Annual Governance Statement
Governance provisions in the public sector are closely scrutinised and sometimes criticised. Good governance structures enable the authority to pursue its vision effectively as well as underpinning that vision with mechanisms for control and management of risk. Good governance leads to good management, good performance, good stewardship of public money, good public engagement and good outcomes for citizens and service users, which all link to the Council's Corporate Plan and support the Annual Governance Statement.
Annual Governance Statement 2022-23 [PDF 366KB]
Code of Corporate Governance [PDF 158KB]
Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy (including Money Laundering Policy)
Derbyshire Dales District Council is committed to ensuring that its services are of the highest possible quality, provide value for money and that it is fully accountable, honest and open in everything it does.
Dishonest and fraudulent acts may reflect adversely on the District Council, damaging its public image and reputation. Instances of fraud and corruption gain media attention, and are portrayed as evidence of inefficiency and weakness.
In addition The Bribery Act 2010 creates a new offence under section 7 which can be committed by commercial organisations which fail to prevent persons associated with them from bribing another person on their behalf. The Act primarily refers to commercial organisations however the Council is required to make officers aware of the offence of committing bribery on its behalf.
The Council must therefore ensure that it has taken all possible measures to prevent, detect and investigate corrupt or fraudulent acts, and has in place proper procedures to demonstrate that such measures are effective.
The Criminal Finances Act 2017, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017), place obligations on the Council and its employees to establish internal procedures to prevent the use of their services for money laundering.
Read the document in full - Anti Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy & Money Laundering Policy & Strategy [PDF 816KB]
Capital Strategy
View the Capital Strategy 2023-24 [PDF 251KB]
Communications and Marketing Strategy
The key focus of our Communications and marketing Strategy (updated November 2022) is to support and enhance the activities of Derbyshire Dales District Council through effective communications, promoting its reputation as a modern and forward thinking local authority that provides first class value-for-money services.
The Communications Strategy was originally adopted by the District Council's Corporate Committee on 18 September 2014. The strategy's action plan is updated annually by the Governance & Resources Committee, most recently in November 2022.
Consultation Plan
Involving local people and our partners is important to Derbyshire Dales District Council. The more we know about residents' and partners’ views, the more likely we are to have policies and services that residents are satisfied with.
The consultation plan explains which topics we will be consulting with people about each year. It shows how each consultation is linked to an action in our Corporate Plan.
The current consultation plan covers the period from April 2022 to March 2024.
View the Consultation and Engagement Plan
Consultation Strategy
Involving local people and our partners is important to Derbyshire Dales District Council. The more we know about residents' and partners’ views, the more likely we are to have policies and services that residents are satisfied with.
The Consultation and Engagement Strategy 2021-27 explains how we make sure we consult with everyone affected by our policies and services. Consultation helps us to create and provide services that reflect local needs.
The Consultation & Engagement Strategy has four objectives:
- To improve the performance of Council services
- To develop and evaluate the Council’s policies, services and projects
- To inform the prioritisation of resources available to the Council
- To promote dialogue with local communities and enable local delivery of services where appropriate
Our surveys policy is to offer a range of alternative formats for disabled people on request eg: large print or Easy Read documents. We can also offer officer support to disabled individuals where required. Contact us on 01629 761100.
View the Consultation Strategy 2020 to 27
Corporate Enforcement Policy
View the Corporate Enforcement Policy
Corporate Investment Strategy
View the Corporate Investment Strategy 2023-24 [PDF 427KB]
Document Retention and Management Policy
View the Council's Document Retention and Management Policy [PDF 1.3MB].
Document Retention Policy Appendix 1 [PDF 240KB].
Document Retention Policy Appendix 2 [PDF117 KB]
Debt Recovery Policy
Please see our Revenues Debt Recovery Policy [PDF 189KB]. This was last approved in 2016, but is currently under review.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Introduction
The Council has a duty to encourage and promote equality as an employer, in the services it provides and in carrying out its public functions. Councillors, everyone who works for us, or wants to work for us, or represents us must follow the law and the Council’s policies.
Derbyshire Dales District Council is committed to fairness and equality.
We will make sure our employment practices, services and public functions do not treat anyone in an unfavourable way. We will make sure no one who works for us, or has applied to work for us, or uses our services experiences unfavourable treatment because of a protected characteristic. The characteristics protected by law are; sex,
- sexual orientation,
- marriage or civil partnership
- race
- colour
- nationality
- ethnic or national origin
- religion or belief
- age
- disability
- gender re-assignment
- pregnancy and maternity
We will take positive steps to promote equality of opportunity for service users, employees and potential employees.
We will take positive actions to promote good relations between different groups.
We will work with our partners to tackle prejudice where it occurs.
Managing equality and diversity means ensuring that everyone is treated in a fair way and has access to the same opportunities and services; and different people feel included and respected.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
The Council's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy describes how it meets Equality laws.
The policy statement confirms the District Council's commitment to implementing equality and diversity laws and the Council policy. It describes our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. It also describes the way we meet the requirements of equality and diversity legislation and the needs of residents and employees. It influences decision making, actions and activities.
The policy applies to all elected members, employees, contractors and all others who are involved in the business of the council. The policy statement confirms the District Council's commitment to ensuring those responsible implement both equality and diversity legislation and the Derbyshire Dales District Council policy.
View the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Medium Term Financial Strategy
View the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-22 to 2025-26 [PDF 2002KB]
Procurement Strategy
View our Procurement Strategy [PDF 179KB]
Risk Management Policy & Strategy
View the Risk Management Policy & Strategy 2021-23 [PDF 10477KB]
Service Plans
Our annual service plans form an important part of the management and monitoring of Council services. They contain details of the services we will deliver, linked to the aims and objectives of the Corporate Plan.Our service plans for 2022/23 were agreed by the council in March 2022.
The Service Plan includes our ‘Corporate Plan Indicators’ and ‘Key Performance Indicators’ which will be monitored quarterly, as well as service indicators which will be reported at the end of each financial year. The service plans also include information on staff resources and budgets to clarify the link between service levels and resources.
View the Collated Service Plans 2022/23
If you would like to see a copy of the Service Plans for other years, please contact
Sustainable Procurement Strategy
View our Sustainable Procurement Strategy [PDF 200KB]
Whistleblowing policy
View the Whistleblowing policy
