Corporate Services

The Corporate Services department supports frontline services across the council and sustains excellent levels of corporate management. The department has the Investors in people award and employs around 200 staff, organised into seven service areas:

  • Customer Services
  • Finance
  • ICT Services
  • Legal Services
  • Human Resources
  • Corporate Property
  • Democratic and Registration Services

Our CPA (Comprehensive Performance Assessment) gave our corporate assessment a score 3 out of a possible 4 – one of the highest score of any CPA rankings in Local Government. This score reflects a strong and effective corporate centre, which delivers quality services and lasting improvements.

Customer Services

Provides a key front-line service by being the first point of contact for customers calling the council's main telephone number. Customer Services also deal with customer enquiries at two reception areas and emails sent to it's own email address. Enquiries about environmental issues, tenants' repairs and a range of frequently asked questions are dealt with by Customer Services, as first point of contact.

Finance

The largest of the seven divisions of Corporate Services, Finance is headed by the Borough Treasurer. A secure and dependable financial system is one of the key foundations for the Council. The division includes accountancy and exchequer services, procurement, internal audit, payroll and insurance.

Information and Communications Technology Services

Provides in-house ICT support and consultancy to all the council's service departments and support to the council where online services are being developed giving the public access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The team also has responsibility for corporate ICT standards and long-term strategy.

Legal Services

Provides a broad legal service to the council on a range of subjects including planning law, housing, contracts and conveyancing, employment law, education and social services issues.

Human Resources

There are Human Resources teams in each of the council’s departments, which retain a strong professional reporting line to the Borough HR Manager, but uniquely the HR team in Corporate Services also has a responsibility for Human Resources matters which extend across the entire organisation. It is from this section that many key corporate employment policies and practices are produced and the Learning and Development needs of the council are met.

Corporate Property

Corporate Property is responsible for managing the council's corporate estate and asset management along with providing a comprehensive building management service. The section also provides Town Centre management and is actively involved in the Town Centre regeneration.

Democratic and Registration Services

Provides servicing for committees and working groups, as well as services to councillors and general office administration services. Registration Services include elections and electoral registration, registration of births, deaths and marriages.