Business Cycle and Process

We are looking to work with an expert provider in corporate governance and business cycles.

Phase 1

The scope of the work is to develop a business cycle map by:

i) Carrying out a review of relevant documents (e.g. Board Rules of Procedure, Ofwat governance framework, UK codes on governance, government guidance, best practice). ii) Produce a robust business cycle map which is easy to understand and update, and can be made readily available across our business and identifies owners for each activity in the business cycle map. iii) Once the business cycle has been developed, set out what processes/controls should be in place at key points along the cycle that provide further assurance of delivery of key components that make up the map. Some of these processes/controls may or may not already be in place. We expect the suggestions to be the most efficient and effective that can be utilised and include the public sector governance controls that need to be in place. iv) Carrying out a review of the Ofwat assurance map (our high level control environment) to ensure it aligns with the developed business cycle map.

We expect that Phase 1 work will be delivered by 28 April 2017.

Phase 2 Following the successful delivery of Phase 1, we may extend the project with the successful Supplier. This will be dependent on what is delivered in Phase 1 and the scope will be discussed in more detail following delivery of Phase 1. This work will be charged at the same day rate as Phase 1. This will include:

i) Reviewing current processes and controls for the events within the business cycle and provide a view on whether our processes and controls are appropriate and a view on whether any processes or controls can be streamlined to reduce unnecessary burden. ii) Identify any gaps in process/controls associated with the business cycle map and provide recommendations as to what we should include when filling those gaps. We expect that Phase 2 work will carry on from the end of Phase 1 and should be completed by 30 September 2017.

The outcome of Phase 2 should be a report which sets out recommendations for providing continual and firm assurance that relevant business cycle process/controls are in place and effective, whilst at the same time testing the level of burden and seeking to reduce this wherever possible. The outcome should provide further assurance for the production of the governance statement in our annual report and accounts.