23 March, 2004

Residents are being invited to go behind the scenes at St Edmundsbury Borough Council on Tuesday 30 March as part of an open day at offices in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill to launch the new corporate management structure and to celebrate our 30^th anniversary.

This exciting open day provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to find out what we do at St Edmundsbury and why, through guided interactive tours of our offices. The tours will feature a number of displays put together by various departments based on the theme of ‘St Edmundsbury, Past, Present and Future’. St Edmundsbury Borough Council first came into existence in 1974, following a nationwide reorganisation of local government.

The new management structure for St Edmundsbury replaces the existing set-up of six departments and follows the change in the political management system, from committees to a Cabinet and Leader model, in 2002. The change sees the Council's departmental structure replaced by three directorates – Community, Resources, and Economy and Environment.

Some of the highlights include:

• get in touch with your local history ;
• find out how fit you are with our rowing machine challenge;
• find out more about our parks and play areas;
• see our robes and regalia;
• learn more about your entitlement to benefits;
• get to grips with artefacts from our museums;
• learn about recycling with our waste management displays;
• enjoy free entry on the day into WestStowCountryPark near Bury St Edmunds.

In addition, you may simply want to find out how the council works, how decisions are made, how we plan for the future and much more. Members of staff will also be on hand to talk about their displays and answer questions.

St Edmundsbury Chief Executive Deborah Cadman said:          

“Thirty years after it was established St Edmundsbury is going through some major changes, both in our management structure and in the way we work.  We wanted to show what goes on behind the scenes and help people to put a face to the voice they talk to on the phone, or name at the end of a letter.”

We will be opening our doors to members of the public at St Edmundsbury House at Western Way in Bury St Edmunds from 11am-1pm and then again from 3-5pm. Haverhill Offices in Lower Downs Slade in Haverhill and Borough Offices on Angel Hill in Bury will be open from 11am-1pm and in the afternoon from 3-7pm. Tours from all offices will leave on the hour.

ENDS