Our values

Our values define who we are. They outline what is important to us. They influence the way we work with each other – and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities.

Inclusive

In every interaction and communication, we seek to listen and understand. We make sure that there is a collaborative culture of openness and honesty. We respect individuality, diversity and wide-ranging perspectives.

We focus on equity, people, and trusting relationships. We do the right thing, not the easiest thing and speak up against inappropriate exclusive behaviours.

Inclusive behaviour:

• I treat others with courtesy, equity, fairness and transparency
• I listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding
• I take time to build trusting relationships
• I regularly discuss concerns with staff and my manager and create an environment where I am available and contactable
• I seek feedback from others on my approach and act on this to be the best I can be

Exclusive behaviour:

• I do not seek to listen and understand
• I do not show interest in my team members and am unaware of their needs and circumstances
• I am inaccessible, causing uncertainty or confusion and deliberately exclude others from activities
• I am closed to constructive support or challenge and make decisions in isolation
• I am disrespectful, insensitive or unhelpful to others and my manner causes upset to others
• I do not promote an inclusive environment which values equality of opportunity, diversity, and inclusion

Ambitious

Through our determination, we aspire to excellence and adding value in everything we do. We are bold but realistic. We work together and treat others as we would expect ourselves or our families to be treated. 

We do what we say we are going to do and hold ourselves and others to account.

Ambitious behaviour:

• I continuously engage customers and stakeholders in everything I do
• I use data and insights to make financial decisions that make sure I get value for money
• I involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements - to make sure the potential impacts on end users have been considered
• Challenging established practices where they are not consistent with fairness and openness

Unambitious behaviour:

• I don’t manage my responsibilities and don’t hold others to account for doing the same
• Communications are unplanned, don’t provide links or feel unconsidered and inconsistent
• I am resistant to change and risk adverse
• I do not role model the highest standards of behaviour

Always learning

We strive for continuous improvement, proactively seeking development opportunities, reflecting, and learning from experience. 

We are adaptable, innovative and resourceful and adopt new ways of working.

Always learning behaviour:

• I regularly meet to discuss and review performance with my manager
• I take time for reflection and learning
• When I make mistakes, I take responsibility for addressing and correcting them
• I keep up to date with developments within the council, seeking opportunities to learn and improve

Learning resistant behaviour:

• I do not encourage new ideas or innovations from others but stick to the ‘status quo’
• I do not seek opportunities to learn and do not seek guidance
• I don’t listen or value or encourage feedback, I am defensive to suggestions, look to blame others