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Maidstone Borough Council

Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Cabinet Member for Corporate Services:

Plans and Priorities for 2008-09

Report of: Senior Overview and Scrutiny Officer

1.      Introduction

1.1        The Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee is responsible for holding to account those Cabinet Members whose portfolios fall within the remit of the Committee. 

1.2        The key Cabinet Members whose portfolios relate to the Committee are the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.

2.      Cabinet Member for Corporate Services

2.1        The areas of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services’ portfolio that are relevant to the Committee are as follows:

·         Corporate Services – to oversee the development, review and application of the Council’s personnel policies including staff structures, training and health and safety policies; to oversee the operation of the legal advice service and corporate financial advice service to the Council; to be responsible for the operation and administration of the Council Tax and Housing Benefit systems.

·         Risk Management – to be responsible for and report to the Cabinet on all matters relating to risk management.

·         Property, Procurement and Projects – to oversee the operation of the Property, Procurement and Projects section in the provision of its support to all sectors of the Council; to be responsible for the development and implementation of the Procurement Policy and Strategy and to act as a service’s member’s champion.

·         Asset Management – to be responsible for the disposal, acquisition and management of all the Council’s land and property.

·         Delivery –Ensuring that the Council meets its objectives under the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.

·         Customer Contact – to improve existing methods of customer contact.

·         Complaints – to be responsible for the development, review and application of the Council’s Complaints Procedure.

·         E-Government – to be responsible for the development of e-government within the Council; to be responsible for the development, review and application of the Council’s IT and Communications Strategy.

·         Democratic Services – improving electoral turnout and participation.

·         Land Charges – to oversee the operation of the land charges function.

2.2     The Cabinet Member has submitted a short outline of his priorities for the coming year which is attached at Appendix A for Members’ information.

3.      Recommendation

3.1     The areas of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services’ portfolio that are relevant to the Committee are outlined at section 2.1.  Members are recommended to consider these, and ask questions of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services with regard to his plans and priorities for the year for these areas.

3.2     Furthermore, Members are recommended to make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services with regard to his plans and priorities for the year.

3.3     Members are reminded that “Quality Recommendations” are those that adhere to the following categories:

·         Recommendations that affect and make a difference to local people;

·         Recommendations that result in a change in policy that improves services;

·         Recommendations that identify savings and maintain/improve service quality; or

·         Recommendations that objectively identify a solution.