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100706_CS_CorpServ_ Vision

 

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

CORPORATE SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

TUESDAY 6 JULY 2010

 

REPORT OF HEAD OF CHANGE AND SCRUTINY

 

Report prepared by Esther Bell

 

 

1.           Cabinet Member for Corporate services – Plans and Priorities for 2010-11

 

1.1        Issue for Consideration

 

1.1.1   To consider the written vision statement of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services regarding her plans and priorities for 2010-11.

 

1.2        Recommendation of the Head of Change and Scrutiny

        

1.2.1   The Committee is recommended to consider the Cabinet Member’s vision statement attached at Appendix A regarding her plans and priorities for 2010-11 relevant to the Committee’s remit and make recommendations if required.

 

1.2.2   The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services will be in attendance at the Committee’s meeting as a Visiting Member to respond to any questions.  Members are therefore also recommended to ask the Cabinet Member questions regarding her vision as they see fit.

 

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

 

1.3.1   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. 

 

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

 

1.3.3   At its meeting on 1 June 2010, the Committee considered its future work programme and agreed to receive written Vision Statements from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and the Leader rather than inviting them for interview to set out their priorities for 2010/11.  The Cabinet Member advised that she would be in attendance at its meeting so that she was able to respond to any questions regarding her vision statement. 

 

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

 

·         Corporate Services

To take the lead within the Cabinet for ensuring that the Council delivers efficient and effective public 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; and 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; and To be responsible for the development and implementation of the Procurement Policy and Strategy and to act as a service’s members’ champion.

 

·         Asset Management

    • To be responsible for the disposal, acquisition and management of all the Council's land and property.

 

·         Regulatory

    • To ensure that the Council meets its objectives and obligations under the Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

 

·         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; and 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.

 

·         Budget Monitoring

o   To be responsible for monitoring the Council’s budget during the year.

·         Planning for Real

    • To be responsible for the provision of this scheme.

 

1.4        Alternative Action and Why Not Recommended

 

1.4.1   The Committee could choose not to consider the Cabinet Member’s Vision, however in doing so they would not be fulfilling the crucial role of holding the executive to account.

 

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

 

1.5.1   The Committee should seek to review whether the Cabinet Member’s vision is aligned to the Council’s corporate objectives as set out in the forward plan.

 

1.6        Risk Management

 

1.6.1 There are no risks involved in considering the vision statement or in interviewing the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.

 

1.7        Other Implications

 

1.7.1    

1.      Financial

 

 

2.           Staffing

 

 

 

3.           Legal

 

 

4.           Equality Impact Needs Assessment

 

 

 

5.           Environmental/Sustainable Development

 

 

6.           Community Safety

 

 

7.           Human Rights Act

 

 

8.           Procurement

 

 

9.           Asset Management