Derbyshire County Council Leader Induction Checklist

Assuming the role of Leader of Derbyshire County Council is a significant responsibility. The first weeks set the tone for how effectively the Leader can guide the council, build relationships and deliver on the service commitments made to the people of Derbyshire. This page provides a concise, practical checklist that covers the essential tasks, meetings and documentation a new Leader should complete within the first 90 days. The checklist is divided into three phases PreStart, First Week and First Three Months each with its own set of actions and resources.

1. PreStart (Before the First Day)

• Confirm statutory inductions: Ensure your induction package includes the Councillors Code of Conduct, Health & Safety briefings and dataprotection training. The Councils Human Resources department will arrange these.
• Obtain a copy of the current Strategic Plan: Familiarise yourself with the Vision, Objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that underpin the Countys policy agenda.
• Read the latest Annual Report and Accounts: Note the financial position, reserves, major projects and any outstanding audit recommendations.
• Schedule introductory meetings: Arrange onetoone sessions with the Chief Executive, Deputy Leader, Chief Financial Officer, and the Head of Corporate Services. Add a slot with the Leader of the Opposition group to understand their priorities.
• Review the Leaders Charter: This outlines expectations around transparency, community engagement and decisionmaking processes.
• Set up secure email & digital access: Request a dedicated council email address, access to the Council Intranet, SharePoint sites, and any relevant collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Slack).
• Prepare a personal communication plan: Draft a brief introductory message to be published on the council website and social media channels.

2. First Week (Day 1 Day 7)

2.1 Formal Induction Sessions

• Attend the mandatory Council Induction Programme typically a twoday event covering governance, legal duties, and the councils constitution.
• Complete the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion briefing essential for setting an inclusive tone throughout your tenure.
• Participate in a riskmanagement overview with the Chief Risk Officer. Identify any immediate highrisk areas that require attention.

2.2 Key Meetings

• Chief Executive & Deputy Leader: Clarify the division of responsibilities, decisionmaking protocols and the role of the Executive Board.
• Cabinet SubCommittees: Attend the first meetings of the Planning & Building, Education, Childrens Services, and Transport subcommittees to hear ongoing discussions and any urgent items on the agenda.
• Local Authority Partners: Meet with representatives from Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, and other neighboring authorities to discuss shared services and joint initiatives.
• External Stakeholders: Set up introductory calls with the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, NHS Derbyshire CCG, and local enterprise partnerships.

2.3 Immediate Administrative Tasks

• Confirm your council registration details with Companies House ensure the correct officer details are recorded.
• Update your profile on the councils public website include a professional portrait, biosketch and contact details.
• Verify that you have an uptodate personal indemnity cover and that any conflictofinterest registers are completed.
• Set up a secure, encrypted backup for personal notes and documents related to council business.

3. First Three Months (Days 8 90)

3.1 Strategic Review

Conduct a rapid but thorough assessment of the Councils strategic priorities. Use the table below to capture the status of each major programme.

Programme / Project	Lead Owner	Current Status	Key Risks	Immediate Action Needed
Derbyshire Schools Improvement Plan	Director of Education	On schedule, but staffing shortages flagged	Recruitment, budget constraints	Commission a recruitment acceleration taskforce
HS2 & Transport Corridor Studies	Head of Transport	Consultation phase completed	Environmental impact, community opposition	Facilitate a public forum for stakeholder feedback
Digital Services Transformation	Chief Information Officer	Pilot in two districts	Data migration, user adoption	Allocate additional resources for change management
Community Services Budget Realignment	Chief Financial Officer	Draft budget under review	Service cuts risk, public backlash	Develop a mitigation communication strategy

3.2 Governance & Accountability

• Review the minutes of the last six council meetings note any pending actions that involve the Leaders portfolio.
• Confirm the schedule for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the Councils Plenary Sessions for the coming year.
• Ensure the Leaders annual declaration of interests is submitted to the Standards Committee.
• Set up a quarterly performance dashboard that aligns with the Councils KPI framework.

3.3 Communication & Engagement

• Publish a First 100 Days update on the council website summarise key meetings, decisions and any policy shifts.
• Host an opendoor town hall in Derby City Centre give residents direct access to ask questions and raise concerns.
• Launch a regular newsletter for councillors, staff and partners keep it concise, outcomefocused and include a Whats Next section.
• Coordinate with the Councils media team to develop a crisiscommunication protocol for emergencies (e.g., flooding, major service disruptions).

3.4 Team Development & Culture

• Hold a onehour briefing with all senior officers to discuss the Councils values and the behavioural standards expected from senior leadership.
• Introduce a mentorship scheme for newly elected councillors pair them with experienced members to accelerate their learning curve.
• Assess the current diversity and inclusion metrics set shortterm targets for recruitment and promotion within the senior team.
• Introduce a wellbeing checkin for staff ensure the pressures of council service are being managed responsibly.

3.5 Review of Legal & Statutory Obligations

• Confirm compliance with the Local Government Act 1972, the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and any relevant EU or postBrexit legislation affecting service delivery.
• Conduct a brief audit of the councils dataprotection register verify that all data processing activities have a lawful basis.
• Ensure the councils procurement policies are fully aligned with the Public Contracts Regulations (2023) especially for any upcoming largescale contracts.

4. Key Success Indicators for the First 90 Days

• Stakeholder confidence: Positive feedback from the Chief Executive, elected members and external partners as measured through a structured questionnaire.
• Decisionmaking speed: Reduction in the average time taken to move items from agenda to resolution by at least 15%.
• Transparency: All mandatory disclosures, conflictofinterest registers and statutory reports submitted on time.
• Public engagement: A minimum of 500 residents participating in the town hall and online forums combined.
• Team morale: An internal pulse survey indicating no decline in staff satisfaction relative to the previous quarter.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

5.1 Who should I contact if I am unsure about a statutory duty?

The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is the primary point of reference for statutory queries. For quick guidance, the Councils Legal Helpdesk email (legal.helpdesk@derbyshire.gov.uk) is monitored during business hours.

5.2 How long do I have to complete the conflictofinterest register?

The register must be submitted within the first 30 days of taking office. Any changes to interests after that date must be reported within ten working days of the change.

5.3 What is the best way to keep track of upcoming deadlines?

Integrate the councils shared calendar with your personal Outlook or Google Calendar. Set reminders at least two weeks before each major deadline (budget submission, procurement tenders, statutory reports).

5.4 I have a suggestion for a new service initiative who should I approach?

Present the idea to the relevant cabinet member (e.g., Health & Adult Social Care for new health services). If it cuts across multiple departments, the Deputy Leader can facilitate a crossportfolio working group.

6. Conclusion

The Derbyshire County Council Leader Induction Checklist is a roadmap, not a rigid timetable. By following the structured phases preparing before the first day, completing essential inductions in week one, and consolidating governance, communication and strategic actions over the first three months a new Leader can establish credibility, drive forward the councils priorities and lay a solid foundation for longterm success. Remember that continual reflection, open dialogue with elected members and a commitment to transparent service delivery are the hallmarks of effective leadership in local government.