Surreyjobs.info | Pages

Introduction

A town with a wealth of history, Guildford has changed considerably in just the last twenty years. From a classic commuter town has sprung a lively and dynamic community with its own vibrant economy, arts scene, tourist attractions and cosmopolitan population.

Boosted by the relocation of the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) in the nineties, now many other regional bodies and commercial organisations, particularly in the private sector, have moved to the area. The job of the Council is to support the infrastructure and services demanded by the local community, in response not just to these economic changes, but to the demands of living in an area that is a regional centre for leisure, business, education, shopping and culture.

Our Mission Statement puts it neatly: "A forward looking, efficiently run Council, underpinning the vision by providing first-class services that give the community value for money."

Accountability Counts

Guildford Borough Council is a hugely diverse organization. We deliver a wide range of services and employ people with an even more diverse range of skills. And we firmly believe this diversity helps us generate the ideas and ingenuity needed to address the often complex issues our communities face.

Underlying our approach are some fundamental priorities. These are:

Value for money: We aim to provide efficient, cost-effective and relevant public services.
Environment and heritage: Our vision states that we are a Borough which "shows pride in its local heritage, whilst seeking opportunity and choice for future generations." We aim to preserve and enhance a sustainable environment, both rural and urban, within Guildford Borough. Guildford is an exceptionally beautiful place, with some 70% of land designated as green belt.
Social cohesion: We aim to ensure that our diverse community can live in safety and dignity. Recent achievements range from more affordable housing to new community support officers.
Culture: Supporting a diverse range of high-quality cultural activities and facilities is a priority for the Borough. These range from the award-winning Spectrum Leisure Complex to parks and countryside, play development and the Electric Theatre.
Dynamic Economy: We aim to encourage a vibrant business and knowledge based local economy. Guildford town centre was voted the safest, most attractive shopping destination in the UK by shop managers in thirty towns and cities. A business and economy plan has been agreed as part of the community plan. This reflects the shared aims of the business and residential community.

Core Values Guiding Service Delivery

Behind what we do is a set of Core Values that spells out the kind of organisation that we are. We are a communicating authority, listening and informing both our staff and the public.

the Council will provide timely, reliable and targeted public services
the Council will focus on providing what the community needs
the Council will be an excellent employer. encouraging a "can do" culture
the Council's work will be publicly accountable and presented with openness and transparency
the Council's decisions will be guided throughout by compassion for those people in need

The Working Experience

With some 1100 employees, working for Guildford Borough Council is as varied an experience as the range of services that we provide, from the dynamic Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex through to the more traditional yet highly progressive functions at our headquarters in the centre of Guildford.

A recent independent IDeA review reported that Guildford has a "committed and motivated workforce seeking to improve services" and that "the Council is highly regarded by the residents of the Borough". A recent CPA assessment by the Audit Commission gave the Council an "excellent" rating.

Wherever you are, the atmosphere is always one of positivity and friendliness, whilst our new Chief Executive is promoting and encouraging a genuine ideas-led, consultative, fast-moving culture. We provide strong support networks for our staff, and go a long way to ensure that we learn from everything that we try that is new, rather than adopting a blame culture if things do not work out.

We understand and are motivated by public accountability, and work hard to be able to justify the decisions and actions that we take; an ethos of trust, integrity and efficiency pervades.

We provide good training opportunities and are pioneers of flexible working, offering nine-day fortnights and regular home working opportunities as part of a pilot scheme, and an established flexi-time arrangement.

What next?

For more information on Guildford and the local area, visit www.guildford.org.uk and www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk. To learn more about the Council and what we do, click on our home page. And for a review of the jobs we currently have available, see our list of current vacancies.

If you think you can contribute to our lively and widely admired service provision, please apply to us. We hope we'll hear from you!

Accountability Counts

Core Values Guiding Service Delivery

The Working Experience

What Next ?