Friday 31 May 2013

Hello everyone

I hope you all enjoyed the bank holiday weekend and wasn’t it so good to see some sunshine after all! As well as council business this week I’ve also been shearing sheep – it’s a busy time of year for farmers up and down the country.

Last week I mentioned that we had a visit from Guardian journalist Peter Hetherington. It was an interesting interview and I must admit I was shocked to see just how big the piece was in the paper. His article talks about our plans for the future as well as the benefits of becoming a unitary. I’ve been interviewed countless times over the years by reporters but it’s always interesting to read their take on things and our transformation plans have been well portrayed in this article.

The Councillor Induction Programme 2013 is drawing to a close and on Wednesday we had a really interesting session that focussed on the roles and responsibilities around public health. It included a film, case studies and details of who holds statutory responsibilities within the council. The session, which was very well attended, generated lots of lively discussion and interesting questions and ideas. Councillors were very interested to talk to members of the public health team and a number took the opportunity to have a health check, and I’m pleased to say that all had a clean bill of health!

While I’m on the subject of health I’ve signed up to the Wiltshire Challenge.   I’ve chosen to take part in the Walking Challenge which starts on June 1 – you can also choose the sports challenge and the swimming challenge if walking isn’t your cup of tea. I need to walk more than 224 000 steps by July 27 and I’ll be making sure I’ll always have my pedometer attached to make sure every step counts!

Today the Wiltshire Online team and I will meet representatives from BT to discuss the roll out of Superfast broadband. This is an incredibly important ongoing project for Wiltshire that will help to boost the local economy – as a rural county many companies depend on the internet to sell their products alongside running their businesses from shops on our high streets. It’s also important for people in our very rural communities, who use the internet and rely on a speedy connection, to keep in touch with people and access services. All of Wiltshire’s MPs have also been invited to the meeting so that they are up to date on the progress of the roll out.

On the subject of boosting the economy, it was great that Hitachi Capital started work on its  new £7 million HQ in Trowbridge yesterday. This will create a further 60 jobs at the site and is a real boost for the county's economy.  On a smaller but still vital scale, I hope some of you had the opportunity to visit the Wealth of Wiltshire market in the atrium yesterday, and purchased some local products including the delicious and popular cup cakes and homemade fudge. This market was the second one held in the atrium – following the successful Christmas fayre – providing an opportunity for small local suppliers to promote and sell their products. We made a commitment to continue to build on the success of last year and boost the local economy. These markets are proving extremely popular and more are planned throughout the year.

I’m going to start walking this weekend and clock up some of the steps towards my challenge target...update you on how I get on next week.

Jane

Friday 24 May 2013

Well this week started with one of the best Mondays as I had the honour of meeting both Prince Harry and Price William when they officially opened Tedworth House in Tidworth. Tedworth House is one of four recovery units set up by Help for Heroes for injured soldiers, helping with their recovery and rehabilitation following life changing events. The support and empathy the princes have for the charity’s work was clear to everyone attending and I was delighted to be there to join them. I have been fortunate enough to be involved in Tedworth house since its conception and I am so pleased that we have supported the plans and aspirations of Bryn and Emma Parry. We have seen this amazing grade 2 listed building transformed into the most remarkable sanctuary and centre for rehabilitation to help give our soldiers their lives back. This is a real achievement for all those involved. And, for the record, the princes were lovely!

On Tuesday we held the first meeting of the new cabinet and I was pleased that a lot of councillors attended including some newly elected members. We discussed a number of reports ranging from the new transport plan and government funding for various schemes across the county to the proposal from the three corporate directors to implement a voluntary redundancy programme. As you are probably aware we agreed to their proposal on the basis that this will avoid putting staff at risk. We have to find around £27 million of savings in this year's budget, and this programme will help to deliver around £4 million of those savings. Whilst I recognise this could be unsettling for some staff it allows people to decide for their future for themselves. It goes without saying that the corporate directors will assess applications and make a judgement based on the need to continue to provide vital front line services, particularly to those who are most vulnerable.
On Wednesday I was really pleased to welcome Peter Hetherington a journalist for the Guardian newspaper to Trowbridge. He was extremely keen to find out more about our transformation programme; how we are creating three main hubs, implementing flexible working, improving access to our services and our work with communities through the campus development and our area boards. He said he was impressed with County Hall and with the innovative way that we are approaching the financial challenges that we face. He also visited Corsham to see the campus development and find out more about how communities are influencing service delivery at local level. It's always good to get national interest and recognition for our forward-thinking approach.

Later in the day I also chaired the first meeting of the Public Services Board since the new council was elected. The meeting focused on future priorities and provided an opportunity to share a very early draft of our business plan for the next four years. Our plan is underpinned by partnership working and the realisation that in the current economic climate we have to do more with others; particularly our key partners. I can see more and more services, facilities and buildings will need to be shared if we are to meet the financial challenges ahead. It's great that in many ways we are already doing this and our work with the police is a good example, but we need to do more and all our partners who sit on the board agreed. 

Yesterday I chaired the Military Civilian Integration Partnership board meeting. As we look forward to troop numbers in the county increasing in the years ahead, the work of the partnership is more important than ever and this was a good opportunity for us to look ahead and make sure that the work we do ensures the best outcomes for all of our residents and our military personnel.

Today I’m at the Civic Centre in Trowbridge talking to councillors, as part of the induction programme, about our transformation programme, the work we have done over the last four years and looking at what’s to come in the next four.  Thank you to all of you who have helped to organise and run the councillor inductions sessions, I know how much these have been appreciated by councillors.

Finally, I am delighted to announce the full list of cabinet members and portfolio holders:

Cabinet Members	Title	Portfolio Holders
Jane Scott OBE	Leader of the Council with responsibility for Communications, Customer Care and Systems Thinking
John Thomson	Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Highways and Broadband	Philip Whitehead (highways contract)
Richard (Dick) Tonge	Cabinet member for Finance, Performance, Risk, Procurement and Welfare Reform
Laura Mayes	Cabinet member for Childrens’ Services	Richard Gamble (schools, skills and youth) Alan Macrae (safeguarding)
Keith Humphries	Cabinet member for Adult Care, Public Health & Protection and Housing	Jemima Milton (adult care and public health) Richard Clewer (housing)
Fleur de Rhe Philipe	Cabinet member for Economic Development, Skills and Strategic Transport
Toby Sturgis	Cabinet member for Planning (strategic and development management), Property, Waste and Strategic Housing	Linda Conley (waste) Fred Westmoreland (planning)
Stuart Wheeler	Cabinet member for Hubs, Heritage & Arts, Governance (including information management), Support Services (HR, legal, ICT, business services, democratic services)	Allison Bucknell (staffing equalities, customer care and systems thinking)
Jonathon Seed	Cabinet member for Campuses, Area Boards, Libraries, Leisure and Flooding	Chris Williams (area boards and libraries) Jerry Kunkler (leisure and sport)

I hope you enjoy your bank holiday weekend and we get some sunshine!
More next week,

Jane

Friday 17 May 2013

I was delighted to be re-appointed as the leader of Wiltshire Council this week and consider it a real privilege to lead our organisation and work with all of you for the next four years.  It will be four years of challenge and opportunity and one thing for sure is we will need to be innovative and forward thinking to ensure we can continue to provide critical front line services.

It’s also great to be writing my blog again and to have the opportunity to update on the key events and happenings in the county.

On Tuesday I announced my new cabinet and their areas of responsibility. John Thomson will continue as my deputy leader and Toby Sturgis, Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, Dick Tonge, Stuart Wheeler and Keith Humphries will be joined by two new members; former portfolio holder (children’s services) Laura Mayes and Jonathon Seed. You can find out more information on the responsibilities of cabinet members and their work on the Wire.

The new cabinet meets for the first time next week (Tuesday 21 May). We will discuss and make decisions on a number of items including the recommendation from the three corporate directors to implement a voluntary redundancy (VR) programme. Whilst I realise that this proposal may have caused some concern; particularly as it has hit the media this week, we have to find £27 million of savings this year. It was always planned to find £4 million by reducing the number of posts across the organisation.  The proposal for a VR programme will help to deliver the savings and avoid placing staff at risk of redundancy.  I will update more on the first cabinet meeting in my blog next week.

The new cabinet has also started work on producing a business plan that will set out our priorities and key actions for the next four years. One of our priorities will be how we continue to boost the local economy and keep Wiltshire buoyant. On Thursday I attended a meeting of the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).  The focus of the meeting was looking ahead at what’s really important in the local economy and the actions that need to be delivered. It’s vital that we make our local economy stronger and more resilient.

Today I attended a sub-group meeting of the LEP chaired by Sir Christopher Benson to discuss the South Wiltshire Life Sciences Cluster Consortium in Salisbury. As you are aware it is planned to deliver a £60 million science park at Porton, which will support the development of life science businesses in the region and create jobs for local people. We have made a bid for £10 million to central government to support this initiative and hope to have more news on this next week.

To help councillors in their new role as community leaders we have been running an excellent induction programme. The programme has included sessions on safeguarding, licensing, development, law and governance, and area boards. I have attended many of the sessions and was pleased to see how well attended they have been by both returning and new councillors. I would urge all councillors to sign up for the workshops running over the next two weeks.

As the cabinet member responsible for communications and reputation management, I attended a workshop yesterday aimed at helping councillors gain a better insight into communications, the use of social media channels, and as local community leaders the importance of managing your reputation. I know the feedback from the session was really positive and some councillors have requested further training on handling communications and managing the media. I will ensure these sessions are organised.

I know many councillors attended a service fair, hosted by the corporate directors in the atrium at County Hall. It was a great opportunity to meet the senior team and gain an understanding of the range of services we deliver.  I would like to thank everyone involved in making the fair so informative and lively. The public health team offered the opportunity to have a health check; testing cholesterol and blood pressure. I took the opportunity and thankfully, despite the full council meeting, my blood pressure proved quite healthy!

I am really looking forward to another four years of working with so many committed, hardworking and talented people. 

More next week

Jane

Friday 3 May 2013

By the time you’re reading this the polling stations will have closed and the votes will have been cast for who will represent Wiltshire Council as a unitary councillor as well as the local city, parish and town councillors.

The counts and election of candidates will take place this afternoon (3 May) and we will know the makeup of the council for the next four years. Whatever the outcome, I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you.  A huge, heartfelt and personal thank you for the most incredible, challenging and inspirational four years.

As a new unitary council we have achieved so much; delivering significant savings, investing in key services, transforming how we work and where we work from; and, delivering the most forward thinking and innovative nationally acclaimed projects and programmes of work.

The council is well placed for the future and whilst there is still a lot to do, and many challenges ahead, the past four years have shown me that nothing is insurmountable, and by working together and with others we can, and have, achieved so much.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all of you and have found my role as leader both a privilege and an inspiration. I hope you don’t mind me taking this opportunity to acknowledge the great work you do and to say thank you for your unerring enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to delivering services that have improved the quality of life for so many in Wiltshire.

Jane.

Friday 26 April 2013

This week started with a very difficult lambing and the vet needing to visit the farm. It was such a relief that both our ewe and her lamb survived and at the time of writing my blog the lamb, which is one of the largest and healthiest we have, is galloping around in the spring sunshine!

Despite another busy week of leafleting in readiness for next week’s election, council business carries on as usual and this week I’ve had meetings with our three corporate directors and many of our service directors to discuss ongoing work as well as new and exciting projects that will help us continue to transform our organisation and services. 

This week I had a meeting with June Osborne, the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral. It’s always a pleasure to see June and there was plenty for us to talk about particularly about plans for commemorating next year’s anniversary of the start of World War One. We have been putting together plans for commemorative events in the county and Salisbury Cathedral, as one of our most famous landmarks, will have a key role. In 2015 it will be the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta and the start of the journey to parliamentary democracy. The ‘Great Charter’ is recognised as a founding block for liberty and has influenced civilizisations across the globe. It was sealed by King John at Runnymede Meadow on 15th June 1215 and one of the remaining four copies is housed in Salisbury Cathedral.  I share June’s hope that the event we are planning will give young people another opportunity to engage with our history and with democracy and learn how citizenship was forged.  I think 2014 and 15 will be busy!

I’d like to congratulate Salisbury who won the Wiltshire Rugby 7s programme on Saturday at Bath’s Recreation Ground. They played fellow rugby stars Marlborough and were presented with their medals during half time of the Bath versus Leicester Tigers game. Keeping people fit and active is all part of creating a legacy for Wiltshire – a programme of events and activities which is keeping the enthusiasm and momentum from last year’s celebratory year alive.

It’s been a busy week in Salisbury with the Big Business event taking place. I understand from officers and colleagues who have been at the various sessions and talks that it has been a real success attracting many local businesses. With our support, working with the city council, we have helped to boost the local economy and provide an opportunity for local businesses to network and promote what they have to offer. Wednesday night’s keynote speech, delivered by the BBC Apprentice’s Karren Brady, was a sellout, a sign of a successful event. 

Yesterday I had one of my regular meetings with the Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus MacPherson. As you may know there has been a change in leadership in Swindon with Rod Bluh stepping down and David Raynard taking over from him. I know David well as he was the deputy leader and the lead member for children's services on the council. The meeting was a great chance to talk to David and Angus about plans to develop Wiltshire Council’s partnership work with the police and continue to keep our communities safe.

I hope some of you will be able to join me in the Atrium at County Hall this afternoon for the short tennis exhibition. I’ll be there to see this great space transformed into a tennis court where young people can showcase their sporting prowess. It would be great if you could come and cheer them on.

During the course of the last four years we have transformed the way we work and nothing proves this more visually than the way we have brought our services together into three main hubs. Opening these buildings up to our partners, like the police, and the public shows just how far we have come.   

Speaking as one of the nominated candidates, I would like to just take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped to organise and run the election next week. With the unitary and parish elections being held on the same day ours, Wiltshire will be one of the biggest of the 33 elections taking place across the country. Whatever your politics, I hope everyone who is eligible will vote next Thursday and have their say on the future leaders for our county.  

In the meantime, my fingers are crossed for a sunny and good weekend. 

Jane

Friday 19 April 2013

This week the focus has been on the local economy and getting more active!

The Action for Wiltshire programme board met on Tuesday and I was pleased to hear about how we are continuing to protect and promote our businesses and to find work for those who need jobs in these tough economic times. Our apprenticeship scheme, working with local businesses, is helping many young people gain the essential skills and experience they need to find a job. This scheme has so far seen 827 young people take on apprenticeship roles with 139 local employers. But, this is only part of the work of the board; through the Wiltshire Business Support Service 128 new businesses have been created in the county and this has created 172 new jobs. And, we are about to start marketing the Enterprise Network, which provides incubation units and resources – such as the recently launched site at Ludgershall - for new start-up businesses. These start up businesses provide opportunities for young people entering the workplace, for military leavers needing to find work and budding entrepreneurs. We also discussed Wiltshire Business Expo which will take place in Trowbridge in June and the high level of interest we have had from businesses. It looks as though we will need to find more space to accommodate everyone and meet the need. I am passionate that our county’s economy can thrive and that we retain and grow existing businesses as well as attract new investment. This week’s meeting reassured me that we have made significant progress towards making this a reality. 

Next week will be another important milestone for us in our work to combat the recession and help grow our economy with the Big Business event in Salisbury. Working with the city council we are delighted to be supporting this event that helps to promote local businesses in the south of the county. I’m looking forward to joining our Economy and Regeneration team in Salisbury to meet local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The event which takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will continue to promote and boost the local economy; building on the success of last year. It’s important that we continue to create a legacy and not lose the momentum of 2012.   Also, with the chance to hear from keynote speaker; BBC apprentice’s Karren Brady, there will be an opportunity for everyone one to learn something about how to succeed in business, with or without the help of Lord Sugar!   

As I mentioned this week the focus was on economy and on getting more active and healthy and on Wednesday I was delighted to welcome Lord Adebowale to County Hall. Victor Adebowale was one of the first ‘people’s peers’ and is the Chief Executive of Turning Point, a care organisation that provides services for vulnerable people. As you are aware the council now has responsibility for the provision of public health services in Wiltshire and Turning Point recently won the contract to provide an improved drug and alcohol service for adults in the county for the next three years. It was good to meet Victor and hear his thoughts about what’s needed in Wiltshire to help people with these addictions.

Delivering public health services is closely linked with creating a legacy that builds on the success of 2012; particularly encouraging people to adopt a more active lifestyle.  Our leisure team has been doing a huge amount of work to encourage all ages; but particularly young people to take up new activities and challenges.

Working with the Bath Rugby Foundation and the RFU, the team has delivered a really successful Wiltshire Rugby 7s project. The project was open to club or school male rugby players aged 15 years old and local tournaments were held in Warminster and Chippenham. The outcome if this is the county final, which will take place tomorrow at the Recreation Ground in Bath and the winning team will be presented with their medals during half time of the Aviva Premiership Game; Bath versus Leicester Tigers. I would like to wish the finalists, Salisbury and Marlborough, every success. 

Next week the focus on activity continues as the leisure team has arranged two key events. A number of young tennis players will be putting on a special indoor display in the Atrium of County Hall next Friday afternoon. I hope as many of you as possible will take the opportunity to see the Atrium transformed into a short tennis court so that this group of local and very talented children can enjoy the chance to compete in a unique location in front of a different audience. This event was inspired by local tennis protégé Joseph Milton, 8, who wrote a letter to me with his proposal for the “Ultimate Tennis Centre for Wiltshire.” Joe and his coach Ron Marshall came to see me earlier this year. His enthusiasm and dedication, even at such a young age, was inspirational and what better way to being to realise the aspiration and imagination of Jo than for the council to host a junior soft tennis demonstration in the Atrium at County Hall. This demonstration will also provide the council with the opportunity to showcase the Atrium and the versatility of this public space.

Last year we enjoyed the best of national and international sport and keeping the legacy alive in Wiltshire is vital. Going for Goals is a football programme that has been run for children in Tisbury in 2010 and 2012 and received an Inspire accolade in 2012. Building on its success and taking the London 2012 lead of inspiring a generation, the programme has been rolled out across the county. Children aged between 11-12 years had the opportunity to learn new football and life skills. The tournament saw forty teams play at Pewsey and Tisbury and Durrington Sports Centres and Five Rivers Leisure Centre in Salisbury. The top two teams from each centre will take part in a grand final tournament at Chelsea FC training ground next Thursday.  I wish all the teams every success and I’m delighted that we can offer them the chance to compete in such an inspirational setting; even though it’s Chelsea FC!

This week ended on a really positive note when I met new members of staff who were taking part in their induction training.  It’s important to me to have an opportunity to meet new staff and hear their views about the organisation as they often have a fresh perspective on how we work.  I always come away from these sessions inspired by their ideas and comments. Despite the challenges we face, I believe this is a great time to be in local government, particularly Wiltshire Council as we have a huge and dynamic programme of work to transform how we deliver services and work with our local communities.

I hope you all enjoy the weekend; I will be lambing and leafleting!

Jane

Friday 12 April 2013

With the lambing season now in full swing and the sun making an appearance last weekend, it almost feels as though Spring might have finally arrived! The warmer weather is just in time as campaigning gets underway for the local elections in less than three weeks. The full list of candidates standing across Wiltshire’s 98 divisions has been published and can be found on the council’s website. Just four years on from becoming a unitary authority we have 308 candidates standing to represent their local communities; proving that democracy in Wiltshire is alive and well. It demonstrates that the work by councillors and staff to promote the elections and encourage candidates to stand has been a success; and, did you know - there are 6 uncontested seats in this election which is extremely unusual – well done to those candidates who are already elected!

I am delighted that our councillor development group has worked with officers to prepare information packs to help nominated candidates find out more about the council and what to expect as a unitary councillor. The packs which go out next week include a programme of training and events for the first few weeks in office so that newly elected members will know what to expect when they take on the role to make a difference in their local community. 

The election – one of the biggest in the country – includes 360 stations, 850 polling staff and 450 count staff and it is the biggest event the council will deliver this year. Counting will take place on Friday 3 May and I am sure many of you will be involved.

In the meantime, there is a lot happening. Plans are well underway for the Big Business event in Salisbury which will run from 23 to 25 April. We have agreed to work in partnership with Salisbury City Council to deliver this prestigious business event which promotes business to business and will help to boost the local economy.  Karren Brady from the BBC’s Apprentice is the keynote speaker. I have no doubt that Karren will be entertaining and thought provoking as she has a huge amount of experience leading impressive organisations and as the Managing Director of Birmingham City Football Club for over a decade and now as Vice Chair of West Ham Football Club. She’s known as the first lady of football – a woman after my own heart!  It’s vital we continue to give local businesses all the help we can. With the International Arts Festival starting at the end of May, and the redevelopment of the Market Place well underway, the next few months will be an exciting time for Salisbury.   

As a member of the Chippenham Area Board I was delighted to visit the Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre yesterday. Funding from the Board and from the Heritage Lottery Fund has been awarded to the Centre to ensure that the Sevington Victorian Schoolroom will stay open to educate young people through living history. The schoolroom continues to provide children with an opportunity to see for themselves what life was like in Victorian times – and hopefully realise how lucky they are living in 2013! Many who are now grown up will remember the wonderful experience of visiting Sevington and now future generations will too. The exhibition is also going to open on Sunday afternoons giving the whole community a chance to go along. 

The integration of public health into the council saw teams working together this week to provide advice on measles, following the outbreak in south Wales. You may have already seen the information on the intranet but if you are unsure of whether you or a member of your family has been vaccinated the team is advising you speak to your local GP practice to arrange a vaccination.

The news this week that Margaret Thatcher had died saw the end of an era. Despite the polarised views about her as the former Prime Minister, in my view she was a great inspiration and changed the perception of women in politics and what they can achieve.

I had an early start this morning as I was at County Hall to see the two bishops set off on their charity bike ride around the county to raise funds for Christian Aid. The Bishop of Swindon, the Rt Rev Lee Rayfield and the Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Rev Edward Condry, will be cycling around Wiltshire over two days to raise awareness of Christian Aid Week which runs from 12-18 May. The trip will cover 165 miles with about 6,000ft of climbing. I wish them good luck on their journey and I hope they raise lots of funding and that the sun shines on them!

I hope you all enjoy the weekend. More next week,

Jane