Governance
Governance is about how this Council ensures that it is doing the right things, in the right way, for the right people, in a timely, inclusive, open, honest and accountable manner.
Our Local Code of Governance, which was approved by the Council earlier this year, contains six core principles of good governance:-
- Focusing on the purpose of the authority and on outcomes for the community and creating and implementing a vision for the local area.
- Members and officers working together to achieve a common purpose with clearly defined functions and roles.
- Promoting values for the authority and demonstrating the values of good governance through upholding high standards of conduct and behaviour.
- Taking informed and transparent decisions which are subject to effective scrutiny and managing risk.
- Developing the capacity and capability of members and officers to be effective.
- Engaging with local people and other stakeholders to ensure robust public accountability.
Each year the Council is required to produce an Annual Governance Statement which reports on our governance arrangements. Once the statement is approved, it is signed off by the Leader (on behalf of Members of the Council) and the Chief Executive (on behalf of employees).
The Governance Group, which is chaired by the Chief Executive and meets regularly, is tasked by the Council to define and co-ordinate the Council's approach to good governance and to determine the extent to which the Council complies with the current principles and elements of good governance.
Other key documents which support the Council's Local Code are:-
This document sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures that are followed to ensure that there are efficient, transparent and accountable.
Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Strategy
The Council is committed to the prevention and detection of fraud and corruption. This document outlines the Council's attitude to fraud and corruption and the approach that the Council will take when faced with such matters.
The Council is required to regularly provide particular data sets to the Audit Commission in order to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. This is known as the National Fraud Initiative.
This document aims to maintain the high standards of conduct that current exists in the Council by preventing criminal activity through money laundering.
The Council is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, probity and accountability. This document encourages employees, members, contractors and others to voice any concerns they have about malpractice.
This page was updated on 13 November 2008