The Council’s turnover is c.£140million each year. The range of services provided is very varied and complex. Increasing levels of partnership working, an ongoing drive for greater efficiency and more focus on good customer service mean that we are starting to develop new models for service delivery that will drive change and different ways of working.
In addition to the traditional district council services, the City Council provides a comprehensive range of leisure and arts and community development activities. These include: swimming pools and sports facilities; the Corn Exchange (a regional entertainment venue); an internationally renowned Folk Festival; a number of free open air events in our parks and open spaces; and a range of community centres.
The Council allocates discretionary grants each year to enable the voluntary and not-for-profit sector in the City to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well being of City residents. The Council takes its role as community leader seriously and is committed to listening and responding to the concerns of local people expressed through a range of initiatives designed to consult and involve them in what the Council does.
The Council employs around 1150 staff across six departments, based at various locations across the City. These are:
· Chief Executive's provides overall management for the Council and is responsible for human resources
· Customer and Democratic Services is responsible for the customer service centre, legal services, committee services, elections, strategy and partnerships and members' services
· City Services is responsible for fleet and waste management, building maintenance, grounds maintenance, street and building cleansing, parking services and CCTV
· Community Services is responsible for housing services, independent living services, community development, arts and entertainments, parks and recreation, crematorium and cemeteries
· Environment and Planning is responsible for planning policy and research, tourism and city centre management, development services, building control, historic buildings and conservation, environmental services, transport planning and transport services
· Finance is responsible for benefits, audit and accountancy, council tax, business rates, property management, architecture, strategic procurement and contract management for Information Technology.