What a year 2011 has been. I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone and how much has happened. There is often little time for reflection when the pace is so fast, but I have taken some time to look back on what we have achieved this year.
We have done so much to be proud of and we have done this whilst we manage constant change.
We have managed our budget really well following the cuts in government grant funding and unlike many other local authorities we have minimised the impact on our front line services. It is your innovative and creative ideas and approach that has meant we can deliver our key services differently. Take our libraries as an example; we have managed to keep all of these open, and, in some cases for longer hours, as a result of recruiting local volunteers, we now have over 600 – which is outstanding!
We are also looking at how we will deliver other services in a new and more responsive way. Our youth service is an example where young people want to influence the services where they live and be able to access facilities for young people. Working with young people and volunteers we won’t be closing any youth centres.
Our huge programme to reduce and transform our buildings and offices has had an impact on many of you and I recognise that whilst this is unsettling the end result will be worth it. The programme delivers savings for our tax payers, and new, modern offices that will be better for our customers and all of us. The recent opening of family resource centres in Devizes and Trowbridge highlight how buildings can be adapted for multipurpose use and are a wonderful place to help those who are the most vulnerable.
It is difficult for me to talk about all the things we have achieved as there really have been so many. This year we have introduced the new and improved waste collection service; we have managed the bad weather and looked after the most vulnerable in our communities. We have changed our approach to working with communities and our campus programme has seen us hand over the reins to community groups to discuss and decide what services they need, where they need them, and how these can be best provided. The first three campus developments have recently been approved by my cabinet. These will be in Melksham, Salisbury and Corsham and work will get underway on these soon.
Our area boards are going from strength to strength and communities are doing more for themselves. Our grants are helping to make things happen and we have had some highlights this year including seeing Cricklade win the Champion of Champions for Britain in Bloom and seeing Wootton Bassett awarded Royal status in recognition of the local community commemorating the many soldiers repatriated through the town centre.
I realise that we often focus on the front line service areas and that our support services do not always receive the recognition for the outstanding work that they do and a lot of what we do is successful because we have built good relationships with many of our partners. I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of you for your hard work and commitment throughout this year.
Your contribution to making a real difference to all the people in our communities fills me with pride and I know that Wiltshire Council is a success because of you and the way we do things.
Next year will continue to be both challenging and exciting. We will continue to invest in our key services, protect the most vulnerable in our communities and make efficiencies of £36 million and 2012 will be a year of celebration and a very important year as Wiltshire will be in the worldwide spotlight and we can leave lasting and positive memories for all who live here.
The Olympic Torch relay and the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations provides us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to reinvigorate our local economy, showcase what makes Wiltshire so special and to reignite and grow our sense of real community spirit.
Next summer will see many events, activities and celebrations across the county and with your continued commitment, enthusiasm and support I know we can help to make 2012 a truly outstanding year.
I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year at the forthcoming staff forums. In the meantime, I wish you a very happy and peaceful seasonal break and a big thank you to all of you who will continue to provide the critical services for our communities during this festive break.
Jane
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