According to John Clay, General Manager, Service Planning and Contracts, the opportunity to review all Council services is a major benefit of amalgamation. In drawing Elizabeth and Munno Para together, a thorough review of all services provided by the two former Councils has helped establish the best means of delivering services in the future.
A total of 34 working groups were set up to review practices in their own area and offer suggestions for improved service delivery. The reviews have looked at differences in former work practices, including service objectives and resource implications.
As well as documenting existing services and assisting with specification development for future contracts, the process dovetails into establishing performance indicators. Once a working group completed its review, the recommendations were presented to the Management Committee for consideration.
All reviews were completed by the end of 1997. As a result of the service review, Council has already been able to streamline services in a number of areas. These include libraries services, asset management, the Elizabeth Civic Centre and the Playford Children’s Centre.
This ‘fresh start’ approach to service delivery has enabled staff to program their work better, monitor their performance and approach the future with a new confidence.
For further information contact John Clay, telephone (08) 8254 0222.
