www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Members Update - 22nd February 2008
The Implementation Executive met on 13 February, once again in an informal status as the Statutory Orders had not yet been passed by Parliament. This is expected to take place by 26 February.
The pace is picking up now. A huge amount of activity is taking place defining options and determining what we intend to do by when. At the forefront of our minds is that we have around 270 working days before we become the new authority of Wiltshire Council. Transition to the new authority smoothly and with minimal impact for our customers is key.
Work has commenced to review the structure for the new authority and the goal is to have proposals prepared, ready for discussion by the Implementation executive, in April.
The decision of Wiltshire County Council’s Cabinet to appoint LogicaCMG as the partner to deliver the Business Management Programme (BMP) moves this key programme into the implementation phase. Full time staff will be seconded and appointed to this programme over the next few weeks. We are looking for dynamic and enthusiastic people who want to be at the heart of reshaping the way the new council operates. The BMP will impact on all areas of business from the way we manage our pay and expenses through to the way we procure goods and services. It will go live in April 2009 and is a key enabler for our future.
George Batten
Transition Programme Director
Boundary Review Update
The presentation by officers of the Boundary Committeeon 15 February was attended by approximately 60 councillors in the morning and 30 representatives of parish and town councils in the afternoon.Following this a copy of the presentation and the main points arising from it, have been circulated to members of the five councils andto all parish and town councils.
Details of the forthcoming boundary review can be found on the Towards One Council website
In expectation of the Structural Order, which creates the new unitary council, being made by the end of February the following revised time line has been agreed:-
- 17 March - Boundary Review Working Party to agree draft proposals for consultation with District, Parish and Town Councils
- (NB at this stage a copy of the draft proposals will be placed on the website and all county and district councillors notified)
- 19 March - Presentation of draft proposals to the Implementation Executive
- 3 April - Boundary Review Working Party to recommend final submission to the special meeting of the County Council on 18 April
If you have any queries or require any further information please contact John Quinton, Democratic Services, Wiltshire County Council 01225 713054 or email johnquinton@wiltshire.gov.uk
Monthly Members Seminars
The proposed programme of monthly Members seminars was presented to the Implementation Executive on 13 February. Wiltshire County Council’s Democratic Services department will be sending out details of the programme of seminars directly to you in due course.
Workstream news…
Resources Workstream
The Workstream Board met on 11 February to review service area options and progress.
Key decisions that have been taken include:
- the Wiltshire Council web site for April 09 will be a new site, to be developed by linking into content from current websites
- a new elections system will be implemented in the summer of 2008
Frontline Services Workstream (FLS)
The FLS workstream will now be extended to incorporate economic development, regeneration and tourism. The overall workstream project plan has been drafted to reflect key dates and priority areas. Project plans for each frontline service area are also being produced.
The current leisure centre working group has been expanded to incorporate the wider service areas that sit under culture. This will include all district council and county council cultural services such as leisure, museums and libraries. The working group is currently redrafting its terms of reference and widening its membership.
Business Management Programme (BMP)
BMP is a major change initiative that will transform the way in which the new unitary authority manages its HR, payroll, finance, procurement and reporting functions. The programme will also bring all transactional staff together as a Shared Service Team, in one location, by April 2009.
On 11 February Wiltshire County Council’s Cabinet approved LogicaCMG as the company they will use to help implement the BMP, with the aim of signing a contract with them by the end of February 2008.
Community Leadership and Governance (CL&G)
Jo Howes has been recruited to the post of Workstream Project Co-ordinator.
Richard Munro has been recruited to the post of Project Manager for the Delegation to Town and Parish Councils project. Planning is now underway for the Meet and Greet events that will be held in spring 2008 and the team is talking with all town and parish councils about opportunities for service delegation.
A project manager is to be recruited to oversee the implementation of Community Boards across the County.
Customer Focus
A meeting of the Board was held on February 1. Follow-up one to one meetings are now being held with Customer Focus Board members. The aim is to refine the approach to the project.
Contact Details
By Post
Programme Office
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By Email:
By Telephone
01225 713017
Notes:This is a communication from the Towards One Council Joint Implementation Team on behalf of Kennet District Council, North Wiltshire District Council, Salisbury District Council, West Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire County Council. Minutes of the Towards One Council Joint Implementation Team are available on the extranet or by contacting us at the Programme Office.
