Governance
Cefas was created on 1 April 1997 from the former
Directorate of Fisheries Research under the government's Next Steps
programme. As an executive agency of the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) we are fully
accountable to Parliament through ministers.
Richard Benyon MP - the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for
Natural Environment and Fisheries - has been empowered to act
on behalf of Defra's Secretary of State on all ownership matters
relating to Cefas. Among his other duties he
- sets our annual performance (ministerial) targets
- agrees the corporate and annual business plans
- nominates a Defra "Corporate Owner" to discharge his ownership
responsibilities.
The Corporate Owner takes into account Cefas' strategic fit with
that of Defra's own plans, agrees any Defra-funded investment
decisions, and ensures that our risk profile is acceptable to the
department.
Through a "Statement on Internal Control", the Defra
Management Board remain collectively responsible and are
accountable to ministers for Cefas' delivery.
Cefas management
Our Chief Executive and Accounting Officer is Dr Richard Judge.
The Cefas Management Board (CMB) support his governance of the
agency.
Besides Cefas executive Directors, the CMB
comprises external non-executive advisory Directors, and is
advised by internal and external auditors. The composition of the
CMB was revised in June 2007 to improve governance, clarity of
accountabilities and efficiency. It oversees the operational
management by the Senior Management Team. See
the Structure
section for more about our management structure.
The Audit and Risk Committee is a formally constituted
committee of the CMB. It is chaired by an external independent
member and includes two further external independent members.
Internal and external auditors and executives attend the meetings,
with others attending as required by the Committee. It
provides advice on:
- internal control and risk management
- internal and external audit
- financial reporting.
The Cefas Science Advisory
Committee is a formal sub-committee of the CMB. It has an
illustrious external membership with a remit to challenge and
advise on science, and in particular on our science and technology
quality.
Defining and supporting our actions
- Cefas framework document: This defines our
role and responsibilities in delivering key aspects of Defra's and
wider government's objectives. It also outlines our work and
constitution as a specialist science agency within the Defra
family. It provides a definitive guide for managers and staff
within Cefas, and for all who interact with us.
- Statement on Internal Control: Found within
our Annual Report and Accounts, this presents a commentary
on our systems for effective management, including risk assessment
and management, auditing practice, performance management and
reviews of effectiveness.
- Cefas service charter: This details the
service standards we provide.
- Business plan: A annual plan that also
contains forward projections.
- Plans and policies: A range
of other plans, policies and codes of practice support our
actions.