Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB)

Body that has a role in the process of national government but is not a government department or part of one.

NDPBs are split into those with executive functions and those with advisory functions.

Executive bodies usually carry out prescribed functions within government guidelines and usually receive some sort of funding from their sponsoring departments. An example would be English Partnerships, the national body for regeneration and development, which is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Advisory bodies are set up by ministers to advise them and their departments on particular matters and do not normally have a budget.

Further information 

Civil Service guide to public bodies