Newsletter | Dec 09

In this issue:

• A trio of Charter Successes for:

o Sandwell MBC, Telford & Wrekin

Council and Walsall Council

o Photos from this year’s Charter

Celebration and Learning Event

• Sharing Learning

• Learning Opportunities

• Welcome to our new Chairman and

Vice Chairman of the Member

Development Steering Group

We didn’t have a picture of Sandwell’s certificate presentation in time for the last newsletter, so here’s one taken on 6th August 2009, when Councillor Roger Sutton (Malvern Hills DC) from the peer assessors, presented the Full Charter Award Certificate to the chairman of Sandwell’s Member Development Group Councillor Pauline Hinton

Welcome to this bumper issue of the Member Development Charter Newsletter

From left to right: Councillor Sutton and Councillor Pauline Hinton

Charter Successes Full Charter Awards

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

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Walsall Council The 8th September saw the team of peer assessors (from Stoke, Stratford on Avon and Sandwell and West Midlands Leaders Board), undertake an intensive day interviewing a wide range of member and officers at Walsall Council, following which the assessment team agreed that Walsall had successfully maintained the standards to retain the Full Charter Award. The picture below shows the team at Walsall receiving its certificate from Councillor Tony Ward (Sandwell MBC) at its Member Development Steering Group meeting in October.

From left to right: Councillor Christopher Towe, Carol Li, Jennifer Blake and Councillor Tony Ward

Primary Level Awards

Telford & Wrekin Council

Following a full day of interviews on 6th October, peer assessors agreed that Telford & Wrekin Council had achieved the required standards and awarded Primary Level Status. The picture shows Councillor Geoff Denaro (Bromsgrove DC) presenting the Primary level certificate to Councillor Ian Fletcher who is chairman of Telford’s Member Development Steering Committee (MDSC) at its meeting on 29th October Councillors Ian Fletcher (left) & Geoff Denaro

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Member Development Charter Celebration and Learning Event 2009 On 27th November WMLB and IEWM recognised and celebrated those local authorities which had successfully achieved the Member Development Charter. Michael Burton editor of The MJ welcomed 75 guests and acted as a master of ceremonies for the whole event at Birmingham Council’s House Banqueting Suite. Councillor Ken Meeson, Chair of the IEWM, and Leader of Solihull Council presented glass trophies to award winners as a memento of their achievement; Sara Williams, Strategic Advisor IDeA, and Joe Simpson from the Leadership Centre for Local Government gave presentations highlighting the continuing importance of Member Development and the challenges facing the 21st Century Councillor. Representatives from each of the award winning authorities, had been asked to share their Member Development experiences using a ‘Game Show Theme’, then entertained attendees

Primary Award Recipients Bromsgrove “Question Time – Live from Bromsgrove” involved Helen Parkinson as ‘David Dimbleby’ interrogating Councillor Geoff Denaro and Claire Felton about their experiences, in the time honoured fashion. All three gave a fantastic performance, where we were introduced to a new catchphrase ‘dosh not tosh’

Councillor Ken Meeson presented the award to Bromsgrove DC

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Coventry City Council The next award recipient, Coventry City Council initially achieved the Charter in January 2006 and was reassessed against the Primary Level standards in December 2008. Councillor Susanna Dixon, (complete with mortar board), Helen Abraham and Mamta Dhand, really got into the spirit of things by dressing up for their brilliant version of ‘Block Buster’s’. As you can see the ‘nerdy glasses’ were particularly fetching!

Councillor Susanna Dixon, Helen Abraham and Mamta Dhand

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Telford & Wrekin Council The latest local authority to achieve Primary Level standards, Telford and Wrekin gave the third presentation. It all started with the entrance of a very scary Anne Robinson (also known as Emma Price, complete with a flaming red wig) which stunned the audience into silence. In an uncannily realistic homage, Emma harangued, and insulted four contestants (Councillors Ian Fletcher, Adrian Williams, Liz Clare, and Gill Green). All in all, resulting in an outstanding performance of “The Weakest Link”. We even forgave Adrian Williams’ terrible taste in shirts!

Councillors Ian Fletcher, Adrian Williams, Liz Clare and Gill Green with Question master Emma Price

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The morning ended with a delicious lunch followed by a break to visit the “Elected Member Support Showcase Arena”, where all guests had the chance to get information and contact the sponsors of the event on Member Development issues. At this point we would like to say “Thank You” once again to our supportive sponsors:

Full Award Recipients Councillor Gary Crookes, Chairman of the Member Development Steering Group, presented the Full Charter glass trophies. Sandwell MBC The first recipient of the Full Charter Award was Sandwell MBC, and Councillors Martin Prestidge, Darren Cooper, Pauline Hinton and Bob Piper gave their riotous version “Call my Bluff…The Sandwell Version”. Obviously Councillor Prestidge was playing chairman Robert Robinson, but we weren’t sure who was playing Frank Muir, Patrick Campbell & Alan Coren. Anyway following an impromptu vote, the audience totally ignored the true definition of (PDP) Personal Development Plan for something slightly more risqué.

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Staffordshire Moorlands DC Staffordshire Moorlands DC was the next local authority to be presented with a trophy. It was the first local authority in the West Midlands to be awarded with the Full Charter in 2005 and was also the first authority to be successfully reassessed against the revised standards in 2008. Their version of “Who wants to be a Memberaire” presented by Chris Tarrant aka Councillor John Povey, with Councillors Michael Bowen and Hilary Corby, as the contestants Councillor Barbara Hughes as the phone a fiend lifeline.

Walsall Council And last but not least - The final authority to be recognised on the day was Walsall Council. Member Steering Group Chairman Councillor Christopher Towe and Jennifer Blake entertained the audience with a unique version of ‘Master Mind’.

Once again a big thank you to all for your contribution and support which made the event such a great success

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Sharing Learning Sharing Training Calendars One of the key things the Steering Group and Officer Networks want is to be able to share training calendars with other authorities. This will allow people to see what’s available and if needed, send councillors on course at other authorities. Following a meeting of a small working group in October it was agreed that the simplest, least bureaucratic and most cost effective way to achieve this was to use systems that most authorities use already i.e. Microsoft Outlook calendars. As the Regional/Central organisation, West Midlands Leaders Board has set up a ‘no reply’ email account for Elected Member Events, the email address is: emevents@wmleadersboard.gov.uk As with all email accounts, it has an associated calendar, so, when you have a definite date venue time etc. for your event all you need to is: go into your own outlook calendar; click on either ‘invite attendees’ or ‘Scheduling’ in the ‘To’ box send an invite to emevents@wmleadersboard.gov.uk. include the full venue address, postcode and contact details for the organiser.

On receipt of the invitation we (WMLB) will: ‘accept’ the invitation (this inserts the event into the Elected Member Events

calendar; at the end of each month we will create an excel spreadsheet of all events

and upload it to WMLB website The Elected Member Event email account is live, so the sooner you start populating the central calendar with all your events by sending invitations to ‘emevents@wmleadersboard.gov.uk’ the better, Don’t forget to cancel invites when appropriate. For more information contact Nano Hill

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Core Skills for Members Know How briefing papers for Elected Members The first two ‘Know How’ briefing papers for Elected Members with the topics ‘Recession’ and ‘Neets’ were sent out by email to all Member Development Officers for distribution to Members. The following topics for the next four ‘Know How’ papers will be distributed shortly: These cover the following areas:

Domestic Violence Implementing family-centred approaches Equality impact assessments BME engagement and empowerment

I&DeA – the main Leadership academy

Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands (IEWM),is offering all Local Authorities in the Region 4 subsidised places on the Main Leadership Academy programme, The subsidy is for 4 places, and the ‘saving’ cannot be used to fund fewer places, nor can it be used to fund the cost of a shorter duration or less expensive ‘Focused’ programme. 2009 Local Election Candidates Survey

'The 2009 Survey of Local Election Candidates' was conducted by the University of Plymouth’s Elections Centre. It continues to provide valuable information about the types of people that compete for office and something of the flavour of their campaign experience. It covers many aspects of the electoral experience including:

the moment a person decides to contest a council seat

the support network that sustains them through the campaign

the time for reflection after votes have been counted.

The full survey can be downloaded here http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=15289891

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Procurement Member Guides 1. Members Guide for Professional Services

Did you know? Councils could save up to £280m through using agency staff and consultancy services more efficiently. Read on to find out how your council could benefit. Why should it matter to members? Because it is likely that greater efficiencies may be achievable in this area by learning from the best. Local authorities collectively spend £2.2bn per annum on the procurement of temporary agency staff and £1.8bn on external consultants. Saving just 1% on this could release £40m to help cut council tax or invest in other services. Local government procurement experts believe savings could be made of £180m on temporary agency staff and £100m on consultancy by March 2011.

2. Members Guide for Energy

Top tips for making savings through better procurement in energy Did you know? Councils spend £1.4bn each year on electricity and gas, accounting for 3% of the UK energy market. By smarter collaborative procurement and better management, they could save up to 10or £140m each year. Read on to find out how your council could benefit. What does ‘energy’ comprise of? For most councils, electricity and gas offer the biggest opportunity for cost reduction. They are the focus of this guide. But there are also big savings to be made in the purchase of liquid fuel, and by improving energy bill validation processes and the energy efficiency of buildings. Implementing sustainable policies and efficiency projects will typically avoid a further 10% costs on top of those discussed here.

3. Members Guide for ICT

Councils spend over £4bn each year on ICT equipment and related services, and are the largest ICT equipment buyers in the public sector. Spending on ICT equipment and related services is increasing by an average 8% each year, and is expected to reach nearly £5bn by 2012. By smarter collaborative procurement, and the use of e-auctions, councils could save 20%, or £800m each year. Read on to find out how your council could benefit. What does ‘ICT’ comprise of? For most councils, the important areas of ICT equipment expenditure are communications networks, including fixed and mobile telephones, software, data centres, servers, desktop computers and laptops. These are the focus of this guide.

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4. Members Guide for Construction

Councils spend far more on procuring construction than in other areas.

Construction covers a range of activities including, management, design,

delivery and sometimes operation of the required facility. The main expenditure

categories are: buildings, property and roads construction; buildings and road

consultancy; maintenance; asset management; and construction materials.

Whilst asset management is not strictly a procurement activity, many councils

could significantly improve the way in which they, and other local public sector

agencies, individually and collectively, manage their property portfolios to

reduce duplication, increase efficiency and adopt more sustainable practices

e.g. in energy usage.

Download the guides from: http://hub.westmidlandsiep.gov.uk/page.asp?PageRef=88 Understanding the Jargon – a Guide for Councillors This Guide for Councillors, Understanding the Jargon – is a web based glossary tool for Councillors developed for the CAA and Partnership working event on 28th September 2009) We have now posted an interactive version of the Glossary on our Website. Please go to our Home page www.westmidlandsiep.gov.uk and look at the News items and then click on Understanding the Jargon. To jog your memory, the guide covers the key acronyms and titles being used in the context of the Comprehensive Area Assessment, Total Place and other new performance management terms.

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Learning Opportunities I&DeA Leadership Academy 2009-2010 Focussed Programmes

Health Care & Well Being This programme is for lead members who have an executive or portfolio responsibility that includes health, adult social care or well-being, or who are chairs and vice-chairs of health, adult care or well-being overview and scrutiny communities. Module 1 covers a strategic overview of the leadership challenge and the new landscape in adult social care and health and the transformation of adult social care, improving service delivery and the workforce; joint commissioning, the role of overview and scrutiny and local engagement. Module 2 covers creating healthier communities and tackling health inequalities and the future of health, care and well-being. Dates: Programme 7: Warwick Conference Centre Module 1: Friday, 15th January – Sunday, 17th January 2010 (weekend, 3 days) Module 2: Friday, 5th – Sunday, 7th March 2010 (weekend, 3 days) Times start at 4pm on the first day and finish at 4pm on day three for all modules Cost: £750 plus VAT (usually £1,500) and is part subsidised by the IDeA’s Healthy Communities programme Making Children Matter The Making Children Matter Leadership Academy programme has been designed to support lead and other members with an interest in the children and young people agenda, to meet the challenge of providing leadership to children’s services. Module 1 covers effective leadership; the national policy agenda; understanding the legislation, policies and plans for children’s services, delivering improved outcomes for children; building an effective relationship with your director; safeguarding and corporate parenting and more. Module 2 covers delivering effective outcomes – joint commissioning; effective partnerships; new approaches to inspection and regulation from CPA and JARs to CAA; future leadership challenges and effective scrutiny of children’s services. Dates: Programme 16: Warwick Conference Centre Module 1: Tuesday, 12th – Wednesday, 13th January 2010 Module 2: Tuesday, 23rd – Wednesday, 24th March 2010 Fee: £800 covers accommodation, meals, course materials and tuition.

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Your Place in Leading Economic Recovery

This two day residential programme is for Leaders; Deputy Leaders; Portfolio Holders whose brief includes spatial planning, economic development or strategic housing. This course is also ideal for members with a corporate strategy portfolio or LSP lead responsibilities. It looks at how councils are dealing with the impact of the recession, and how they can lay strong foundations for recovery. It will focus on understanding the links between economic developments, housing and planning strategies.

Dates: Programme 5: 15th – 16th February 2010 - Warwick Conference Centre Cost: The £500 fee is fully subsidised (so free to LAs) by the IDeA’s Planning Advisory Service (PAS), covers accommodation, meals, course material and tuition. For further information on any of the programmes please contact Grace Collins on grace.collins@idea.gov.uk or telephone: 020 7296 6563

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C’llr. 10 Inspiring Councillors – Inspiring Communities 4th February 2010, Emirates Stadium

“The Cllr 10 event will be the first ever major national conference specifically for councillors. Organised by the Local Government Information Unit, producers of Cllr Magazine, in conjunction with Ingenium Strategic Events.

The conference provides a unique opportunity to hear at first hand some of the most influential voices in and about local government, and to engage in debate on what is important to local communities. The wide variety of work sessions will help you to develop your practical skills as a Councillor and your understanding of what key policy challenges, such as the ageing population or environmental change, will mean for your ward and what you as a Councillor can do to give a lead. During the day there will also be opportunities to network with colleagues from all over the country to share your experiences and ideas. In addition to Councillors, the conference will also be very useful for council officers and others who support or work closely with elected members.

With a General Election on the near horizon, there is a real opportunity for the emergence of local democracy, and this event seeks to reinforce the idea of local communities making decisions about their own future and spending their own resources.

Plenary Speakers:

Andy Sawford: Chief Executive - Local Government Information Unit John Denham MP: (Labour Party) Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (awaiting confirmation) Caroline Spelman MP: (Conservative Party) Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Julia Goldsworthy MP: (Liberal Democrats) Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (awaiting confirmation)

Timetable:

08:30-09:30: Registration, refreshments and networking

09:30-11:00: Plenary Session 11:00-11:30: Refreshments and networking 11:30-12:30: Choice of breakout sessions 12:30-13:30: Lunch and networking 13:30-14:30: Choice of breakout sessions 14:30-15:00: Refreshments and networking 15:00-16:00: Choice of breakout sessions

Work sessions: delegates will be able to attend three of the fifteen sessions each.

1. Using the media 2. Casework management 3. Making social networking work for you 4. How to bring money into your ward 5. Councillor tax and benefits explained 6. Getting the most from partnerships 7. Getting local people involved 8. Facing change – futures techniques 9. Commissioning – the councilor’s role 10. Better scrutiny – better results 11. Corporate parenting: your role and responsibilities

12. Council finances – the 2010 challenge

13. Ageing population 14. Safety and justice 15. Cutting carbon across your community

Delegate Rates: LGiU Members - £245 + vat quote discount code "lgiu2010" Non Members - £295 + vat. For further information or to book a delegate place please contact Heather O’Hara or Ann Reeves on 0800 612 7720, alternatively email ho'hara@ingenium-se.org

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West Midlands Training courses See below courses of particular interest to elected Members for Jan- June 2010:

January 2010

Date Course Title 18 January - Monday Time Management 19 January - Tuesday Chairing and Meeting Skills 26 January - Tuesday Managing Disciplinary and Capability Situations - NEW 26 January - Tuesday Introduction to Project Management 28 January - Thursday Assertiveness at Work

February 2010

1 February - Monday Managing Difficult Conversations - NEW 3 February - Wednesday Managing in Challenging Times - NEW 4 February - Thursday Recruitment and Selection 10 Feb - Wednesday How to deal with conflict and aggression 23 February - Tuesday Introduction to Mediation Skills - NEW 25 February - Thursday Presenting for the First Time 25 February - Thursday Communicating Effectively in the workplace

March 2010

4 March - Thursday Personal Organisation & Time Management 9 March - Tuesday Managing Disciplinary and Capability Situations - NEW 11 March – Thursday Supporting Teams Through Change 12 March - Friday Presenting with Impact (Advanced) 12 March - Friday How to Mind Map 17 March - Wednesday Introduction to NLP 18 March - Thurs Appraisal Skills 23 March - Tuesday Handling difficult customers and complaints 24 March - Wednesday Developing Mental Toughness - NEW

April 2010

13 April - Tuesday Reviewing your customer service skills 14 April - Wednesday Speed Reading 15 April - Thursday Time Management 20 April - Tuesday Communication & conflict management 21 April - Wednesday Emotional Intelligence -NEW 26 April - Monday Meeting skills

May 2010

6 May - Thursday Managing People Problems 11 May - Tuesday Assertiveness at Work 14 May - Friday How not to procrastinate 18 May - Tuesday Handling difficult customers and complaints

June 2010

11 June - Thursday Presenting for the First Time 17 June – Thursday Managing Discipline & Capability 22 June - Wed Personal Organisation & Time Management 24 June – Thursday Chairing & Meeting Skills 29 June - Tuesday How to Speed Read 30 June - Wednesday Communication & Conflict at Work

To find out non - member rates, about events and/or book places contact Simon Atkinson - Madhoo, Tel: 0121 678 1010 Fax: 0121 678 1070 Email: training@wmlga.gov.uk

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Councillor Gary Crookes Vice Chairman Councillor Mark Winnington

On 4th September 2009 the Steering Group members elected a new Chairman and Vice Chairman for the West Midlands Member Development Charter Steering Group. Following a ballot supervised by Cllr John Povey (Staffordshire Moorlands DC) attendees elected Councillor Gary Crookes (Coventry City Council) as the Chairman and Councillor Mark Winnington (Staffordshire County Council) as Vice Chairman.

Congratulations to you both, we wish you a very warm welcome!

And finally…

Further Information and Enquiries

For further details or enquiries regarding any of the items included in this newsletter please contactNano Hill on 0121 6781021 or e-mail n.hill@wmleadersboard.gov.uk

If you have any feedback or would like to contribute to a forthcoming newsletter contact Caroline Ptaschek on 0121 6781021 or cptaschek@westmidlandsiep.gov.uk

Welcome to our new Chairman of the Member Development Steering Group