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Maidstone Borough Council

Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 3 April 2012

The Council as a Business? Review

Report of: Overview & Scrutiny Officer

 1.     Introduction

1.1        At the meeting of the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 7 June 2011, Members agreed to carry out a review of the Council as a Business, exploring the financial restraints the Council face and how savings and income generation could be achieved in a more innovative manner.

1.2        The Committee agreed to focus its review on the following objectives:

·         What does Maidstone Borough Council want to be and what do our residents want from us including identifying who our customers are and what their requirements are;

·         Establish what the Council perceives its core function to be now and in the future and what statutory services we must provide;

·         Establish the funding opportunities are available to the Council;

·         Identify the factors that are currently considered when savings are made and practical measures and actions for future savings and increasing revenue, income and service improvement;

·         Establish where the Council sees itself in 4 years time; and

·         Identify how the culture of Maidstone Borough council can be more business focussed.

 2.     Recommendation

2.1              Members are recommended to consider the draft report of the Council as a Business Review and make amendments and suggestions as appropriate. 

2.2    Following any requested amendments to the report, Members are recommended to approve this for submission to the appropriate Cabinet Member and external bodies.

3.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

3.1     The Committee will consider reports that deliver against the Council’s priorities:

·      ‘Corporate and Customer Excellence’

·       ‘For Maidstone to have a growing economy ‘; and

·       ‘For Maidstone to be a decent place to live’;

3.2     The Strategic Plan sets the Council’s key objectives for the medium term and has a range of objectives which support the delivery of the Council’s priorities.  The Committee’s work will contribute to the delivery of these key objectives over the next year.