Community organisations contribute to local participation, belonging and voluntary activity in Alderstead. They can include charities, faith groups, clubs, societies, resident groups and heritage organisations.

Working with the council

The council may engage, consult or work in partnership with organisations where this supports a local council function. The terms of any funding, commission or formal partnership should be recorded separately from ordinary community engagement.

Independence

An organisation does not become part of Alderstead Council simply because the council works with it, signposts residents to it or supports an activity. Its own governing body remains responsible for the organisation unless a formal public-body arrangement provides otherwise.

Public information about organisations

When the council publishes or signposts information about an organisation, it should be clear whether the organisation is independent, commissioned, funded or formally partnered with the council. This lets residents understand the nature of the relationship and prevents ordinary engagement from being mistaken for council control or public-body status.

Working with Alderstead Council

A community organisation may engage with the council informally, respond to consultations, receive a grant, deliver commissioned activity or enter a formal partnership. Those relationships are different and are recorded accordingly. The council does not describe an independent organisation as part of the authority merely because it has worked with or funded it.

This distinction helps residents understand who is responsible for an activity, who controls any personal information involved and which organisation should deal with a complaint about the activity.