Governance Structure

Below is a brief summary of each part of the governance structure. More detail about the role and responsibilities of each Committee is contained in their Terms of Reference which form part of the Governance Handbook.

Council of Members

The CCG is a membership organisation. The Council of Members comprises of an individual GP selected by each member practice. The individual selected has authority to represent the practice’s views and to act on its behalf in its dealings between the practice and the CCG. The Council of Members:

contributes to, changes and approves the CCG’s Constitution and any amendments thereafter,
elects relevant members of the Governing Body,
reviews and agrees the annual delivery plan,
contributes to and agrees the commissioning intentions,
reviews year end performance of the Governing Body,
holds an Annual General Meeting open to the public.

Governing Body

The main function of the Governing Body is to ensure that the CCG has appropriate arrangements in place for ensuring that it functions effectively, efficiently and economically. Where appropriate, matters are delegated to a Committee or individual and this is outlined within the CCG’s Scheme of Reservation and Delegation.

The Governing Body also receives formal updates from each of its Committees. This enables members to consider the work and effectiveness of each Committee to receive assurance that they are delivering against their terms of reference.

Northern CCGs Joint Committee (Cumbria and the North East)

The CCG is a member of the Northern CCGs Joint Committee. Member organisations include:

The Committee makes decisions on subjects included in its an annual work plan approved by each of the CCGs as part of the annual review of the Terms of Reference. These will be confined to issues that pertain to all CCG areas in Cumbria and the North East and include agreement and review of Value Based Clinical Commissioning Policies and the Individual Funding Request / prior approval processes.

Southern Collaborative Joint Committee

The CCG is also a member of the Southern Collaborative Joint Committee. Member organisations include:

NHS County Durham CCG
NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG
NHS Tees Valley CCG

The primary purpose of the Joint Committee is for the CCGs to work together on areas relating to any service reconfiguration that might lead to formal public consultation.

Audit and Assurance Committee

The Audit and Assurance Committee supports the Governing Body in its main function of ensuring the CCG has made appropriate arrangements to ensure functions are exercised effectively, efficiently and economically and that all relevant principles of good governance are adhered to.

In line with the requirements of the NHS Audit Committee Handbook and NHS Codes of Conduct and Accountability, the committee provides the CCG with an independent and objective review of systems of internal control, risk and governance processes and arrangements, and compliance with laws, guidance, and regulations governing the NHS. The committee is a non-executive committee of the Governing Body and has no executive powers. Its work aligns with that of the Quality Committee to seek assurance that robust clinical quality systems are in place.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is a committee of the Governing Body that operates as a forum for discussion, decision and assurance of the operational management of the CCG in support of the Governing Body and its committees in:

ensuring the continued development of the CCG;
overseeing and accounting for delivery of the CCG’s strategic objectives and their supporting plans;
supporting the development of effective collaboration across the local health economy, and
managing and monitoring clinical quality, financial performance and activity.

Patient, Public and Carer Engagement (PPCE) Committee

The PPCE Committee provides assurance to the CCG’s Governing Body in relation to patient, public and carer engagement. The committee is responsible for developing the communications and engagement strategy of the CCG, reviewing, challenging and evaluating CCG engagement processes and providing a two way communication channel between the CCG and patients, public and carers.

Primary Care Commissioning Committee

The Primary Care Commissioning Committee has been established in accordance with the statutory provisions enabling NHS England to delegate to the CCG authority to exercise the primary care commissioning functions set out in Schedule 2 in accordance with section 13Z of the NHS Act. The Committee makes collective decisions on the review, planning and procurement of primary care services in County Durham under delegated authority from NHS England. The role of the Committee is to carry out the functions relating to the commissioning of primary medical services under section 83 of the NHS Act.

Quality Committee

The role of the Quality Committee is to examine and make recommendations with regard to the quality standards of commissioned services, pathway developments and quality indicators of new services. It supports the delivery of the CCG’s statutory duties to reduce inequalities in the health of the local population and to ensure equity of health and access to services. It also ensures that innovative ways of working are considered and tested by using safe and measured approaches. It approves and ratifies any necessary quality related documents prior to submission to the Governing Body.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee is a statutory Committee established in accordance with the CCG’s constitution, standing orders and scheme of delegation. Its purpose is to advise the Governing Body about pay, other benefits and terms of employment for the Chief Officer and other senior staff. The Committee also advises / recommends to the Governing Body remuneration for the role of Chair, remuneration and terms of service of Governing Body clinical representatives and any independent lay members and reviews any business cases for early retirement and redundancy. The Committee is Chaired by a Lay Member.