This collection of services covers six areas: Customer First, the Council’s customer services section; Human Resources; ICT; Property; Procurement; and Modernisation. The service is a focal point for the Council’s own strategic theme of Modern Council, in addition to its adoption of the four ISP themes of Healthy and Supportive Island, Safe and Well-Kept Island; Thriving Island; Inspiring Island.
Much of this Service’s work concentrates on improved access to high quality local services. This equality of access is an important factor in social cohesion in communities. This Service, although experiencing change itself, will also be supporting other Council colleagues in the delivery of change within the Council, to deliver Eco Island. There are a range of opportunities to streamline the way the Council works and serves its residents. There are also opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of the Council, through improved use of modern technologies. This will permit flexible/home working, cutting congestion and the related emissions, improving people’s quality of working life and, based on peer authorities’ evidence, improve productivity.
The Council will review its building stock, exploring opportunities for consolidation, sustainable development, energy efficiency and co-location where appropriate. Front-of-house services across the Island will benefit from improved ICT links, making service information available to more staff and, therefore, improving services to residents. It is hoped that three renewable energy schemes will be installed in Council or partner buildings in the coming year.
The service will also oversee the development of the Island Observatory. This will be the way that the Council and partners share data in a totally secure environment, to be able to identify trends and issues for residents across the Island. This data will be used and shared to enable detailed service planning, to target services to where they are most needed. This data bank will hold information which will enable the ISP to improve the Island’s social, economic and environmental wellbeing and will be gathered together in the same place for the first time.
The Council’s financial services team will work with partners to ensure that the Eco Island vision is delivered and funded within available resources. In addition, as the accountable body of the ISP, the Council’s finance team will ensure that appropriate systems and funding structures are in place, to support and demonstrate effective and sound partnership working and delivery of the key objectives.
In addition to providing support for the Council’s decision making processes and for elected representatives, this service also runs Electoral Services, Land Charges and Parish and Community Development (the Council’s liaison point with parish and town councils). In doing so, this Service area contributes directly to the social wellbeing of the Island, by working in localities to strengthen local communities and build better local governance. .
The Council supports the daily operation of the ISP through the Partnerships Team. This team monitors the Council’s many partnerships, liaising on them with the Audit Commission to ensure good risk management and value for money. The Partnerships Team has worked with partners across the ISP to develop Eco Island, and will support partners to deliver the Eco Island Action Plan.
If you would like to comment on Eco Island or would like more information, please email info@eco-island.org.uk or visit the Eco Island contacts page.
