REPORT
FROM THE CABINET MEMBER FOR RESOURCES AND PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL EMPOWERMENT
TO
THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL
ON 21
MARCH 2007
1.
Financial Issues:
·
Despite
difficult circumstances, the Finance Directorate continues to deliver its
functions.
·
The Revenues and
Benefits Service been rated as 4 star ie
Excellent.
·
The Council’s
budget has been finalised – and thanks and congratulations to Stuart Fraser and
his staff for pulling it all together.
·
The Council tax
bills have been issued by Revenues and Benefits – no mean feat in such a short
time.
·
Apart from
delivering the budget, the accountants have produced drafts of both the Medium
Term Financial Plan and the Capital Strategy, both of which will be considered
by the Cabinet soon (Scheduled for April 3rd).
·
The Finance
directorate continues to take a lead in improving the Council’s Use of
Resources assessment (part of CPA).
·
As part of the
Use of Resources theme on Value for Money (VFM) the directorate has delivered a
series of workshops for senior managers. They were attended by over 80 staff.
·
Directors Team
has now considered and agreed what the Council’s strategic risks are.
2.
People & Organisation Development
The Chief Executive has
begun the consultation process on the proposed corporate structure and intends
to take a delegated decision in the next few days.
A programme of actions to
address issues raised in the staff survey is being prepared. This will include: revision to the Bullying
& Harassment and Whistleblowing policies, release of Directorate and sub
Directorate specific results, training and communications.
Progress continues to
re-organise and re-vitalise out HR function (conference, recruitment and minor
restructure).
P.T.O
An offer has been made and
accepted to an external candidate (Marcus Elsom) for the post of Head of
Information Management and Performance within (Adult &) Community Services.
Director’s team held an
awayday to plan the programme and resources for all major change projects
including the High Impact Projects and other ‘
One appointment has been
made and recruitment is underway to fill 2 new equality & Diversity Officer
posts to accelerate our progress towards our Level 5 target (currently Level 2).
Cllr Jilly Wood
Cabinet Member for
Resouces, Town/Parish Council Empowerment