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insidenewsChange begins with good ideasshare your ideas for meeting the challenges ahead

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Seminars for senior managers Howden Park Centre, Livingston - 5 to 8 May

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It is now clear to everyone that the economy is in meltdown. The worldwide financial crisis has ensured that national finances are in the worst state since the

end of the Second World War. The UK Government is over spending by £175 billion per year and modest predictions suggest that it will take at least 20 years for the national finances to come back into balance. Over that period there will be annual reductions in the funding of public expenditure – a far cry from the annual 3 – 5% real term increases we have experienced over the last decade. The impact on public expenditure is severe and changes are required to ensure we continue to provide a good service for the people of West Lothian. More than ever, we need to find new ways to innovate and these seminars are about discussing how we respond to this unprecedented challenge. However, in tackling the current economic plight, we must also remember

that funding is not the only challenge that we face. A growing elderly population and climate change are just some of the important issues that we face today and will continue to face well into the future.

The economic situation is what it is, and we must be proactive and look at ways to effectively manage and improve the services we offer during this turbulent period. Over recent years, we have achieved many accolades that highlight the ability of West Lothian Council to focus on clear aims and achieve hard to reach goals. I have always said that our number one resource is the people we have working for the council, and I am convinced that the

challenges ahead are significant but not impossible with a committed workforce prepared for the future. I firmly believe that this is the time to lead from the front and not look to others for the answers. We cannot be complacent and, most important of all, we need to shed our sense of pessimism and look at ways to ensure our dedicated staff members can move West Lothian Council forward for the benefit of our customers. To quote the man of the moment, President Barak Obama, “Don’t short change the future for fear of the present.” Indeed, unsettling as it is to hear about the current difficulties everyone is experiencing, it is important to remember that we, as a leading local authority in Scotland, are well prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. The seminars will give you a platform to share your good ideas with your colleagues, and provide you with an opportunity to focus on key outcomes and influence how we shape service delivery in the future. I look forward to working with you.

Alex Linkston - Chief Executive

For those of you who have worked with West Lothian Council for a number for years, you will be well aware that change is not a new

concept to us. In fact, change is the very mechanism that has enabled West Lothian Council to become Scotland’s leading local authority. Through periods of economic growth and decline, we have always looked at new ways to address the challenges that lie ahead and identify the

opportunities there are to improve the service we offer to our customers. The recent and future downturn in public spending is unlike anything encountered before, and these turbulent times have meant having to make some big decisions about our future. The Managers’ Seminars provide you with the opportunity to be involved. As a local authority, we are presented with new and challenging pressures that we must recognise and tackle effectively. Only with the support and commitment of our workforce can we fully capture opportunities to

improve service delivery. During these Managers’ Seminars, it is my aim to highlight the need for West Lothian Council to commit to a programme of modernisation, and provide you with an update on the programmes developed, which bring together a number of streams of modernisation activity. Of course, corporate programmes are not the complete answer. Innovation, leadership and teamwork are required to ensure that we all recognise that the solutions we create today help us to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Graham Hope - Director of Customer and Support Services

we must be proactive and

look at ways to effectively

manage and improve the

services we offer during this

turbulent period. ”

“

insidenews Change begins with good ideas - share yours

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Current economic circumstances have contributed to added pressures being placed upon existing provision for schools and nurseries.

However, West Lothian Council believes in a strong and successful school system,

which continually strives to achieve first class results for pupils. West Lothian has a growing 0 -15 age band population and the third highest growth rate in Scotland. This has a significant impact upon the need to continually provide a suitable education infrastructure for our young people.

These workshops will provide staff with the opportunity to think outside the box in terms of what can be done to reduce bureaucracy and improve productivity. We will always aim to ensure that, despite the challenges ahead, the council can continue to invest in West Lothian’s future generations.

Gordon Ford - Director of Education and Cultural Services

Developments such as the Civic Centre highlight the increased focus on partnership working and an integrated approach to working with other

agencies. By assessing and modernising the way we

work, we can continue to deliver first class services for the people of West Lothian. The demands being placed on the council are growing, as we are often the first port of call for those seeking advice. I believe that preparation is key to ensuring we identify the needs of our local employers and our working population.

By looking at the ways to work smarter and more effectively, we can ensure that the needs of our customers are met. The CHCP will work with partners to overcome the challenges and continue to make West Lothian an attractive place in which to live and work.

Jim Forrest - Director of the CHCP

insidenews Change begins with good ideas - share yours

Our services are key to delivering an improved quality of life for our communities. It is not just what we do to help people and business now,

but about providing a path for the future also. It is important to recognise that we continue to receive planning applications

for new supermarkets, and retailing in general continues to perform well despite the conditions. New developments, such as the upcoming Bathgate to Airdrie rail line and our continuing commitment to recycling will also present new and exciting opportunities for us in the years ahead. The current downturn is undoubtedly affecting businesses and employment in

West Lothian and we are facing up to the tough challenges and pressures that lie ahead. Unease surrounding the housing market and employment has obviously caused concern and our staff are often at the front line in helping to provide support and assistance to those who need it most.

Jim Dickson - Director of Development and Environmental Services

Alan is an experienced professional with particular expertise in assisting local authorities in their corporate planning and financing strategies. He will provide an economic update at each seminar. Alan is a regular speaker at CIPFA and other events and he has also developed and delivered in-house training programmes for a number of clients.

Alan George - Regional Director of SECTOR - the council’s Treasury Consultants

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Workshops

insidenews Change begins with good ideas - share yours

Improving productivity workshopn Mobile working n Lean managementn Sickness managementn Customer accessn Designing services around outcomes

The agenda for the seminars will be issued on the day, and will include workshops. Workshop groups will have a maximum of 15 members. A Head of Service, or other senior manager will facilitate discussion at each group, and a support officer will scribe key points. All participants will attend both the Improving Productivity and Reducing Bureaucracy workshops.

Have you read this document carefully?

Do you understand the aims of the Managers’ Seminars?

Do you have ideas on how to reduce bureaucracy?

Do you have ideas on how to improve productivity?

Do you have ideas on how to create savings in your service?

Are you prepared to brief your team on what has been discussed at the Managers’ Seminars?

Take time to check out the new Howden Park Centre. Pick up a leaflet and see what’s on offer or visit www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk

The general topics for each of the two sessions are – improving productivity and reducing bureaucracy. Participants are asked to think about these issues in their own environments prior to the seminars.

Participants will be allocated to one of ten groups. Each group will be allocated one of five topics (i.e. two groups per topic) and will be asked to consider the following themes.

Reducing bureaucracy workshopn Administration & supportn WLAMn Service initiatives n EDRMn Empowering staffEach group will be asked to come up with one major idea for reducing bureaucracy out with the scope of their topic.

Checklist

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