Friday 24 May 2013

It’s been a great week this. A day in every hub – two days in Chippenham and I’ve been able to meet and speak with a lot of staff, elected members and partners (mainly the Police and Police and Crime Commissioner). It is always good to see and hear what is going on and to take the opportunity to learn what we need to improve.


This morning a number of my team presented the transformation programme to members as part of the induction programme. I know that I’m involved in this, but it is easy to forget just how innovative, ambitious, brave and risky this is. It was very well received with some members commenting that it is truly ground breaking. As if to cement that comment, I’ve just finished a ‘phone call with Peter Hetherington from the Guardian who is writing an article about the programme and how it is driving economic growth in our county. It’s good to get national recognition for all the hard work by the team and all of our staff.

I am taking a few days furlough next week – going to the seaside in Somerset. So now you know that we’re in for rain and wind for a week. I can’t wait. I need to buy a guitar too... I want to learn to play. Better late than never!

For daily updates, discussion, personal opinion, comment or just to connect or keep in touch you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/drcarltonbrand.

Thanks for reading and talk again in a few days.

Carlton

Friday 10 May 2013

I can’t believe it’s a week since the election. The member induction programme is well underway; almost all of the 98 members have been sworn in and we have completed sessions with them on law and governance, and today in Monkton Park we are holding the first of two safeguarding days – extremely important as members become corporate parents to our looked after children. It’s been a good week because I’ve been able to visit all of the hubs and speak with lots of staff.


Tuesday next week sees the first full council for new members. This is where the leader, cabinet members and chairs & members of all the committees are announced or allocated. Keep a sharp eye out to find out who you will be working with. Carolyn, Maggie and I will be addressing full council at the start of their session to outline the challenges ahead for the organisation and the elected members. I’m looking forward to this.

My weight loss is progressing well – now nearer 4 stone off than 3 which is great. I’m missing cheese the most...

For daily updates, discussion, personal opinion, comment or just to connect or keep in touch you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/drcarltonbrand.

Thanks for reading and talk again in a few days.

Carlton

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Last week was election week in Wiltshire and we now have our 98 new members for the second unitary council. There are 27 new members amongst the intake which is good to see. I had the privilege of returning nearly 30 members as Returning Officer in Trowbridge on Friday. It was good to meet them and briefly hear their views and ambitions for the future.

I’d like to thank the hundreds of staff involved in ensuring the election process was well planned and delivered. It was great to see so many staff, ex-staff and members of our communities getting involved to make this a success. They worked incredibly hard, for long hours and by the time we finished around 7pm on Friday night, they were all pretty tired. A great job by the whole team.


This week the new member induction programme starts with a full day in the Civic Centre Trowbridge to swear in some new members. This session will also be repeated in Salisbury and Chippenham. We also have sessions on safeguarding, corporate parenting, governance and training for full council which is being held next week. A packed and exciting week ahead!


For daily updates, discussion, personal opinion, comment or just to connect or keep in touch you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/drcarltonbrand.


Thanks for reading and we’ll talk again in a week or so.

Carlton