It feels like we are all waiting with bated breath for next week's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announcements on public sector spending. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will stand up on Wednesday at 12.30 in Parliament and announce how he intends to address the country's financial deficit - the gap between what we currently spend each year and what the government currently receives from us all in taxes. It's a very big gap.
It's clear to me that we in local government face a large cut in our numerous grants from central government. I shan't guess a number today because it will almost certainly be wrong. What I would say is that the Chancellor ' s announcement will change fundamentally everything we do and how we do it.
I thought I'd share with you today the important questions that we are each going to have to ask as we assess each of our current services and decide how we deliver these in the future.
1. is the activity essential to meet Wiltshire Councils priorities?
2. does Wiltshire Council need to fund this activity?
3. does the activity provide substantial economic value?
4. can the activity be targeted to those most in need?
5. how can the activity be provided at a lower cost?
6. how can the activity to provided more effectively?
7. can the activity be provided by a non-state provider or citizens, wholly or in partnership?
8. can non-state providers be paid to carry out the activity according to the results they achieve?
9. can local voluntary or community bodies, as opposed to Wiltshire Council, provide the activity?
Have a think about these questions in relation to the service in which you work. Let me know what you're thinking.
Thanks for reading and talk again next week.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Thursday 7 October 2010
A shorter blog than last week as it's late Thursday evening, I'm running out of steam and I'm not around tomorrow.
Jane and Andrew have been holding meetings with managers and staff this week to explain the changes in the organisation that we all face over the next six months and beyond. I've been reflecting on the challenge ahead and I think I would describe it like this:
Our Challenge…
There has never been a more challenging time for us in the council. The challenges will become tougher still, but along with challenge comes opportunity. For those services and teams that are able and willing to adapt, it’s going to be an exciting time.
The world changes quickly and we have to change with it. Sometimes this means thinking about things in a different way. Looking for the opportunity in everything, even when it’s not obvious.
I think that’s one thing that distinguishes leaders from followers, and Wiltshire Council is a leader.
Talk again next week.
Carlton
Jane and Andrew have been holding meetings with managers and staff this week to explain the changes in the organisation that we all face over the next six months and beyond. I've been reflecting on the challenge ahead and I think I would describe it like this:
Our Challenge…
There has never been a more challenging time for us in the council. The challenges will become tougher still, but along with challenge comes opportunity. For those services and teams that are able and willing to adapt, it’s going to be an exciting time.
The world changes quickly and we have to change with it. Sometimes this means thinking about things in a different way. Looking for the opportunity in everything, even when it’s not obvious.
I think that’s one thing that distinguishes leaders from followers, and Wiltshire Council is a leader.
Talk again next week.
Carlton
Friday, 1 October 2010
Friday 1 October 2010
I attended the inaugural staff awards in Salisbury on Monday night. The City Hall looked great and the main hall looked just like the Oscars - some very impressive organisation by the comms team and the City Hall staff. The awards were brilliant, every nominee, short listed entry and winner were inspirational in their commitment, energy and focus on our customers and communities. I felt quite humbled by the experience. It would be wrong of me to pick out any winners to mention, so well done to you all!
Yesterday we held the Audit Committee where the prime business was to approve the closure of the accounts for the first year of Wiltshire Council. This went smoothly, with only three major recommendation from our external auditors in terms of how we should improve our business. I was extremely pleased with this performance and must thank Matthew Tiller and Steve Memmott and their respective teams for this. Well done guys.
As you may know Deborah Farrow has decided to move on to a new career in the private sector. I want to thank Deborah for her outstanding leadership, tenacity, political management skill and knowledge of systems thinking which have had such a profound impact on the organisation in the three years that she has been with us. I knew we wouldn't keep her forever - good people always move on - so we shouldn't be surprised by this announcement.
In consultation with the Portfolio Holder for ICT, I don't plan to replace Deborah at service director level because of the need to reduce managers by around 240 posts across the organisation - 50 in DOR by March. I will be changing my structure, like all corporate directors from next April and will move the ICT and other responsibilities to another service director.
To ensure the focus and leadership required to deliver all that we have to in ICT, I am expanding Mark Stone's role to become programme director ICT, information management and work place transformation. There are clear synergies between these areas of work. These arrangements will be in place for up to 18 months to ensure continuity during a period of substantial change to the business.
Thanks for reading and speak again next week
Carlton
Yesterday we held the Audit Committee where the prime business was to approve the closure of the accounts for the first year of Wiltshire Council. This went smoothly, with only three major recommendation from our external auditors in terms of how we should improve our business. I was extremely pleased with this performance and must thank Matthew Tiller and Steve Memmott and their respective teams for this. Well done guys.
As you may know Deborah Farrow has decided to move on to a new career in the private sector. I want to thank Deborah for her outstanding leadership, tenacity, political management skill and knowledge of systems thinking which have had such a profound impact on the organisation in the three years that she has been with us. I knew we wouldn't keep her forever - good people always move on - so we shouldn't be surprised by this announcement.
In consultation with the Portfolio Holder for ICT, I don't plan to replace Deborah at service director level because of the need to reduce managers by around 240 posts across the organisation - 50 in DOR by March. I will be changing my structure, like all corporate directors from next April and will move the ICT and other responsibilities to another service director.
To ensure the focus and leadership required to deliver all that we have to in ICT, I am expanding Mark Stone's role to become programme director ICT, information management and work place transformation. There are clear synergies between these areas of work. These arrangements will be in place for up to 18 months to ensure continuity during a period of substantial change to the business.
Thanks for reading and speak again next week
Carlton
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