Friday 30 June 2017

A time to reflect

So was the outcome of the recent general election a surprise to you? It was to me and I think the whole country is still reflecting on what happened.  

For the first time ever young people turned out in their droves to vote and have their say on the future of the country. Their awareness of the election was raised partly due to the use of social media to target messages directly so that they became engaged and motivated to take part and have their voice heard.

As a council we need to learn and consider how we use social media to communicate more with the young people in our communities.

Democracy is a truly wonderful thing and something we should never take for granted. I was pleased to see such a high turn out across the country and that more than 75% of Wiltshire voted demonstrating how seriously people take their right to vote. 

This country promotes freedom of speech and this freedom is a real strength in Wiltshire where communities and individuals are actively encouraged to have their say on matters that impact on them. This can be anything and recently included where houses will be built in future years, where business growth is needed, and what road improvements need to be prioritised. Young people are invited to say what activities they want and need and how these can be best provided. It’s about taking responsibility and making the place we live – our community - part of us and a place where we invest our time and energy and where we can belong.

I wonder though how often any of us pause to consider this freedom?

The local BBC has been broadcasting stories of the refugees that have resettled in Wiltshire after fleeing war zones, atrocities and horror that many of us would never encounter in our lifetime. These people and families had no freedom, no opportunities, and there only focus was survival.  And, many of them have survived, and are now thriving in local communities across the county. Wiltshire has embraced these people who sought solace and help and we have welcomed them wholeheartedly providing support, advice and the things they need to feel like they belong. Many are now in employment and the children have settled into schools and are growing up with the freedom that they deserve to express themselves. This integration demonstrates the unique qualities that makes Wiltshire one of the best counties in the country. We promote community, and we encourage people to come together and we know that diversity is what makes us stronger, more tolerant and in turn more interesting.

In today’s often unpredictable world we need to remember that everyone has something to offer and that together we can become stronger and more able to help each other.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go to the communities affected by the awful tragedies in Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, and also to the regiment that lost two of its Tidworth soldiers during a recent training exercise in Wales.

The Grenfell Tower fire incident is one of the most shocking in recent history and we have to do all that we can to try and prevent anything like this happening again in the future. In Wiltshire we don’t have buildings of that size but we have undertaken checks across the county to make sure buildings are safe.

Last week saw the longest day (21 June) and a peaceful and spirited solstice welcoming of the sunrise at Stonehenge and Avebury. These annual events, which are steeped in history, demonstrate how communities are built over decades of investment from the people who live there and who welcome the new, the different, and the opportunities for the future. This community spirit comes to the fore in the event of a tragedy as we have seen over the past few difficult weeks.

But, it’s also about these communities having the courage to focus on opportunities and changes ahead. We need to look to the future and how we can help to make communities strong so that they are ready and able to cope with whatever may happen. 

Our new plan for the next 10 years sets out how we will do this and I always like to hear what you think and welcome your feedback.

Jane

Monday 5 June 2017

Looking ahead and thoughts with those affected in London

Hello,

Firstly, I’d like to thank you for helping to make the 29 newly elected members so welcome in their first few weeks in the organisation. I have received lots of positive feedback and in particular my cabinet members and portfolio holders have told me how helpful you’ve been in supporting them in their new roles.

Since the local election we have hit the ground running and the new cabinet has spent time with the corporate directors and wider leadership team focussing on future plans and the direction of the council.

I always prefer to look forward rather than looking back, but sometimes it’s good to remember where you’ve come from in order to keep focused on where you’re heading.

The phrase “we’re on a journey” is often said by businesses and organisations in a period of transition, and whilst I’m not a fan of this phrase, I am a big fan of progress, improvement and moving forward.

To stay still is not an option – and why would we want to?

One of the things that drives me and reminds me of how far we’ve come is our offices – whether at County Hall, Monkton Park or Bourne Hill – we now work in an organisation and environment that is dynamic, progressive and forward-thinking.

We are streets ahead of many other public sector organisations and councils and increasingly I am asked to speak at many events and conferences about the journey we’ve taken and how we have got to where we are.

And what a journey it’s been!

As a trailblazer for local authority reform and progression, it’s sometimes easy to forget how far we’ve come, and that our organisation is only eight years old.

Our working practices – hot desking, mobile and flexible working, in modern open plan offices (or from any number of locations around the county or even further afield) have helped us to deliver millions of pounds of savings while delivering excellent public services.

These working practices are the envy of many - we are still streets ahead of many other authorities who are now coming to us for advice on how to embark upon their own transformation journey.

This week I will be speaking at the Society of Local Council Clerks in Stratford-upon-Avon on devolution from the Wiltshire perspective.

Whilst I’m more than happy to pass on our knowledge and experiences, I’m more interested in where we are heading.

I touched on our new draft business plan in my last blog, and my cabinet and I have done a lot of work to develop this with the leadership team.

Our vision and priorities remain a constant and key to everything we do. The new plan will focus on delivery of these priorities and the next stage of transformation for the organisation. We want to be more business-like and to digitise and commercialise where it’s possible and appropriate, so that we are more efficient, able to provide better services and can meet customer’s expectations. 

The plan will be a blueprint for not just the next four years, but for the next decade.

We need to get it right so that we can be an even stronger organisation able to deliver what the people of Wiltshire need – and deserve. The plan will be shared with you to invite comments and ideas and it will go to cabinet this month for further discussion and to agree the way forward.

The next few years will be both challenging and exciting and I’m looking forward to working with all of you. As a team, working together, we can grasp every opportunity, make decisions and deliver actions that will help to make Wiltshire an even better place. 

*Since writing my blog, the awful events have occurred in London and our heartfelt thoughts are with all those affected.

Jane