What the Company Handbook is and how it is used.
The Company Handbook explains how the council has oversight of its companies and summarises key processes that are relevant to the companies and the council. This includes, for example:
- how the council governs its companies
- how the council collaborates with its companies to form the business plans each year
- how potential conflicts of interest should be managed
How it works
The Company Handbook is made up of individual Guidance Notes, as set out below. The Company Handbook is currently being redrafted and the Guidance Notes will be made available over the coming months.
The Company Handbook
pdf Introduction to the Company Handbook (439 KB)
An explanation of what the Company Handbook is and how it is structured.
Section 1: Introduction to council companies
pdf Companies owned by the council (1.54 MB)
An introduction to the companies that the council owns and what they each do.
Information will be provided over coming months about:
- what local authority trading companies are and why they are used
- how a council-owned company progresses from an idea to being fully established
Section 2: Council governance of companies
pdf Overview of council governance relating to the companies (582 KB)
An overview of how the council's governance interacts with the companies (for example, the role of Full Council, Audit Committee, OSMB, Shareholder Group)
Information will be provided over coming months about:
- council decision making in respect of the companies
- the governance of the group of council-owned companies
- how the council’s ‘client’ functions operate in respect of the companies
Section 3: Annual cycle
pdf Business planning (585 KB)
A summary of the business planning process and key outputs required from the companies.
Information will be provided over coming months about indicative timelines for when key outputs are required from the companies (for example, draft accounts, annual assurance statements etc.)
Section 4: Guidance for council-appointed directors
pdf Conflicts of interest (464 KB)
An overview of how potential conflicts of interest may arise for council appointed directors of the companies and how these potential conflicts can be managed.
pdf Directors' duties (492 KB)
An overview of directors' duties and how they apply to the council appointed directors of each company.
Information will be uploaded over coming months about the role of observers in company meetings.
Section 5: Guidance on council processes and policies
pdf Exempt Information (366 KB)
An overview of how the companies should approach the publication of information relating to them at council meetings, and how legal exemptions may be considered.
pdf Pre-election period (376 KB)
A summary of the pre-election period and what this may mean for the companies.
pdf Equality and inclusion and the companies (363 KB)
An overview of the council's approach to equality and inclusion and what this may mean for the companies.
Information will be uploaded over coming months about how the council and its companies manage requests received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Section 6: Trading between the council and its companies
An explanation of how the council expects to trade with its companies.
Information will be uploaded over coming months about the procurement status of the companies and how these should be maintained and monitored.
Section 7: Funding and investing in the companies
Information will be uploaded over coming months about how the council may fund and/or invest in its companies.
Find out more about the Company Handbook
If you would like to speak with someone to find out more about the Company Handbook, contact the Shareholder Liaison Manager: helen.davis@bristol.gov.uk