133 A key message of this report is that a one-size-fits-all approach to governance is inappropriate for partnership working. Governance arrangements must be proportionate to the risks involved. Public bodies need to strike the right balance between protecting the public pound and ensuring value for money. At the same time, they need to manage the risks of innovation without inhibiting the innovative potential that emerges when organisations collaborate.
134 The governance of partnerships should promote good internal accountability between partners and better external accountability to service users.
135 There are four ways to enhance governance and accountability:
• Audited and inspected bodies should:
- bring clarity to partnership roles and responsibilities;
- use corporate governance arrangements to support partnerships; and
- communicate effectively with the public.
• Regulators and central government should:
- collaborate to bridge the regulatory gap: ensure that they champion the needs of service users and the wider public in all inspection, audit and investigatory activity in order to secure the greatest possible accountability in partnership working.