Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)
Recently, we welcomed the Audit Commission to Nottinghamshire County Council.
The CPA Corporate Assessment is undertaken every three years and is designed to assess how well the Council's corporate functions operate. The inspectors interviewed a cross section of Members, employees and partners as part of the inspection process. They were also taken on a tour of the county and read over 200 key Council documents, as well as undertaking a survey of 100 partners and stakeholders.
Although the results of the inspection are not due to be announced until September 2008, subsequently leading to the publishing of our 'star' rating in February 2009, there has been some early informal feedback indicating that our strengths far outweigh our weaknesses, and that the authority has made some great improvements in the key areas that were identified after the last inspection.
This initial positive feedback fills me with pride, and it is testament to the hard work and professionalism of all employees of the authority throughout the County, and the great services they provide to our communities.
100th Anniversary of the Territorial Army
This is a year of celebration to mark the contribution of Territorial Soldiers past and present and future across a century of service. It is also an opportunity for Territorial Soldiers to thank those without whose support the Territorial Army would not be possible.
The Territorial Army is part of Britain’s Reserve Land Forces and provides support to the Regular Army at home and overseas. Throughout history, almost every major operation has seen TA Soldiers operating alongside their Regular counterparts; indeed, the Territorial Army is the largest of all the Reserve Forces. In recent years it has become the Reserve of First Choice, an integral part of Britain’s land forces, using much the same equipment, operating to the same standards and providing indispensable support to the Regular Army. Indeed, the expression “One Army” is what drives current recruitment and selection and encapsulates the role of the modern Territorial Army.
The Territorial Army has a strong history in Nottinghamshire and TA 100 gives us the opportunity to showcase what the modern Territorials do and to raise the awareness of the contribution they make in both their military and civilian lives. It is an opportunity for Nottinghamshire to recognize and thank Territorials past and present for their commitment to Service and the contribution they have made to the security, democracy and the prosperity of the nation.
This contribution made by Reservists is only possible with the continued support and encouragement of families, employers and the wider society. This historic anniversary gives the Territorial Army an opportunity to thank those whose support is vital to the concept of Reserve Service.
To celebrate their Anniversary a civic reception, hosted by the Chairman, was held here at County Hall, which was enjoyed by everyone who attended.
LAA Core Negotiation Group
As you may have seen or heard in the local media, Nottinghamshire’s new Local Area Agreement (LAA) is about to start.
As Chair of the Nottinghamshire Local Strategic Partnership Board I am looking forward to the LAA 'going live’ on the 4th of June 2008.
Our new LAA will be a three year agreement (2008-2011) which is all about the key organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors all working together in partnership to deliver genuine improvements at the community level.
All LAA members have been working hard over the past year to develop our priorities which we will focus on more than ever to bring improvements. The new LAA will have 10 priorities including:
- Promote a thriving economy.
- Improve educational attainment and skill levels.
- Improve community cohesion and participation.
- Reduce crime and fear of crime.
- Tackle smoking and alcohol misuse.
- Improve emotional wellbeing.
- Tackle rising obesity.
- Reduce health inequalities.
- Improve quality of life for vulnerable people.
- Promote environmental sustainability.
Meeting the Dalai Lama
On the 27th of May, I was fortunate enough to be able to meet His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, who was taking some time out from his speaking tour at the Nottingham Arena to visit County Hall.
Many people turned up to see the Dalai, and he was extremely friendly to everyone, despite the weather attempting to sabotage the day! Whilst blessing a tree on the banks of the Trent, he took time out to speak to the people who had gathered, and was very pleasant and warm to be around.
Afterwards, we had a small questions and answers session with invited guests in the Civic suite, and the Dalai entertained us with his wisdom and dry sense of humour.
Meetings attended
I regularly meet with the Chief Executive of the County Council, Mick Burrows, in order to discuss all the important issues on which we work together. The issues dealt with may only affect one person, or they may affect the whole County, and so it is vital that we are both working together to bring the best possible outcomes in all scenarios.
Likewise, I have meetings with the Leaders of the District Councils and their Chief Executives, in order to ensure that where the authorities work together, we are doing so under a united banner in order to benefit the people of Nottinghamshire.
The Deputy Leader and I also continue to hold fortnightly meetings with a representative from the Nottingham Evening Post and Corporate Communications, where current and forthcoming areas of interest are discussed. I also meet with a representative of the CHAD to discuss similar matters.
I also continue to hold fortnightly Communication Portfolio update meetings with the Deputy Leader and officers to discuss how we can best we can keep the people of Nottinghamshire informed through County Council channels about our plans.