The Council provides a wide range of specific services (Education, Planning, Social Work, Cleansing etc) but there are also a number of issues which require a corporate approach. These include such regular matters as Equalities, Best Value, Public Performance Reporting, the Citizen Panel and strategic issues like Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

Generally speaking the Chief Executive, as principal policy advisor to the Council, has responsibility for providing a corporate policy and strategic lead to the Council. Sometimes individual services are requested to take the lead on relevant issues. The Council’s Social Work Service is building a partnership with the local health board in response to the Government’s Joint Futures initiative for example.

The Corporate Policy Unit within the Chief Executive’s Department has the lead responsibility for several key policy areas; develops relevant strategies to handle significant policy issues and supports both senior elected members and the Council’s Corporate Management Team.