It’s been a busy old week, starting with a scrutiny panel looking at Shared Services, to Single Site at Full Council, Shared Services coming to Cabinet and the Government announcing the White Paper looking at Local Government.

The Shared Services issue is a massively complex and emotive issue for Wyre Forest District Council.  The facts of the case seem to change as to whom is quoting them.  It would seem that the Hospital Group are jumping on the Band Wagon, and just opposing the issue for Political Capital, which is pretty sad.  The underlying issue is that the business case identifies that Wyre Forest District Councils participation in Revenue and Benefits shared service could save the District Tax payer up to £470,000 per year.  I certainly think it warrants a good hard look at the issue before dismissing it out of hand.

Single Site.  It was good to see Council tackle an issue which has been dogging the Council for a number of years.  Our plans will see the Councils existing assets used to provide a new Civic Centre in Kidderminster which will accommodate all of the Councils office staff.  It will also see a new depot in Kidderminster and a new Civic Hall/Riverside Theatre for Stourport.  The plan will see a reduction in the annual cost of providing accommodation for the Councils staff.

The White Paper.  I’ve only just begun wading through the paper which is over an inch thick.  The headlines seem to be directly elected mayors, directly elected leaders, lighter touch assessments, more local by laws.  We will see the full extent as I continue to wade through it!

Apart for the not yet completed front enterance, the improvements were generally well recieved by members.

The big test will be what the public make of it when it opens on 14th November.

The ARZ will give the local Police an additional tool in the fight against anti social behaviour.  The powers will only be used when alchol is connected to anti social behaviour so it wont effect people having picnics etc in the park.

The Sutton Park Conservative Team will now hand over the responses to the District Council.

As part of the works the Music Room, Council Chamber, Court Room, and Mayors Parlour have all been redecorated.  The new lick of paint has really brought out some of the wonderful detail of the building.

The Mayors Balcony has also been repaired after it was damaged some years ago.

The Worcestershire Hub contact centre at the Town Hall will open on the 14th November this year, with the offical opening some time later in the year.

"Dud hub...

Lady phones us. Recycling bins by Offmore Community Centre are overflowing. Fran phones main Council Number. It takes 7 minutes to get through! When she gets through staff don't know who to tell!

If they can't even do that what exactly are they there for?

Fran is now rattling Chief Executive's chains!"

The above featured on the Liberals web site today.

It annoyed me for a couple of reasons.

Firstly the Wyre Forest Hubs' telephone answering stats are excellent (avg 13secs in Sept which is best in the County) and secondly Cllr Mrs Oborski is equiped with a Council telephone directory, so rather then use the Hub she could have dialed the Comercial services directly.  She is also equiped with a Council Laptop, so she could also have emailed..............

The Hub telephoney is currently located in a temporary facility at Green Street until it shortly moves to the Town Hall in Kidderminster.  The location is far from ideal, as its noisy and high in people movements, so rather then knocking our hard working staff Cllr Mrs Oborski should recognise their achievements.

County Wide Stats for September: 

Percentage of Calls answered within 15 seconds:

Bromsgrove  53%

Redditch 47%

Wyre Forest  76%

Malvern Hills  71%

Worcester City  41%