About your Council

The Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 – Public Inspection Notice

Notice of the Commencement of the Period for the Exercise of Public Rights

The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015

The period for the exercise of public rights commences on the 18 June 2021 and will conclude at 5pm on the 29 July 2021.

The following documents will be made available:

• The Draft Statement of Accounts
• The Annual Governance Statement
• The Narrative Report

The Council’s accounts are subject to external audit by Hassan Rohimun of Ernst and Young, No. 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham B4 6HQ.

• From 5pm on 18 June 2021 to 5pm on 29 July 2021 any person may inspect the accounting records of the Council for the financial year to 31 March 2021 and certain related documents (comprising books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts) at the address given below. They may also request copies of the accounts and documents.
• From 5pm on 18 June 2021 to 29 July 2021 at the request of a local government elector, the local auditor must give the elector, or any representative of the elector, an opportunity to question the auditor about the accounting records of the Council.
• From 5pm on 18 June 2021 until the conclusion of the audit process a local government elector for the area of the Council or their representative may object to the Council’s accounts asking that the auditor issue a report in the public interest or apply for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful under section 28 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Written notice of the proposed objection and the grounds on which it is made must be sent to the auditor at the address given above and also copied to the Council at the address given below.

Jayne Pickering
Deputy Chief Executive
Wychavon District Council
Civic Offices
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore WR10 1PT

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council are recommended, pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to produce a modern slavery and human trafficking statement.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 defines slavery as:

• a person holds another person in slavery or servitude and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is held in slavery or servitude, or
• the person requires another person to perform forced or compulsory labour and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is being required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

The Act defines Human Trafficking as:

• a person commits an offence if the person arranges or facilitates the travel of another person with a view exploiting that person.
• a person is exploited if one or more of the following apply in relation to the person - slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

What are we doing?

We are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. As part of Local Government, we recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. In addition to our responsibility as an employer, we also acknowledge we have a duty as District Councils to notify the Secretary of State of suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking as introduced by section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

We are absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities and to ensure our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking. 

Malvern Hills District Council has a five year plan (2020-2025) which identifies three strategic priorities: Our Communities; Our Economy and Our Environment. 

Key action that covers the prevention of slavery and tackling human tracking includes but is not limited to: Work with partners to reduce the crimes most affecting our district through supporting communities, delivering education and awareness campaigns, coordinating community days of action, property marking events and road safety campaigns across the district.

Wychavon District Council’s Strategic Plan (2020-2024) which also identifies three priorities: Supporting People; Strong Economy and Places; and Sustainable Environment.

Key action that covers the prevention of slavery and tackling human trafficking includes but is not limited to: Work with partners to reduce the crimes most affecting our district through supporting communities, delivering education campaigns, coordinating community days of action and awareness campaigns on cyber-crime, domestic abuse and road safety.

We also put personal integrity, honesty and respect for others along with recognising the diversity and equality of individuals at the core of our overall values.

Through the above, we firmly put community leadership at the heart of everything we do and therefore are committed to the various elements supporting this overall vision which include combating slavery and human trafficking.

Organisational Structure:

This statement covers the full activities of Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council and its organisational structures.

Our Supply Chains:

We purchase goods and services under robust contract procedure rules which include a commitment to ethical purchasing and equality and diversity in procurement.

We expect all suppliers to adhere to the same principles and would always aim to ensure that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of its business.

We recognise that we all have a responsibility to be alert to the risks, however small, in our business and in the wider supply chain.

We have identified the Director of Housing and Communities as the single point of contact for council officers to report any concerns or suspicions that may arise as they carry out their day to day activities.  The Director of Housing and Communities also has a duty to report relevant matters to the Home Office.

To date we have not identified or been notified of any slavery or human trafficking activities in our supply chain or in any part of the business.  If we did become aware of such issues we would act immediately.

Although we have robust processes in place we remain committed to improving all aspects of its business and further actions proposed include:

• The provision of awareness through communication and training – to both officers and elected members
• Ensuring specifications include a commitment from suppliers to support the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Not awarding contracts where suppliers do not demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in their own business or supply chains
• An on-going commitment and expectations from officers to be included in future revisions to our contract procedure rules and financial regulations
• Protection of whistle blowers.

Cllr. Sarah Rouse
Leader of Council 
Malvern Hills District Council

Vic Allison
Chief Executive
Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils

Cllr. Bradley Thomas
Leader of Council
Wychavon District Council

Our magazine is published twice a year and is delivered to all households within the Wychavon district.

It covers a range of stories and useful articles about the services we provide and also what's happening in and around the area.

pdf Download WYCHAVON magazine Spring 2024 issue. (14.28 MB)

If you live in the area, but do not receive a copy of our magazine, please contact our Communications Manager by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For media and press enquiries:

Please call 01386 565102 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Communications Team

Ian Dipple - Head of Communications 
Ian leads media liaison, corporate communications, marketing solutions and advertising. He also looks after WYCHAVON – our residents' magazine, branding, reputation management, plain English advice and overall management of the Communications Team. Ian also manages external clients who buy graphics, web and marketing support from us.

Katie Hewitt-Brake - Marketing and Communications Officer
Katie leads on social media and external and internal communications. She is a media liaison who also supports marketing and video content for Wychavon.

Cleo Spence - Web Content Officer
Cleo is the lead for the website. She manages content, reviewing and structuring content based on analytics, SEO and our brand and style guidelines.

Vicki Wadley, Gemma Lewis and Jessica Hutchins - Graphic Designers
Vicki, Gemma and Jess provide creative and innovative design solutions for promotional materials and place the majority of Wychavon's advertising. They also ensure our brand guidelines are upheld and co-ordinate the printing of work. They also provide branding and design solutions for external clients. pdf View our WychDesign portfolio. (4.88 MB)