Governance

Governance is about how we make sure we are doing the right things, in the right way, for the right people, in a timely, inclusive, open, honest and accountable manner.

Our

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 we are required to produce an Annual Governance Statement which reports on our governance arrangements. Our Governance Group, which is chaired by our Interim Managing Director, meets regularly to define and coordinate our approach to good governance to ensure we are doing what we need to be doing, while our Internal Audit team also plays an important role in this process.

Other key documents which support our Local Code are:

We are committed to the prevention and detection of fraud and corruption and this document outlines our approach on such matters.

We are also required to regularly provide particular data sets to the Audit Commission in order to participate in a data matching exercise to help in the prevention and detection of fraud, known as the national fraud initiative.

Anti-Money Laundering Policy

This policy outlines our approach to preventing criminal activity through money laundering.

We are committed to conducting business in accordance with the highest ethical and legal standards. The integrity of our members, staff, and those with whom we do business, is critical to our success. Our residents and stakeholders have every right to expect that professional, competent and trustworthy people are working in the best interests of the council. We observe high standards of openness and transparency and exercises rigorous stewardship of public money. Our Anti-Bribery Policy is drafted with those obligations in mind.

Constitution

This document sets out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures that are followed to ensure that they are efficient, transparent and accountable.

RIPA Corporate Policy and Procedures Guide

This details the procedures for authorising and conducting surveillance in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

We are committed to the highest possible standards of openness, probity and accountability. This outlines our policy which supports employees, members, contractors and others to voice any concerns they have about malpractice.