Agency Board

Terms of reference

Agency Board (AB) responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the Board, known as the Agency Board (AB), are set out in the Agency’s Framework document, Section 3.7 (370Kb).

The AB of the MHRA is responsible for monitoring the implementation of Ministers’ objectives for the strategic direction of the Agency, taking into account the perspective(s) of its stakeholders, and advising Ministers and the Agency accordingly.

In particular this includes:

• the Agency’s corporate governance and financial management
• the Agency’s business strategy and corporate objectives
• the Agency’s five-year corporate plan (254Kb) and annual business plan (417Kb)
• the Agency’s key financial and performance targets
• the content of the MHRA’s annual report
• the Agency’s culture and values
• the Agency’s internal and external communications management and quality.
  

The AB monitors the effective, efficient and economic delivery of the Agency’s objectives and ensures that the Agency fulfils its core objectives and complies with all statutory and administrative requirements for the use of Agency funds and the maintenance of the highest standards of corporate governance and public accountability.

The Board, as a whole, does not exercise any line management or executive functions, nor does it have a legal or constitutional role or any liability in respect of decisions of the Executive. It does not determine the details of regulatory policy, nor does it have any involvement in any regulatory decisions affecting medicines or medical devices. These are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, working through Corporate Executive Team (CET) directors and their staff, and of the expert advisory committees.

The AB use their experience and expertise and meet these responsibilities by:

• meeting on a regular basis
• attending sub-committees eg Risk and Audit Committee
• considering strategy papers from the CET and other Agency staff as necessary
• attending occasional Agency events including All Staff meetings, Agency Annual Lectures and informal briefing meeting with executive staff where necessary.

Membership
The Agency Board will consist of not more than 12 individuals and will be chaired by the Agency Chairman. Non-executive members will be appointed by the Secretary of State following open competition and do not represent any specific customer, sectoral or stakeholder interests. The Chief Executive, Operations and Finance Director, Policy Director, Communications Director and a member of SOL (Department of Health Solicitor’s Branch) usually attend to inform the Agency Board on the Agency’s business. Other Executive Directors will attend when necessary.

Frequency of meetings
The AB will normally meet formally once per month. Away Days will also be held, usually with a visiting stakeholder representative.

Agency Board reporting
The Directorate will provide the secretariat for the Agency Board. Minutes of the AB meetings will be provided to the CET for information and consideration. Redacted minutes will be made available to staff and on the Agency website.