Good news during a busy week

I start this blog with some trepidation because last week one of my local twitter followers took me to task for the use of jargon. What I did say in response is that this blog is primarily written for people who work for Brighton & Hove City Council. It's very gratifying that it's of interest to local people and other followers from across the country and even a few abroad. So, I will try to ensure that it’s equally understandable but forgive me if I slip into a little jargon in the pursuit of pithiness and a recognition that colleagues will know what I am talking about!

Top ranked council

In a week of big skies, wet and windy days and nights and distressing international news, it was good to have something to celebrate mid-week. 

Big sky in Hove

On Wednesday we found out that we had come 12th in the Stonewall Employers Index and indeed first amongst local authorities. This is testament to years of commitment and hard work. I am pleased and proud for all our LGB staff, citizens and those colleagues who worked hard to demonstrate to Stonewall how we do things around here. I am doubly pleased that we have achieved this recognition this year after the disappointment and consternation of last year when we didn’t make it into the 100. Next week I am meeting Ruth Hunt (chief executive of Stonewall). I hope the focus of our conversation will be very much on making sure that our Trans colleagues and citizens get a fair deal. I will be re-emphasising the importance for us of equality for all and having a fair and equal approach to all protected groups, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality and disability.

Ruth Hunt with Richard Butcher Tuset

Management development

I began Tuesday by meeting the 10th cohort of our management development programme. Our development programme focuses on how managers address the performance of themselves, others and their service. It was interesting, as it always is, to hear from colleagues about the benefits of the programme.  I was pleased to learn how our managers have been challenging one another in the interest of improving services to our citizens.

Cohort 10 of the management training

Audit and Standards committee

I explained the importance of management and leadership development later this week, when I was reporting to our Audit and Standards committee on our modernisation programme. This is our agenda for improving the Value for Money of our services, changing how we do things and reducing costs, while improving what we do for citizens. Change is scary. It can be difficult for some and exciting and stimulating for others. As I have often said, change is not optional when we are facing rising demand together with reducing resources. And we need to make the most of key opportunities that are provided by the digital age in which we live.

South East 7

Also, on Tuesday I also attended the meeting of the SE7 (South East 7) chief executives and leaders. One agreed outcome was that we would write a joint letter to the Secretary of State and Local Government Association and others. We will try to re-address some of the misinformation in the press about the ‘crisis’ in A & E and where responsibility and solutions lie. We want to explain that the whole system of Health and Social care (from GPs to A & E) is having to manage increasing expectations, and increasing frailty of our ageing population. We are responding by working hard together in a joined up, planned and committed way, and blaming parts of the system doesn't help.

Wednesday leadership meeting

On Wednesday, the focus of my meetings were the budget and forthcoming agenda for the Health & Wellbeing board. In the afternoon, it was the weekly meeting of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). We agreed reports for Policy & Resources next month and reviewed progress. After a heavy day of meetings it was a joy to go and relax and listen to some jazz at Smalls Jazz club. It takes place underneath the Caxton Arms and Scott Hamilton and the Smalls House band were playing.

Scott Hamilton at the Caxton Arms

A heady mix

Thursday’s activities ranged from meeting with trade unions, The Arts Council, a former colleague who specialises in digital and democracy and a Health and Wellbeing meeting and ending with preparation for the Staff Consultation Forum next week.

Today began with our regular council and health chief executive’s meeting, followed by the first monthly meeting of this year with the three political leaders of the council. Now I'm off to visit our Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) where the council and the police work together to manage our child protection concerns and seek to keep our most vulnerable children safe from harm.

That’s it for a snapshot of the life of a local authority chief executive this week. As you see I move from the big strategic issues like planning the future purpose and functions of the organisation to important individual issues such as complaints that come into my office.

Once again, well done to everyone who worked on our Stonewall submission and have a good weekend.

All the best
Penny