Joined up working

Hello everybody

Democracy in action

Let me start by acknowledging the huge success for democracy in the independence referendum in Scotland.  The clear result of 55% voting to remain in the UK was confirmed early this morning. But things will not stay the same; modernisation of constitutional arrangements within the United Kingdom is underway.

Scottish Parliament at night

Team Brighton & Hove

Back to Brighton & Hove, I want to go back almost a week and thank all those who worked on the day and in the run up to the Tour of Britain cycle race. It was a huge success as judged by spectators, organisers, and riders alike. Transport, Cityclean, security and the events team did a brilliant job. 

Jo Osborne, Ian Taylor and Hannah Simpson from our events team

Preston Park and VC Jubilee Cycling Clubs used the finishing straight for junior races in the morning

Bevendean Primary

Monday saw me visiting Bevendean Primary school with Pinaki Ghoshal, executive director Children's Services. The head, Wendy King, proudly showed us around this spacious, bright school where staff and pupils were hard at work. I liked the busy positive atmosphere and the evidence that the school's mission and values were being lived in practice.

Refuse and recycling

As you know, refuse and recycling driver chargehands in Cityclean are still in dispute with us, and this is inevitably affecting services to residents. Again I apologise and want to assure you that we are keen to keep listening and talking to find a resolution.

Planning for our future

Over the next weeks, you will be having discussions in your teams about the financial challenges we face as we plan for the future of the council, its role in the city, services for residents and the implications for staff. As I have said before, we have to change, to further cut costs and rise to the challenge facing all public services. We need to give councillors the best options and advice we can. And I am determined that we will do this by engaging with you all and behaving in accordance with our values. So please do join in discussions and please read the information we are sharing.

Soon you will also be expected to attend the staff roadshows which will build on this engagement and enable you talk with your director, celebrate achievements, and contribute to future change.

Partners working together 

This week I have been involved in local and national meetings about integration of Health and Social Care and the opportunity of both making better use of resources and preventing hospital admissions. This agenda is a huge priority here and across the country and I must pay tribute to staff and managers for the great work being done to rise to the challenge. Our council modernisation delivery board is taking a big interest in this and the other programmes of change helping us to change, save and improve - no small ambition. 

Also, this week an open session of the MASH (multi agency safeguarding hub) showed how we are redeveloping our approach to handling child protection concerns by bringing together police, social workers and health staff. I'm appreciative of all who have planned and developed this new approach and I hope it makes our safeguarding practice even better and more accessible

Beautiful Hove

And after a day in London I enjoyed the Hove sunset; how lucky we are to live here!

Hove seafront

Circus Street development

On Wednesday, the city's planning committee took a bold decision to approve the development of Circus Street. This is another example of our forward-looking approach to city development in partnership, and will enhance housing, culture and Brighton University. It is also another example of some fantastic work by planning officers. Well done.

LGC summit

Finally, I am spending the end of the week in a summit with other chief execs, the under-secretary for Communities and Local Government, and policy makers hosted by the Local Government Chronicle. So far there has been food for thought on innovation, austerity, devolution, child sexual exploitation and working and learning together. As ever the informal conversations have been especially valuable. I've taken away some practical ideas for action - on issues as diverse as business and fostering. And I've renewed friendships and made new connections.

LGC summit

I hope you enjoy another warm autumnal weekend. 

Good wishes.

Penny