Friday 17 September

Well I've almost but not quite forgotten my holidays. Just clinging on to the last memories. I spent all of Tuesday in Salisbury, firstly attending the Cabinet meeting at the City Hall and then we also held our Corporate Leadership Team meeting in the city. It was good to meet staff and spend some time with front line services, as well taking a quick look at Bourne Hill. The new offices open next month and I must admit I'm somewhat jealous that I won't be based their permanently.

At CLT we have been working hard on developing the detail in our new Business Plan. You'll remember that this is the plan which will balance our investment in services over the next four years with the projected reduction in income from the government to be announced next month. The leader and chief executive will be briefing the press on Monday with the details and these will be made available to staff earlier on Monday.

Today I attended the Organisation and Resources Scrutiny Select Committee. There were some robust discussions on our HR policies and I led a presentation on the detail of how we will deliver the £36 million we need to save from the procurement of goods and services over the next four years. Scrutiny is a vital part of our business I want to encourage officers to use this forum to develop and shape policy on its way to the formal Cabinet and council decision making body.

The procurement and commissioning programme is now underway. You will have seen details about this on the Electric Wire last week. Please can I encourage you to support the team in this important work for the council.


Thanks for reading and talk again next week.

Carlton