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

First World War Commemorations

Today (4 August 2014) marks one hundred years to the day that Britain declared war on Germany. This historical day is being commemorated across the country with services and appropriate events.

In Wiltshire we recognised the significance of the start of the First World War. We are a county that embraces and takes pride in our military history and connections. It was for that reason that we decided to work with our military partners and local communities to host an appropriate event to commemorate those who died protecting our country and freedom. 

Last Wednesday - 30 July - we had a county-wide day for remembrance and it was a special occasion. Hundreds of people came together at Tidworth Military Cemetery to pay tribute and to honour the 10,000 brave men and boys from Wiltshire who fought for our country during the First World War (1914 – 1918). 

Young men like Private John Burbidge, from Worton, who was just 14 when he volunteered for the Wiltshire Regiment and was sent to France in November 1914. He was killed in action aged 18 and has no known grave.

Families such as the Potters, from Trowbridge, who lost three brothers to the war – Arthur died at Gallipoli aged 18, Robert died at Jutland in 1916 and John in 1917 in Greece. 

These young boys and men died so that future generations could have their freedom. It was, therefore, fitting that we remembered them. The highlight for the ceremony was a memorial wall featuring a cross that bore the name of each of the 10,000 Wiltshire soldiers lost to the war. Each cross was made by a school child across the county and saw them research a fallen soldier in their local village or town and write their own personal message of remembrance. The wall is a very unique, special and wonderful tribute and it will tour the county as a visual exhibition to raise awareness of those who sacrificed their lives in each of our community areas.

It’s important that the young realise the impact of this Great War and through their involvement they can understand and remember. One hundred years on we must continue to acknowledge and educate and remember. 

I don’t believe there was ever a more appropriate place for us to come together to reflect on those who gave their lives for us, other than Tidworth Military Cemetery. I was both proud and moved to take part in the most poignant service and to watch as a final cross for each community was placed on the impressive memorial wall marking the scale of sacrifice and dedication. 

Wiltshire has remembered and will continue to remember…

Back by Wilfred Gibson (1915)

They ask me where I've been,

And what I've done and seen.

But what can I reply

Who know it wasn't I,

But someone just like me,

Who went across the sea

And with my head and hands

Killed men in foreign lands...

Though I must bear the blame,

Because he bore my name.

What a month May is turning out to be

What a month May is turning out to be – like many other people I realised that cycling had become more popular following the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 and seeing the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Colbourne standing proud to receive their Gold medals. Their outstanding achievements appear to have inspired even the most couch cyclists amongst us. Cycling shops have boomed with new ones opening everywhere and there are many events focusing on organised cycle rides that are also growing in popularity.

 

This was evidenced at the start of this month when Salisbury and Wilton played host to hundreds of cyclists and cycling enthusiasts. In fact the weekend was enough to motivate even me to look for a new bike! I have to stress though that I wasn’t shopping for a  go-faster, 30 gear, road bike that you can lift with one finger - but a more sedate ladies’ bike with a basket for shopping and just three gears to allow me to cycle at a moderate pace and take the time to enjoy our beautiful Wiltshire countryside.

 

I know many of you participated in the Sportive rides and that the very fit amongst you tackled and achieved the 100 mile route and some sportingly took on the 20 miles.  It was a gloriously sunny bank holiday weekend – unlike the one we’ve just had! And judging from the many smiling faces and the great atmosphere you obviously enjoyed it as much as I did.

 

These types of events really do inspire communities and individuals to get involved and participate in something that has a tangible feel-good factor and creates a truly wonderful atmosphere. In my view our county is unique and very fortunate that it has so many people who give their time and energy to help make their local village, town or area a great place to live and be part of. We all like to belong and feel part of something; it gives us a sense of purpose and a satisfaction when you can make a contribution, participate, smile and enjoy what life has to offer – especially on a sunny warm weekend.

 

In my view we need more opportunities to encourage us to get involved, be more active and to be part of something that makes us feel good. You may recall that I pledged – as part of the Big Pledge – to help raise money to help to support Hope for Tomorrow; a Wiltshire based charity that provides mobile cancer therapy units in rural locations. These mobile cancer therapy units are exceptional and each one costs around £260,000. Currently, Wiltshire has one vehicle, but given the size of our county, two would provide additional access allowing more support for cancer sufferers across the county. Last week one of these vehicles was parked up outside County Hall as part of raising awareness of the charity and for me to make this pledge more public.

 

Already the response to this cause has been fantastic and I have scheduled the first event; a quiz and curry night on 16 September – in the atrium. The newly formed council choir has promised to sing for us. Their first gathering to start rehearsals was today and I know they are keen to have as many of you involved as possible.  

 

It’s a harsh reality that almost all of us have either been affected, or know someone who has been affected by cancer – the more active we can be and the more we can participate in positive events and gatherings the better we feel. Don’t underestimate the power of your personal wellbeing and don’t take it for granted; you matter and taking some time to keep active, or be involved in something that improves how we feel goes a long way to keeping us fit and healthy.

 

Now, I’m going to start pedalling and join those of you who have taken to your bikes and are reaping the benefits – that’s not to say that I won’t stop at the odd pub or café on my route! 

Jane                                                               

At last the Easter break...

I don’t know about you but the weeks just seem to fly by and I can’t believe we are almost into May!

 

My apologies for not writing before now, but between council commitments and being chief midwife for my heavily pregnant ewes, I’ve had little space to take a pause and put pen to blog.

 

Spring is always a positive time in the annual calendar – it’s a time to embrace new challenges, to spring clean and to look forward to warmer, sunnier and longer days ahead. It’s also a time to make pledges and to do something that makes a difference either to yourself or others. I know lots of you have already made a Big Pledge, along with hundreds of other people in communities across Wiltshire, to get more active, lose weight, run a marathon, raise money for charity and to give your time to help others. These are just a few of the great things that people have committed to do. It's always good to have a prompt to do more and to be motivated to take up a challenge. It is always inspiring to see the targets set and sacrifices and time that people are prepared to make for the good of others.

 

This got me thinking…. I should also do something that will make a difference and hopefully motivate and inspire people to get involved. I have therefore decided to have a leaders charity, and will be supporting Hope for Tomorrow, which provides mobile cancer therapy units that can travel to rural locations. This means that people suffering from cancer can avoid the long and often painful trip for regular cancer treatment at their nearest hospital. One of the Hope for Tomorrow cancer therapy units was at County Hall recently – for the launch of the health and Wellbeing Strategy – and it inspired me to want to do more so that other units can be purchased to support those in need across Wiltshire.

 

My first fundraising event will be a quiz and curry night, which I am aiming to host in the atrium in June – so watch this space for the date and details as I hope many of you will take part! I am also delighted that one of our corporate pledges is to start a choir and I am hoping this will be up and running in time for the launch of my leaders charity and for the quiz evening – a bit of live music always lifts the spirits. Another pledge – by several of you, but I hasten to add, definitely not me – is to take part in the rides as part of the Cycle Wiltshire event on Saturday, 3 May. Staff and other keen cyclists will be cycling 20, 60 or 100 miles around the beautiful countryside in the Salisbury area, and I will look forward to welcoming them all back at the Five Rivers Leisure Centre for a well-earned lunch. If you haven’t signed up and would like to cycle one of these distances, it’s not too late as you can sign up right up to the day.

 

And, finally, I know I need to challenge myself more, and I have decided to take up the Wiltshire Challenge, which has just launched, and try to walk a lot more and clock the 10,000 steps each day. I promise to try and not lose the pedometer in the washing machine as I did last year and will keep you updated of my progress!

 

Whatever you decide to do this spring - I’m sure it will make a difference and if you haven’t decided a pledge - maybe the pledges made by others will provide you with some inspiration.

 

I’m lambing all this Easter weekend, and will be thinking of all of you having a well-earned break and my thoughts will also be with those of you on call providing the essential services needed by our communities. Thank you for all you do.

 

More soon, I promise – or, should I say, I pledge!

 

Jane.

 

PS I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the staff forums in May!

Building on success

Isn’t it great when a plan comes together and the outcome makes a positive and tangible difference? Last night the seed of an idea that started almost a year ago, saw 220 business representatives raise £30,000 when they came together to help support the next generation of Wiltshire sports stars at our first Business and Sporting Gala Dinner.

We had always intended to build on the success of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the impact that special year had on our county and our local communities. It was the year we shared in the journey of our Wiltshire athletes and felt such pride when they won their gold, silver and bronze medals. We couldn’t help but be inspired by their immense dedication and outstanding achievement.

We also recognised that this year had a huge impact on the local economy when more than half the population of Wiltshire took part in local events. We knew we had to continue to boost the local economy and support local businesses and we have done this by hosting a range of networking events to encourage and support new connections and opportunities. But last night was about connecting businesses with Wiltshire’s rising sports stars for mutual benefit and it was a new idea that we hadn’t previously tested.

Our future Olympians and Paralympians need support and even the smallest amount of funding can make a huge difference in supporting their journey to success. We wanted to host an event that would encourage new connections between businesses and rising sports stars and we wanted to raise funds to establish a foundation trust to support those athletes who will represent Wiltshire in national and international competitions in the future.

Whilst we have supported rising sports stars since 2011 through our Future Funding scheme, the amount we contribute is a modest £5,000 each year and although this has helped to support five athletes each year we knew that with the support of local businesses we could do so much more.
The benefits for a local business if they support a future Olympian or Paralympian are huge. I don’t just mean the publicity and raising awareness of their name and product – it’s also about their demonstrable commitment to the local community as well as the excitement of being associated with a rising sporting star and following their journey to success; you only have to look at the recent publicity that Walter Rose butchers in Devizes received as a result of their support for the British bob sleigh team to know that this formula works and is mutually beneficial.

And last night the first ever Wiltshire Business and Sports dinner was held and the businesses through their sponsorship, attendance and generosity made it a great night. This combined with Phil de Glanville (former England Rugby Team Captain) as the MC for the night and Mark Colbourne (Gold medal Paralympian Cyclist) – who I have to say is one of the most inspirational speakers that I have ever listened to – and the attendance of many aspiring and elite local athletes made it a night that I will personally remember for some time to come.

A good plan doesn’t just happen - it’s about believing in an idea, seizing the opportunity, being prepared to take a risk and connecting others to make it happen. And when it works and it delivers the outcomes you intended – it really does feel good!

Now on to the next idea….
Jane