Strategies and policies  - Central Bedfordshire Council

Strategies and policies

Accessing the council's strategies and policies gives

Our plans for the future
Aims and objectives
Links to key documents

Corporate policies

Information Governance

This policy sets a new culture of information use in Central Bedfordshire, with the Council operating to a default principle of its information being open, transparent and in the public domain – except where for legislative reasons access to / use of information is restricted.

Information Governance and Security Policy (PDF 196KB)

Having accurate, relevant and accessible information is vital to the efficient management of the Council, which values records and information as important corporate assets. The Council must balance its statutory obligations in this area (for example providing the public with access to information) with its aim to be open and responsive, and with its duties of confidentiality for personal and commercially sensitive records and information. This balance requires the Council to create and manage all records efficiently, make them accessible when needed, protect and store them securely and dispose of them safely at the appropriate time.

Information and Records Management Policy (PDF 208KB)

Access to information policies

Central Bedfordshire Council believes in being as open and transparent as possible, we take our role and responsibility as a data controller extremely seriously.

Data Protection Policy (PDF 186KB)

Freedom of Information Policy (PDF 131KB)

Environmental Information Regulations Policy (PDF 131KB)

Re-use of Public Sector Information Policy (PDF 193KB)

Anti Fraud Policies

Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to promoting an anti fraud culture within the community and will protect staff who raise concerns in good faith.

All Council officers, members, agents, contractors and strategic partners have responsibilities to protect the funds they administer on behalf of the Council. Council resources must be administered to the benefit of the taxpayer and not the inappropriate benefit of any of the above.

Internal Audit has a role in raising awareness of anti fraud matters, and has developed an Anti Fraud and Corruption Strategy (PDF 196KB) and Confidential Reporting Policy (PDF 144KB) (Whistle blowing Policy) revisions to which were approved by the Audit Committee on 23rsd January 2012..

A Fraud Hotline (0300 300 8182)has been established and concerns may also be reported by email to:tellusaboutfraud@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Fair Processing Notice

This authority is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Audit Commission appoints the auditor to audit the accounts of this authority. It is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Audit Commission currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Audit Commission for matching for each exercise, and these are set out in the Audit Commission's guidance.

The use of data by the Audit Commission in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice.

For further information on the Audit Commission's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information, please see Fair Processing.

Equality & Diversity policies

Central Bedfordshire Council wants to promote and improve equality outcomes for all the people of Central Bedfordshire.

The following scheme sets out details of how Central Bedfordshire will work towards achieving these outcomes.

Single Equality and Diversity Scheme (PDF 226KB)

Single Equality and Diversity Scheme Appendices (PDF 553KB)

Partnership policies

The sustainable Community Strategy helps to shape the future of Central Bedfordshire by setting out a shared long-term vision and key priorities for tacking local quality of life issues.

Sustainable Community Strategy 2010 - 2031

The aim of the Community engagement Strategy is to deliver greater added value to citizens by understanding their needs and issues, and giving them a greater involvement in the decision-making process and access to public sector services.

Community Engagement Strategy 2010- 2013