The Directorate Support Service supports the Customers and Communities Directorate to achieve its vision, which is to enhance quality of life through supporting healthier, safer and more vibrant communities.

It comprises four teams - the 2012 team, business support, policy and performance and the Service improvement team.

The 2012 team leads on engagement and planning for Surrey County Council’s involvement in the 2012 Games.

Business support provides essential back office support to colleagues across the whole of Customers & Communities, ensuring efficient delivery of our frontline services.

The Policy and Performance team monitor upcoming issues that may affect our directorate, provide policy briefings and guidance and support Public Value and other reviews. The team offers expertise in project management, consultation, marketing, and business improvement techniques.

The Service Improvement Team seeks to improve both the customer experience and efficiency of the services we deliver. Their work includes ensuring that actions arising from improvement programmes, Public Value Reviews (PVRs), and audits are correctly implemented.

Our priorities for 2012/13

There are some specific things we need to focus on in the next year to help us towards our goals for 2017. These reflect residents’ priorities, current challenges and areas where investment is needed now to realise future ambitions.

1. Deliver a safe and successful Olympic experience in Surrey, maximising the long term benefits for the county.
2. Complete the programme of Public Value Reviews for Customers and Communities, comprising reviews of Heritage, Registration, Surrey Arts and Adult & Community Learning.
3. Implement recommendations identified through Public Value Review programme.
4. Lead the Change Programme.
5. Deliver a coordinated income generation policy and achieve agreed income targets.
6. Improve understanding of our customer base.
7. Coordinate delivery of service planning and performance management framework.
8. Provide a high quality support service to our customers.
9. Develop mechanisms to obtain feedback from internal customers on areas of good service provided and areas for improvement.