A packed agenda for today's leadership team meeting

Today is the first corporate leadership team meeting of the summer with lots on our agenda. The three corporate directors will meet together first for a catch up and to discuss a number of issues. We will then be joined by colleagues to review and agree the corporate work programme for the next year or so before moving on to discuss the status of the Corsham campus, the programme to open the facility in the summer and any other associated service issues we need to agree to ensure a smooth transition to the new community working model. This will be an exciting new way of working in the county with lots of learning to inform subsequent campuses as they are designed, built and opened.

We will then join cabinet members where we will review our adult care personalisation performance and future plans, future area board development proposals, our current leisure contract and future development options and also funding for one of our voluntary sector partners. We will also discuss with cabinet operational issues from last week and the week to come to ensure we’re on top of any issues emerging across the county. So a mix of vision, strategy, operations and tactics – the four ingredients to running any business enterprise.

This afternoon we move on to discussing a number of key people policy changes: standby call out; drugs and alcohol testing; management savings; job family approach; and members travel. All of these will need to be delivered in the coming year to ensure we are managing effectively and efficiently.
 
Speak again soon. 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.

Carlton

Budget Day

It’s budget day today and as I get quite excited by such things I thought I’d share the highlights with you. Some good news surprises (additional money for flood defences and pot holes which will put a smile on the faces of my highways teams) and some confirmation on the continued squeeze we face in local government. This confirms my view that our transformation programme focused on how we deliver services differently across the county is a continued priority for us.  

Here are some immediate thoughts from the Chancellor's speech regarding possible impact for Wiltshire.

• Office of Budget Responsibility forecast for growth up from 2.4% to 2.7% in 2014-15, with similar rises in later years - so greater taxation than was forecast (+ £16bn assumed). Assumed higher employment and lower national debt as a result, with no structural deficit forecast in 2018-19 if we stick to current plans (i.e. no borrowing that year forecast to fund national public sector spend).

• New £1 coin to be introduced in 3 years - will mean we need to plan for in terms of cash machines, etc.

• Entering a critical phase of recovery and will not let public spending increase, despite an election "austerity grinds on..." There will thus be cuts after 2015, with a new charter for budget responsibility this Autumn.

• Public Service Pension reforms continue - no new news. But taxation of pension changes, e.g. doubling of Pension Lump Sum tax free sum.

• Pay constraints in public sector continuing - no specific % figure mentioned but maybe in details published later.

• Cap on Welfare spending 2015-16 published today £119bn and will rise with inflation to £127bn by 2018-19.

• 15% Stamp duty changes to +£500k where owned by companies but bought for houses.

• LIBOR fines will continue to be directed to MoD casualties and extended to rescue services (e.g. lifeboat service) and others such as the Scouts, St John's Ambulance, etc.

• VAT fuel removed for emergency vehicles - potential advantage for Police.

• Magna Carta 800 year anniversary grant awarded to the Trust.

• £0.5bn available for small house building firms. Help to buy equity loan scheme to be extended to 2020.

• This Autumn will set out more detail on capital spend for next 10 years.

• £140m more available for damaged flood defences. We will have to establish what is coming to Wiltshire and if this is actually on top of last week's announcement or merely confirmation.

• £200m for LA to bid to for potholes - we will watch scheme requirements and ensure we bid.

• 20% tax relief for regional theatre.

• Carbon Reduction Tax capped at £18 from 2018.

• Fuel duty tax frozen for September 2014 confirmed as not going ahead. Will mean apart from commercial value changes in price at pump no other increase in assumed rise in our fuel prices needed.

• Whiskey and cider duty frozen, beer cut by 1p a pint. No direct impact on Wiltshire Council, more to make me smile and keep me going.

• Income Tax free level raised to £10,500. Higher rate level to rise slightly to £41,865

Speak again soon. 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.

Carlton

I love the buzz of an election

Lighter evenings, warmer temperatures and no real rain this week. Feels like spring thank goodness. Might get my bike out at the weekend.

Yesterday we held the first by election for Wiltshire Council since the all out elections in May 2013. This was in the Ethandune division –  the rural surround to Westbury. As you’ll know, I love the buzz of an election and it was a good event. We held the count last night after the polls closed at 10pm in the Heywood / Hawkeridge Village Hall. Five candidates attended with their agents and supporters. Turnout was good for a by election, at just over 37% which I was surprised with. The Conservative candidate won – Jerry Wickham with a majority of just over 100. I’d like to thank the whole election team and those who volunteered to count – another great job by a superb team.

On Wednesday we met with all the Heads of service to talk about a number of subjects including the importance of coaching in the work place. Did you know we have nearly 50 qualified/ trainee coaches in the council and more than 150 people so far have been or are being coached. This is excellent. I would never be without a coach, so if you think you could benefit with working with somebody to help you achieve your goals – work or personal, then please contact Amanda Collyer in HR. Or me. 

Speak again soon. 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.

Carlton