A year of delivery and some real successes

 Well it’s almost the end of the year and I know I always say this but where on earth has the time gone? It really has been another whirlwind of a year – both for me and the council and I’m sure for all of you…

It’s been a year of delivery and we have some real successes and positive achievements under our belt.

Where do I start?

Following the extreme weather at the beginning of the year we have worked with local communities to alleviate, as much as possible, the risk of future flooding – fingers crossed that we don’t see a repeat of the level of rainfall this winter – although at least we’re better prepared.

Mid-year we opened the first phase of our first of eight community campuses in Corsham, which has been an outstanding success; we’ve received millions of pounds from the government’s growth deal to deliver projects that will boost businesses and the economy across Wiltshire including investments into Chippenham and Porton.

And, we’ve been working hard to promote and encourage people - young and old -

to live healthier and more active lives. It’s well known that the more active we are the better we feel and the less reliant we become on health and social care services.

Working with our health partners we set out how we plan to integrate our social care services with health to deliver better services for our growing older population and reduce costs. We published how we will integrate these services in a Better Care Plan, which is one of five fast-tracked by the government.

Keeping Wiltshire healthy, active and more resilient has always been our key aim and this year our local communities again pulled out the stops embracing events and activities; from welcoming the Tour of Britain elite cyclists, to poignantly reflecting on the huge loss of life and sacrifice made by Wiltshire soldiers during the First World War one hundred years ago.

I could highlight many many more achievements, projects and work that we’ve done to protect our most vulnerable adults and children and to boost the local economy. Those of you who attended the staff forums - and it was great to see you - will know that we highlighted a lot more achievements and we played a short video as a testament to your hard work.

If you didn’t see it – here it is - and it’s well worth viewing as it really does showcase the vast range of services we have delivered over the last six months.

This year – similar to previous years - we have also had to manage some real challenges and there’s no doubt that we will continue to face more over the next few years; particularly in light of the Chancellor’s message, made in his autumn statement, that clearly stated the recession and cuts will continue for some years to come.

At the staff forums you wanted us to update you on ‘how it really is’ without dressing anything up - and we did!

Next year our funding from central government will continue to decrease and this, combined with service demand and inflation costs, means we need to find £29 million. This will mean some tough decisions will need to be made but we will continue to take a creative and innovative approach to how we do things.

2015 promises to be another busy year. Planning for the relocation of 4,000 more Armed Forces personnel and their families to Salisbury Plain will continue; the first planning application is already in and we recognise that this rebasing will have a big impact on the infrastructure and services that will be needed. Wiltshire is a military county and by 2020 we will have the largest settlement of Armed Forces in the country – making us unique. This is a great opportunity and will see a huge boost to the local economy.

Our campus programme will gather pace next year and seven more will be up and running by 2017. The work with partners and communities to deliver these cannot be underestimated and the offer of services, activities and events will make a huge difference to how we work with local communities and will ensure the sustainability of these services into the future.

And, not forgetting that there’s also the small matter of a general election next year and no doubt, whatever the outcome, it will impact on what we do. 

Finally, I just want to thank you all for everything you’ve delivered this year, it really is appreciated. As you know, I’ve already announced that Christmas Eve will be a day’s holiday and I hope as many of you as possible are able to enjoy this day and have a well-earned break and some quality family time. For those of you providing cover for the essential front line services, I would like to say thank you and please enjoy your break when you do have time off.

I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends and recharging my batteries ready for 2015!

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Jane

Don’t you just love this time of year?

 I don’t know about you but I always think that there’s something quite magical about this time of year. It’s that time when we are persuaded to enter a world that is full of harmony, excitement and good times - and why not? Surely it’s ok to succumb to the mass of adverts and pressures that we receive from the media and businesses – you know the ones I mean – those that seduce us into believing that the more we spend our hard earned cash or savings, and the more we eat and drink, the happier our festive holidays will be. And, I have to say to a certain extent I do get drawn in and I do enjoy the festive season and the atmosphere it creates.

But for me, this time of the year is about community spirit. At this time of the year, more than other times, it would appear that people are in a better place and mood. You only have to see the number of people who turn out to see the Christmas lights switched on in their local town or city and to see the numbers that attend local fairs and events to know that it is a time in the year that people want to enjoy and embrace.

This feel good factor also extends into the workplace and I really enjoy seeing you all at the December staff forums and taking some time to reflect on what we have delivered and achieved and to have that precious space to discuss what’s ahead and our key priorities. It’s always good to hear how things are for all of you and I welcome your questions and comments as it helps me and the corporate directors to understand how you view the organisation.

It’s useful to have feedback and the staff forums and the recent staff survey will provide valuable insight into where we can improve and enhance our workplace and workforce for the future.

I am also delighted that I will see some of you at the Hope for Tomorrow curry and quiz night on Wednesday 3 December. The evening, which will raise funds to support another mobile chemotherapy vehicle, has sold out! More than 250 of you have bought tickets and will take part in what promises to be a fun event and I can’t wait to see who will win and how much money we can raise for this worthy charity that supports those with cancer living in rural areas that need chemotherapy. These vehicles mean the treatment needed can be accessed closer to home helping them when they are so poorly. A huge thank you for your support – it is very much appreciated and I am so looking forward to it.

At this time of the year I would encourage you all to embrace and enjoy what’s on offer in your local community, town, city and workplace. Don’t forget we will be hosting the Christmas Carol service in the atrium on Monday 8 December at 1pm, and the Wealth of Wiltshire Christmas Fayre will take place on Thursday 11 December, which this year promises to be even bigger with more traders and choirs and entertainment – and…most importantly don’t forget that the 11 December is also National Christmas Jumper Day and all of you brave enough to wear one will help to raise money for Save the Children. Now, if you’re not in the festive spirit by now, maybe a festive sweater for a good cause will get you there!

Mine’s ready…..!

Time for a little bit of reflection

I can’t believe we’re into October already – just where has this year gone?

I often wonder if it’s a good thing when time passes so quickly. It’s usually is a sign of a busy, active life with lots happening and that’s certainly been the case in the context of council life and business throughout this year.

I fully appreciate that we’ve always been a forward thinking and ambitious council and this drives us to do more and to do better. It’s always good to reflect and right now we are planning the staff forums that are scheduled for early December – which is only weeks away! These forums are always a great opportunity to look back and realise just what we have delivered and achieved, as well as the opportunity to look ahead and to discuss the future and where we are heading.

I have to say the list of achievements in the past six months is overwhelming. All services have focused on positive change and delivery and we are making a huge difference. We are encouraging and supporting our local communities to really get involved and to work with us to shape and deliver the services that are right for them and reflect their local needs. From the roll out of the activities for young people to the campus delivery programme – there is no doubt that our communities are getting more involved. And, the recent response to our green waste collection – the highest response ion a survey ever – shows the interest people have in the services they receive and we provide.

Getting communities involved and for them to take responsibility for what they need takes time, encouragement and support. It’s also about creativity and inspiring people to see the future and what they can achieve. Corsham Campus opened its first phase this summer and if you haven’t visited yet, it’s well worth a look, as it’s an accolade to the people from that community who have delivered a campus that provides what the Corsham area needs – a mix of key services and community space – in a bright, welcoming and modern environment. Even though it’s not fully open – that will be next year – the response to the first phase has been nothing but positive seeing a huge rise is visitors and users of the new library, café and community rooms.

The campus programme is big and will transform many local areas. This combined with the huge investment of money coming via the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) will see big changes in our county over the next few years. Major investment into roads to improve links and to key sites such as Chippenham Railway Station - £16 million pounds – and Porton Science Park will see our communities growing and thriving.

And as an eternal optimist and one of those half full people, I am of the view that the local economy is starting to pick up. This investment can only be great news for Wiltshire and it will give confidence to businesses and developers that not only is this a good place to invest, it’s also a good place to locate a business.

I think life will continue to move at a fast pace and whilst it can sometimes feel exhausting it’s also invigorating and exiting. I am really looking forward to seeing you all at the forums and I am also delighted to hear that the staff awards have been re launched in recognition of the excellent and outstanding work that you do.

And talking of recognition, as a thank you to staff for all your hard work and commitment to improving the quality of life for people in Wiltshire, I am pleased to announce that Christmas Eve will be a day’s holiday this year.

I want as many staff as possible to have a well-earned break, and I have announced this now to allow teams to look at the requirements over this period, as I fully appreciate that some of our vital front line services will continue to be provided during this period.

Jane

Making the right career choice?

 Can you still recall that time when you were waiting to find out your exam results and you were thinking about a future career path? From my memory – it was a little while ago – I recall it was a time of apprehension, mixed with stress and fear, along with that bit of excitement of what comes next in life. I do remember the joy at leaving school and the anticipation of starting college but I don’t recall for one minute having my future mapped out and knowing what I actually wanted to do, but I was aware that passing exams was seen as both important and a vital gateway to further education and employment. I can also recall that moment of disclosing my results to my mother – probably the most stressful bit - and waiting for her reaction… so have times changed?

Over the last two weeks, young people across Wiltshire received their results for both GCSE and A-Levels and I have to say I admired the bravery of those who opened those dreaded envelopes live on local radio stations and disclosed to listeners, including me, how they had done. They must have been fairly confident as to disclose that your results weren’t as good as you had anticipated would make breakfast listening somewhat less than upbeat.

Fortunately, this was not the case, for those who went “live” with their results. As it turned out their performance was outstanding and their joy was loud and clear for all to hear. Overall it would appear that Wiltshire’s young people have delivered excellent results reflecting how hard they worked and how good the quality of education is in our schools and colleges – huge congratulations to everyone.

But what’s next for these young people? Some will be looking to enter the job market or perhaps wish to develop their skills further and these days there are a number of options available to them. One thing that I am passionate about is supporting young people to further their careers and to get into the workplace. It’s not a good situation at any age to be out of work and to have no focus for the future. But the reality is some young people need a bit of extra support and advice and a helping hand to help them to get that focus and to find an opportunity that is right for them.

Local businesses and organisations need to see what young people can contribute and to seize on their energy, freshness and potential.  This week we launched a new ‘one stop shop’ website called Work Wiltshire, which is a site to help those who want to enter the job market, develop their skills and advance their careers, or to help those who could be facing the challenge of losing their job. It includes access to self-help information and, for those who are eligible, free support from an employment support worker through Project IMPRESS is also available.  Helping young people is vital and schemes such as Project IMPRESS, apprenticeships and work experience, which at last many local businesses have seen as a great way to employ young people – are helping to keep our local economic in a good place.

Opportunities to learn and develop skills and knowledge that can be used in the workplace are surely the key to having a vibrant and sustainable economy? I always enjoy hearing how some young people can thrive in an apprenticeship and grow to take on more senior roles. The recently opened community campus in Corsham will offer a number of apprenticeships, internships and work experience opportunities to help local people to develop skills and confidence and what’s needed to thrive in work, and I am delighted to have a new apprentice working in my office supporting the cabinet members. Young people are our future and we need them to ensure that we have a sustainable and vibrant local economy.

From the recent exam results it would appear we have some real talent – let’s capture and grow this for the benefit of all of us.

Having given this some thought – If I was to choose an apprenticeship now it would have to be music – as I longed to play guitar in a rock band – and I would question is it ever too late to learn? What would you choose?

For all of you still to have your annual break – enjoy… and, for those of you who have had your break I hope you enjoyed the bank holiday weekend, albeit a very wet Monday! For those of you who were on call and delivering our vital front line services - a huge thank you.

Jane