It's been a tough week this week. On Wednesday we made the announcements regarding which managers are at risk of redundancy. Over 550 across the organisation - about 90 in DOR. The service directors and I led five sessions on Wednesday, by service team to explain why we were restructuring, how we had approached it, and the impact on those managers affected. We then spent time explaining the support available for those affected over the next 12 weeks or so of the consultation process. This was difficult news to share as you can imagine but I was impressed by the professionalism and dignity which everybody showed throughout. I want to also thank the HR team for the volume and quality of the work that they have turned round over the last two months in preparation for this week. Unfortunately I have been through this process before in the private sector and our HR team is as good as any I've seen elsewhere. Well done.
The next few months are going to be difficult for all of us; we are all worried about the future and emotions are running high which is exactly what you would expect. To get through this we need to have open conversations about how we feel, what we fear and what support we need to get through this - from all sources. It is up to all of us in the team to provide that support on an ongoing basis.
Earlier this week I was in Salisbury to see how the move into Bourne Hill was going. It was very impressive to see the new building occupied at last. The new ICT kit looked great and early customer satisfaction data back from the movers shows levels of satisfaction with the new kit and how it works at well above 90%. I want to thank all of those involved in making this new building such a success; the Workplace Transformation Programme team, the ICT team and all those other unsung heroes involved in what is looking to be a high quality, professional job.
Just a reminder that we have our Team Day next Wednesday the 17th. If you haven't booked your place then please do so as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading and speak again next week.
Carlton
Friday, 12 November 2010
Friday, 5 November 2010
Friday 5 November
It's been a week or two since I last blogged as I was out for most of last week spending half term with my family. Lots of Scalextric!
It's been busy since the announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review funding reductions. I seem to have spent most of my time talking with senior colleagues about how we will approach the task and exploring alternative ways of achieving the reductions. I am missing spending time with the teams in the hubs as a result. Wiltshire doesn't know precisely what grant it will receive next year and won't know until mid December at the earliest so it still feels like we have too many unknowns. Having said that we are working on plans for a 12% reduction in service budgets next year as a likely scenario for the budget setting process. This will be tough to achieve as evidenced by the start of the formal management review process this week. You will have also seen further proposals that are being discussed with the unions. We can explore these together more fully at the Team Day later this month.
The DOR Team Day is set for November 17 and I just wanted to remind everybody to sign up for either the morning or afternoon session. The venue is Devizes this time as the Civic Hall in Trowbridge is closed for refurbishment. I hope to see as many of you there as can make it.
Finally there seems to be a rumour circulating amongst some staff that I am leaving the organisation. Wishful thinking on somebody's part I think, as I have no plans to leave. If I find the culprit...
Thanks for reading. Talk again next week.
Carlton
It's been busy since the announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review funding reductions. I seem to have spent most of my time talking with senior colleagues about how we will approach the task and exploring alternative ways of achieving the reductions. I am missing spending time with the teams in the hubs as a result. Wiltshire doesn't know precisely what grant it will receive next year and won't know until mid December at the earliest so it still feels like we have too many unknowns. Having said that we are working on plans for a 12% reduction in service budgets next year as a likely scenario for the budget setting process. This will be tough to achieve as evidenced by the start of the formal management review process this week. You will have also seen further proposals that are being discussed with the unions. We can explore these together more fully at the Team Day later this month.
The DOR Team Day is set for November 17 and I just wanted to remind everybody to sign up for either the morning or afternoon session. The venue is Devizes this time as the Civic Hall in Trowbridge is closed for refurbishment. I hope to see as many of you there as can make it.
Finally there seems to be a rumour circulating amongst some staff that I am leaving the organisation. Wishful thinking on somebody's part I think, as I have no plans to leave. If I find the culprit...
Thanks for reading. Talk again next week.
Carlton
Friday, 15 October 2010
Friday 15 October 2010
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.
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.
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
