We’ve decided to publish a blog at the start of the working week focusing on what’s coming up and to highlight some of the updates and decision from our meeting with cabinet members and as a leadership team.
At this week’s meeting we discussed the forthcoming peer review and the statement we have prepared for the peer review team that sets out an overview of Wiltshire and the council including our plans, priorities and areas of focus. We also discussed the next cabinet meeting (6 November) and the items that will be discussed at this meeting, including a revised policy for the devolution of services and assets to town and parish councils. This is a vital policy that enables more to be devolved and delivered at local level. It has been drafted on the back of the recent success of the transfer of many assets and services to Salisbury City Council.
Mondays are always really busy. Following a morning with cabinet members, in the afternoon we meet with the wider team of directors. This meeting is time to discuss updates on key programmes of work, review any areas of new policy and update on progress on delivery of the business plan actions. Here’s a short clip of yesterday’s meeting.
This week we focused on a range of items including establishing a traded services model offering a range of services to schools across Wiltshire and neighbouring authorities. This is potentially big business for us generating income and supporting school’s to improve and attain even better results.
Yesterday was Full Council. Members received a progress update from the Chief Fire Officer from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service relating to the performance of the recently merged service and its focus on prevention and awareness, which is not dissimilar to our approach in some services; particularly those who are most vulnerable. We also heard some very powerful personal accounts from refugees who are now established Wiltshire residents. The welcome they received and the account of their lives since coming to the county was both moving and heart-warming and united everyone present in the chamber recognising that the council has played a huge role in helping many refugees to rebuild their lives and belong to a community that they now feel a part of.
If you’ve never seen full council, you can watch online, or we’ve attached a short clip to give you a flavour.
Other meetings this week include the SEND improvement board, the children’s services integration programme board, and the senior officers’ employment sub-committee to begin the process to implement the new senior management structure. This week, Terence has a number of key meetings with partner organisations. These include a meeting with governors and head teachers of Wiltshire’s Special Schools to consult on the future of delivery of education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This collaborative working with partners in schools will ensure the best outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children in our society. Terence is also meeting with Ofsted; this is one of a set of regular meetings which allows us to share information, concerns, and strengthens the relationship between the local authority and Ofsted.
Alistair, Carlton, Carolyn and Terence (Alison is on leave)
And finally…
Full Council started with members saying farewell to Carolyn Godfrey, whose last day is this Friday. Members from across the political sphere highlighted Carolyn’s incredible capacity for work and her commitment to improving outcomes from children, adults and families in Wiltshire. A special leaving ceremony to mark Carolyn’s retirement took place yesterday with many invited guests.
Carolyn will be missed by all of us, and I’m sure you will join us in wishing her all the very best for the future.
Alistair, Carlton, and Terence
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