Department-Agency Relations: oversight, assurances and PCRs | ONLINE
12 June 2025
11:00–12:30
ONLINE
Government Departments rely on a wide network of state agencies and public benefit entities to deliver critical services and to achieve policy outcomes. Central to Department-Agency relations are matters of clarity of roles, governance expectations, oversight arrangements and mutual trust. While formal tools and review mechanisms such as Oversight Agreements, Performance Delivery Agreements and Periodic Critical Reviews provide structure, it is often the informal, interpersonal connections between Departments, agencies, and public benefit entities, and their respective officials, that determine how well governance and oversight works in practice.
With insights from our experienced panellists, the Forum event will reflect on how Departments and Agencies can foster meaningful, productive partnerships that go beyond compliance. There will be ample opportunity for audience engagement through live polls and panel discussions.
Key questions to be explored include:
- What makes for a strong and effective relationship between a Department and its agencies or funded entities?
- How can Departments ensure robust oversight and assurance, and respect agency autonomy and space for performance while maintaining accountability?
- How can informal engagement complement formal oversight to manage risk and support performance?
- How can Periodic Critical Reviews (PCRs) be used to drive meaningful improvements in governance and performance?
- What can we learn from Department-Agency relationships in the UK?
The panel for this event is:
- Dr Lynn Ramsey, Director, Teaching Council
- Matthew Gill, Programme Director (Public Bodies), Institute for Government, UK
- Ciara Hendley, Principal Officer, State Body Oversight and Governance, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage