Leading through change

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Leading through change Creating One Council
for Wiltshire
Jane Scott Keith Robinson
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What we did

• 1 County 4 District Councils
• Invitation to propose unitary
• 26th October, 2006
• Ministers decision 25th July, 2007
• Parliamentary approval
• 25th February, 2008
• Implementation 1st April, 2009
• Elections 4thJune, 2009

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Why we did it

• We cant continue doing what were
• doing in the way we do it!
• Were running out of cash!
• Nobody understands us!
• Nobody loves us!
• Public services should get their act
• together!
• and help our communities!

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Why we did itTo create stronger and more
resilient communities

• Provide high quality, low cost,
• customer-focused services
• Ensure local, open, honest decision
• making
• Work together to support Wiltshires
• communities

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How we did it

• Phase 1 Conflict!
• Proposals, counter arguments, consultation
  decision
• Phase 2 joint planning through transition
• Implementation Executive (881)
• Joint Implementation Team
• Programme Board
• Phase 3 new Council leading transformation
• 98 councillors
• Corporate Leadership Team

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Key activities

• Customer service from Day 1
• Area Boards new governance
• SAP Shared Service Team
• Service merger transition
• Budget savings
• Structure appointments
• Electoral boundaries
• Communications
• Culture What will we be like?
• Performance

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What went well?

• Leadership the
• Implementation Executive
• Leadership all Directors
• Involvement District
• County Councillors
• Pilot Area Boards
• Development control
• Briefing

• Day 1
• Publicity
• Customer service
• Savings efficiency
• SAP
• Staff understanding
• Performance

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If we were doing it again

• The process took too long
• Budget 2009 was complex
• Appointments took too long
• We lacked consistent information
• Some disruptive behaviour

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Lessons

• Reorganise with a purpose
• Explain communicate
• Strong leadership (Member officer)
• Enable people to shape the future
• (Member officer)
• champions, floaters and blockers
• Strong programme management by the
• right people at the heart of the business
• Distinguish transition from transformation