Council services
The future - we have a cunning plan or two
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Business and Service Plans
Wokingham Borough Council like any other organisation requires direction. Without service and business plans, resources would not be targeted strategically resulting in a reduced level of service to residents.
The direction of the organisation is led by residents, through representatives voted onto the Borough Council, and also by public consultation. This guidance, alongside direction from central government, enables Council Officers to put together Business Plans for their organisation as a whole, and individual Services, such as the Countryside Service and its Service plan.
These plans enable officers to bid for resources in a co-ordinated manner and help the Council prioritise its objectives. At a Service level the Service plan helps our team focus on agreed priorities, helpful when there are so many differing objectives vying for attention.
A brief summary of the Countryside Service's plan can be found below, whilst Wokingham Borough Council's Environmental Services Department, which encompasses the Countryside Service, has it own business plan setting the whole department's objectives for the current year.
Countryside Service Plan
This sets out the Countryside Service's objectives for the next three years.
The following are 6 core areas of our business:
Quality of Life
Residents of the district have regularly (through MORI polls and other forms of independent research) expressed their desire for the provision of quality countryside for people and wildlife in the district. Whilst Wokingham is under considerable pressure from development there are still many opportunities to ensure that we improve both habitats and habitat management and access to benefit all. Our aims to improve the biodiversity of the district are set out in the Countryside Service's Biodiversity Action Plan.
Partnership
The Countryside Service is committed to working alongside other organisations and individuals. There has long been recognition that to achieve our aims we need to ensure that we involve all. We have several good examples of partnership working with the community, outside businesses and national organisations. These partnerships assist in many areas including promotional work, access initiatives, funding conservation activities and site management.
Best Value
The Service strives to provide the best service possible within the budget allocated by the Borough Council. We endeavour to ensure that residents get a quality package at a price compatible with other agencies.
People
The strength of any organisation lies in the well being of its work force. The countryside team work in a very open atmosphere and work hard to ensure that everyone within the team has a voice that is listened to. The team is a balanced group of individuals all with differing specialities but with common goals. We provide a safe working environment in keeping with corporate guidelines and have personal development plans to ensure that we have agreed targets and objectives in line with corporate aims and objectives.
Customer Care
We are committed to ensuring that Wokingham residents have a say in the management of the district's countryside. We have a comprehensive consultation process and a network of 'Friends Groups' and Forums throughout the district. Our 'Whats On' is tailored to appeal to all sectors of the community, promoting awareness and enjoyment of our countryside.
Statutory Obligations
Although our service is not a statutory one we have a statutory commitment to our wildlife sites ie Sites of Special Scientific Interest (Countryside and Rights of Way Act) and Wildlife Heritage Sites and our lakes designated as reservoirs. We have statutory duties to adhere to in the area of Health and Safety. Maintaining and managing public rights of way is also a statutory function of the Service.
Residents of the district have regularly (through MORI polls and other forms of independent research) expressed their desire for the provision of quality countryside for people and wildlife in the district. Whilst Wokingham is under considerable pressure from development there are still many opportunities to ensure that we improve both habitats and habitat management and access to benefit all. Our aims to improve the biodiversity of the district are set out in the Countryside Service's Biodiversity Action Plan.
Partnership
The Countryside Service is committed to working alongside other organisations and individuals. There has long been recognition that to achieve our aims we need to ensure that we involve all. We have several good examples of partnership working with the community, outside businesses and national organisations. These partnerships assist in many areas including promotional work, access initiatives, funding conservation activities and site management.
Best Value
The Service strives to provide the best service possible within the budget allocated by the Borough Council. We endeavour to ensure that residents get a quality package at a price compatible with other agencies.
People
The strength of any organisation lies in the well being of its work force. The countryside team work in a very open atmosphere and work hard to ensure that everyone within the team has a voice that is listened to. The team is a balanced group of individuals all with differing specialities but with common goals. We provide a safe working environment in keeping with corporate guidelines and have personal development plans to ensure that we have agreed targets and objectives in line with corporate aims and objectives.
Customer Care
We are committed to ensuring that Wokingham residents have a say in the management of the district's countryside. We have a comprehensive consultation process and a network of 'Friends Groups' and Forums throughout the district. Our 'Whats On' is tailored to appeal to all sectors of the community, promoting awareness and enjoyment of our countryside.
Statutory Obligations
Although our service is not a statutory one we have a statutory commitment to our wildlife sites ie Sites of Special Scientific Interest (Countryside and Rights of Way Act) and Wildlife Heritage Sites and our lakes designated as reservoirs. We have statutory duties to adhere to in the area of Health and Safety. Maintaining and managing public rights of way is also a statutory function of the Service.
