controls. / Discussion / 
Approval / 
Information
Other
Trust Objectives
Safety / Quality / Efficiency / Workforce / Finance / Governance
 /  /  /  /  / 
Executive Summary
From 2 June 2015, NHS Trusts are required to secure advance approval fromthe NTDA before:
  • Signing new contracts for consultancy projects over £50,000; and
  • Extending or varying existing contracts or incurring additional expenditure to which they are not already committed (where the totalcontract value exceeds £50,000).
The NTDA guidance on Consultancy Spending accompanies this report at Appendix 1.
NHS Trusts are required to submit a Business Case approval form to the NTDA’s Consultancy Controls Panel, see Appendix 2.
The NTDA requirements will be incorporated into the Trust’s SFI’s and Scheme of Reservation and Delegation of Powers as included in Appendix 3.
Key Recommendations
Members of the Trust Board are recommended to approve the updatedsections of theStanding Financial Instructions (SFI’s) and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation of Powers.
Assurance Framework
The Board Assurance Framework provides information on the key risks and current level ofassurance in meeting the Trust’s objectives and is an integral part of the Trust’s governancearrangements.
Next Steps
To publish the updated Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s) and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation of Powers and to inform all staff of the changes.
Corporate Impact Assessment
NHS Values / Covers all NHS Values
CQC Regulations / This is referred to under best practice which states: There are up-to-date Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and Scheme of Delegation
Financial Implications / There are no financial implications other than those provided for within the approved budgets.
Legal Implications / NHS Trusts are governed by the Act of Parliament, mainly the National Health Service Act 1977 (NHS Act 1977), the National Health Service and Community Act 1990 (NHS and Community Care Act 1990) as amended by the Health Authorities Act 1995 and the Health Act 1999 and the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
The Code of Accountability requires the Trust to adopt Standing Orders for the regulation of its proceedings and business. The Trust must also adopt Standing Financial Instructions as an integral part of Standing Orders, setting out the responsibilities of individuals.
Equality & Diversity / Referred to within the document.
Performance Management / N/A
Communication / To be disseminated across the Trust
Acronyms / Terms used in Report
SFI / Standing Financial Instructions
NTDA / NHS Trust Development Authority

15 December 2018

K:\Board Papers\Board Papers 2015\7 July 2015\Open\Agenda Item 1018 15 Review of Standing Orders Consultancy Spending Controls Cover Sheet.docx