Corporate Governance

Good Governance at the Council

Governance is about how the Council makes sure it does what it is meant to do and achieves the right outcomes for local people and partners.

National guidance says that good governance in the public sector means:

• Acting in the public interest at all times
• Focusing on benefits for the community
• Delivering positive outcomes for residents and stakeholders

The Council follows this guidance through its Local Code of Corporate Governance which sets out how it will work and behave to ensure strong, effective governance.

Our Key Principles

The Council bases its approach on seven core principles:

1. Integrity and ethics – acting honestly, upholding values, and following the law
2. Openness and engagement – being transparent and involving residents and stakeholders
3. Clear outcomes – focusing on long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits
4. Effective decision-making – choosing the right actions to achieve results
5. Strong leadership and capability – developing the skills of councillors and staff
6. Risk and performance management – managing risks and finances responsibly
7. Transparency and accountability – reporting clearly and being open to scrutiny

Reviewing and Reporting

• The Local Code of Corporate Governance is reviewed every year and approved by the Council’s Standards and Audit Committee
  • Standards and Audit Committee
• The Annual Governance Statement looks back each year at how well governance has worked and identifies any areas for improvement.
  • Annual Governance Statement (PDF 498 KB)
• This statement is published alongside the Council’s Statement of Accounts so residents can see how the Council is performing.
  • Statement of Accounts