About Sevenoaks District Council

The Senior Management Team is absolutely dedicated to the organisations values and go out of their way to ensure there is a continual focus on them in their actions and in the way they communicate across the organisation. The Chief Executive is the first to ask to be involved and is pictured holding a "no blame culture". It's what matters most to him. Things may not go well but the focus is always on how it can be done better next time. The Senior Team make themselves available and have an open door policy. Nobody will be turned away if they have something they need to ask. The Chief Executive meets regularly with all staff and is always available to attend team meetings. Success is always celebrated informally by a quick thank you or a letter to staff. Investors in People made Sevenoaks the first public sector organisation worldwide to reach their new Platinum Standard. Whenever there is news that needs to be shared with the whole organisation there is no hesitation in sending a communication, often by email, that gives an honest assessment of the situation and clarity about what steps the organisation are taking. The Chief Executive ensures that each of the Chief Officers in his team operate in the same way and if he cannot be available there is always someone in the Leadership Team available to engage with staff. Staff Briefings are exceptionally popular with staff. Attendance exceeds 80% and they provide not just an opportunity for the Chief Executive to talk directly to staff but an opportunity for them to give their feedback and seek answers to any questions they may have. A simple but effective post-it session at each briefing means staff can give their opinions anonymously if they choose and it has seen engagement levels improve dramatically.

As a Council Sevenoaks deliver a wide range of services to be effective with the limited resources available to them, as their 'One Team' approach is critical to their success. This is exemplified from the top of the organisation by the relationship between the Cabinet and the Management Team to the way in which the Management Team itself works as a cohesive and highly trusting group. There are high levels of trust and respect, but critically a no blame culture. The unique Leadership Masterclass and Personal Best training programmes bring people from different levels of the organisation and different services together to develop their skills together. They hold quarterly staff briefings where everyone is invited to hear from the Chief Executive and the Management Team. The Team Award scheme promotes, recognises and rewards those that work effectively as a team. As a Council the ability to spend sums of money on team events is, as you will appreciate, limited; however an annual event that the Council invites all of its staff to take part in as players, officials or supporters is the Leader of the Council vs. Chief Executive Cricket Match. Staff from all levels of the Council take part, as do Councillors and family members. A Councillor who also happens to be a butcher provides a BBQ each year and the Chief Executive is also known to make sure sufficient drinks are provided for everyone. At least twice each year the Council also arranges Away Day's for the entire Management Team and all Senior Managers. The Away Day's are held at locations within the District, most recently at charity Commonwork Trust at Bore Place.

The Council's Staff Social Club coordinates a range of activities throughout the year to support the work of national and local charities. The Council always supports McMillan Coffee Mornings, Jeans for Genes, Children in Need, Comic Relief and Sports Aid. Activities are arranged for the whole office to take part in, including a bingo competition with the numbers shared over Email during the working day, cake sales and fancy dress. The Council are proud to have raised over £1,000 each year in support of these causes. The organisation's male staff come to the fore each November to support Movember. In 2015 the Council's team of Movember Men raised an incredible £1,200. Additionally the Social Club aims to run each of the events it holds to cover its costs. Where excess funds are generated through raffles and cake sales that money is always passed to a local charity. Many local organisations have benefited in the past, including Hospice in the Weald & Porchlight. Through the Volunteering Policy they aim to offer over 100 volunteering days annually to support organisations working in local communities. Staff are gifted a day’s additional volunteering leave to take part in the cause that matters most to them. The Council provides a HERO Scheme in its local community. The scheme aims to provide support to residents that need assistance with Housing, Energy Costs, Retraining and Employment and other family and budgeting issues.