Management Conference 2008
Firstly thank you for all your hard work. Your ability, energy and commitment have been key drivers of this local authority’s progress in recent years.
This is a tremendously important and exciting time for Waltham Forest.
For us as a local authority we are starting a new chapter in the development of our organisation. Since 2002 we have gone from being rated as one of the four worst performing councils in the country to - hopefully after our May assessments - one of the very best.
Our scores in individual service areas have been steadily improving - with environment, culture, children’s services and our adult and community services directorate being the latest in a long line of notable successes. And crucially, resident satisfaction has also increased in line with improved performance: the most recent BPVI survey saw significant improvements across all services.
Having mastered the fundamentals we are now ready to combine ever-improving service delivery with playing a leading role in shaping our area.
Of course we have two important inspections, the Corporate Assessment and the Joint Area Review, taking place between the 27 May and the 6 June. These inspections will help inform our Comprehensive Performance Assessment, which is a judgement on the overall performance of the council. Strong assessments in these two inspections may mean we become an excellent - or top tier - local authority.
Michele Moloney and our Performance Team are coordinating much of this work. Thank you for your incisiveness and unstinting commitment.
So as an organisation we are in pretty good shape. But what about our impact on the wider area?
For Waltham Forest as a whole we are setting a clear and ambitious direction of travel. We are aiming for nothing less than the complete transformation of our borough and the life chances of our residents.
A sustainable community that looks after our vulnerable residents and creates opportunities; that works together to tackle child poverty and poor housing; that embraces our roles and responsibilities in combating climate change and harnessing the full potential of strong community cohesion.
We must aim high for our residents.
A forward-looking local authority - shaping Waltham Forest’s future as well as its present.
Ready to capitalise on the unprecedented economic opportunities of the next few years.
Poised to benefit from the transformational impact of the 2012 Olympic Games; strategically well-placed to take advantage of the new economic geography in London - as wealth and opportunity moves east from the city to Canary Wharf and Stratford; at the centre of two of London’s most prominent growth corridors - Thames Gateway and Peterborough-Cambridge.
An economic step-change - creating and retaining wealth in the borough. Our Blackhorse Lane development emblematic of the wider potential for transformative regeneration projects. Attracting a greater mix of residents through an enhanced leisure and cultural offer.
So last Thursday evening at our annual budget we committed to spend over £900,000 over the next 3 years as part of a new regeneration drive to bring prosperity and jobs to the residents of this borough. To give tomorrow’s residents and employees better prospects, more opportunities and improved standards of living.
Anne Bonsor and her excellent regeneration team will be at the forefront of this work. Thank you for your innovation and persistence.
An aspirational local authority - securing the best start for our young people.
Starting at school with revenue spending per pupil to increase from £4,399 this year to £4,940 in 2010: £500 extra for every pupil to support learning and to help liberate the untapped potential on our estates and neighbourhoods - accompanying our once-in-a-lifetime school rebuilding and refurbishment programme. £235,000 extra announced this year to enhance our youth offer because young people need positive activities and play areas to expand their horizons and find their place in life.
But not resting on our laurels - understanding that in today’s society 50% of our young people getting 5 A* to Cs at GCSE is not enough, even one of our young people not in employment or training is too many.
Chris Kiernan and our superb Children’s Services team will lead on this work. Thank you.
An empowering local authority - ensuring lifelong opportunities for our residents
Extending employment opportunity through the new WorkNet Partnership Programme - offering tailored support, job brokerage, skills audits and in-work mentoring. Thank you to Chris Dransfield from regeneration and our WorkNet Partnership team.
And to Satwant and our Policy team - for their forensic data analysis skills in helping us secure Working Neighbourhoods funding.
A listening local authority - because local people are our most important partners.
£170,000, again announced in last week’s budget, to increase the money available for each Community Council to spend - putting residents firmly in the driving seat of local priorities and spending decisions. A constant dialogue with our residents. Consulting at every stage. Waltham Forest as a leader in community engagement.
Thank you to Peter Bailey and his team at Governance & Law and Claire Witney and her consultation team.
A local authority that looks after and enhances our neighbourhoods.
£4.2 million spent in recent years improving our parks, green spaces and playgrounds. Work to remove graffiti and litter. Tough penalties for fly tipping.
Because we know that the physical renewal of our neighbourhoods can be a precursor to residents feeling happier and more aspirational, businesses wanting to invest and communities growing stronger.
Thank you to Martin Esom and his excellent Environment team. Your work is invaluable.
A caring local authority - steadfast in its determination to stand up for the most vulnerable
New investment this year in helping people with learning disabilities; supporting people in residential, nursing and dementia placements; enhancing support for those suffering from poor mental health; and ensuring more people benefit from personalised care budgets.
Because Waltham Forest will only be a truly good place to live when we can confidently say that we will leave no one behind.
Mimi Konigsberg and her Adult & Community team are doing a great job. Thank you.
A sensible local authority - planning our finances for a purpose.
Keeping our council tax rise to 2.5% for the third year running: significantly below the headline inflation rate, 50% lower than the Government’s recommended ceiling and over 30% less than the 3.9% national rise. Taking difficult decisions to make vital savings through the Efficiency Review.
Because we understand that life for many of our residents is tough and that low council tax rises make things that bit easier.
Thank you to Iain O’Donnell and our hard-working Finance team.
So I think you are doing some great work but huge challenges remain
As the Leader of this Council it haunts me that 18,000 of our children in this borough are growing up in poverty: with its impact on educational attainment, health, future employment and future income. 18,000 young lives - unlimited potential, already with the odds stacked against them. Our role is to ensure they achieve their goals. We must do more to intervene and help those in need.
And I do get frustrated if I feel we are not helping fast enough. When I ask for a definitive five-page briefing in the next half hour it is simply because I am impatient to get the information I need and to see progress.
But I know that as councillors we appreciate everything that you do.
We have made great progress. But I think we can and must go much further.
Thank you.
