New Head of Worcestershire's Regulatory Service
appointed
The man who will lead the country's first
all-encompassing Regulatory Service right here in Worcestershire
has pledged to deliver high standards and value for money after
being confirmed in the role this week.
Steve Jorden,
currently head of Environmental Services at Wychavon District
Council, has been given the job of heading up the recently agreed
joint Regulatory Service by a management group consisting of
representatives from across the seven councils involved in
establishing it - Worcestershire County, Wychavon District,
Redditch Borough, Bromsgrove District, Worcester City, Wyre Forest
District and Malvern Hills District.
In February they all agreed the Regulatory
Services business case which will, from June 1, bring together the
Trading Standards function currently carried out by the County
Council with the districts' function in Environmental Health and
Licensing. Bromsgrove District Council will be hosting the
service.
Mr Jorden said: "I am looking
forward to working with staff and members to create a high
performing, cost effective service that is able to meet customer
needs and expectations. We want a service where there is
a strong emphasis on partnership working to provide added
value where staff are well trained, motivated and empowered. The
aim is to have a service that focuses on local priorities and
becomes an example for others to follow."
The new Regulatory Service will be hosted by
Bromsgrove and a joint committee comprising of members from all
councils will govern it. It is estimated that by using a single
management team and transforming the way all three services are
delivered, savings of nearly £1.3 million across all seven councils
can be made.
Kevin Dicks, Chief Executive of
Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Councils, added:
"This is an exciting opportunity to share best practice across all
councils and the appointment of the Head of Service is an important
milestone in this pioneering project.
Councils across Worcestershire are leading the
way on this project which, as the first of its kind, will
definitely put us on the national map for best practice. Most
importantly our residents will notice the difference too as we
provide more joined up and efficient services for them."
