I’ve been in post as Cabinet member for Finance & Central Services on Brighton & Hove City Council just over a week. In that time I’ve had to absorb a huge amount of information from the range of areas my portfolio covers and meet some of the officers responsible.
Last Thursday I met most of my heads of departments to introduce myself and set out my key priorities for the portfolio.
I have three top priorities for Finance & Central Services:
- Openness & Participation
I want to push the council to be as open as possible in everything it does, and significantly improve citizen participation in our decision-making. - Excellent Customer Service
Expectations for customer service are, rightly, higher than ever. I believe the council can rise to the challenge and give our service users excellent customer service. In doing so we won’t just deliver great service, will improve people’s faith in the council. - The Budget
We need to meet the challenge of the central government funding cuts being imposed on us, whilst staying true to the Green Party’s ambitions and principles. No easy task.
In terms of things I’ll be doing to deliver those principles, the local manifesto is my starting point. This actually surprises some people, but yes party members democratically approved the manifesto and we plan to work to it!
There are already loads of great ideas bouncing around the council offices, and I’ve got plenty of things I’d like to see put in place. We’re going to get stuck in, and I look forward to keeping you updated here on my blog.
Jason Kitcat 
One reply on “My priorities for finance & central services”
I’m glad to hear that someone who has such strong views on openness will be leading on central services. We (my local party) also are strongly behind improving customer service at the council, so I’m glad to hear you’ll be working on that too.
The budget will be difficult, but I look forward to seeing you progress with tackling it.
Best of luck!