District Matters

New Cabinet New Year

December 2019

This time of the year is always a good time to reflect on both the year that is passing and look forward in anticipation to the year to come.

2019 has certainly been a year of challenges. Not least for me personally in needing a total hip replacement. It does make one realise how useful being able to walk is, and how much better it is to be pain free.

After the elections in May we put together a new Cabinet and I am impressed with the way in which the new Cabinet has, enthusiastically and effectively, got to grips with their roles. We work together as a team and have good, free flowing discussions on issues. We all have an understanding of everything that is going on, and there is a lot going on.

In June one of our Executive Directors left and this gave an opportunity to reshape the organisation structure and make new appointments. The first appointments were formally approved by Council on Monday 16th December. We have two further new appointments to make next year which will significantly strengthen the Executive team. This will reinforce our capability and capacity to cope with the challenges we face in 2020 and beyond.

One of the most positive outcomes of 2019 has been the way in which officers and Cabinet have worked openly and challengingly together. A clear manifestation of this was in the development of The Council Plan for the next 5 years. Indeed one of the real assets we have as a Council is our developing culture. It may seem strange to say this after the investigation that took place this year, however the report produced was largely positive and cultures take time to change. As Leader I ‘walk the floor' several times a week. I have an open door policy and encourage people to speak openly. David Buckland the CEO's values and behaviour are closely aligned, so together we will embed the changes even more deeply. Feedback we have had from one of our senior officers who has worked in many councils, reinforces the effectiveness of our culture and how it differs from that found in most councils.

It is the calibre of councillors and officers that will enable us to face the challenges of 2020 and beyond with confidence. Just some of the challenges are:

• The financial position of Stratford District Council in the context of reduced government funding, as outlined by my colleague Dr. Trevor Harvey last month.
• Delivering housing on Long Marston Airfield and the SWRR.
• Ensuring an effective outcome for Wellesbourne airfield that accords with our Core Strategy and Wellesbourne's Neighbourhood Development Plan.
• Revising our Core Strategy, this has to be done every 5 years and it needs to be very thorough. (This will be a big exercise).
• Dealing with Climate Change issues. This will be built in to the Core Strategy review, but we also need to take appropriate actions.
• Facilitating economic development in the District. There are major opportunities we need to seize and we need to work closely with stakeholders on these.
• Working together with, and where necessary, fighting our corner hard with other organisations and institutions. The latter takes up a surprising amount of time and effort.
• Managing the delivery of services to an ageing population.

So, 2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year, there is nothing like a series of challenges to bring out the best in the good people. At all levels in the District Council we have some very, very good people. They make us what we are.