express briefing @ 8
Facing the Future – the Sandwell Way 17 September 2014 Cllr Steve Eling Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Resources Jan Britton - Chief Executive Steve Handley – Programme Director, Facing the Future
A quick reminder ‌ what is Facing the Future? A definition ‌ Facing the Future is a programme of cross-cutting change management projects which are essential for the reshaping of Sandwell Council over the period of 2015-2020. Facing the Future
In layman’s terms it’s about … A transformation programme that needs to save save £23m in the next two years by transforming the way we do things This means … • Helping people to help themselves • Delivering right first time • Sorting the simple stuff out quickly • Making the best use of Sandwell’s assets • Creating the conditions for growth … and whatever else you can think of. Facing the Future
The challenges continue … • Cuts from central government continue to have a major impact • £41 million decrease accounted for over the next two years • Still means a further £23 million needs to be found in this timescale • This will involve us all working differently and addressing services from a new direction … this is why the Facing the Future Programme exists • And then there is 2017/18 to think about! Facing the Future
So where are we money wise? • We are on target to deliver the additional savings of £10m we need for 2015/16 • Plans are in place to deliver the extra £13m we need in 2016/17 but we still need to do a lot of work in the next 12 months to make sure we get these right • We must start planning now for inevitable savings in 2017/18 • The Facing the Future team will be focussing on 2017/18 but this will be challenging so everyone of you will have a part to play in this being successful Facing the Future
Delivering the goods … • Since February express briefing much has happened • Originally eleven projects, two added recently • Real savings are being made combined with real transformation • Yes we are on target but cannot get complacent • The journey will get tougher .. we must keep our collective foot firmly on the pedal • A recent review has helped us to re-focus
Outcomes from the Local Partnership review of Facing the Future … • An amber rating overall • Key recommendations – – – –
Need to clarify the scope Need to establish a new dedicated FTF delivery team Need to improve communication/stakeholder engagement Need to map project interdependencies
• The response has been immediate
Facing the Future
Moving forward … • a new dedicated delivery team to drive the programme forward • They have ‘hit the floor running’ in responding to the recommendations • They can’t do it alone and this is where you come in • Everyone must contribute to Facing the Future if we are to make the savings we need and change the way we do things to make it happen Facing the Future
Time to get engaged … • A new FTF communications and engagement strategy • A new FTF intranet presence • FTF ‘champions’ from each Directorate • Maximising all communication channels • Benchmarking where we are via: – Investors in People – Employee Survey – Focus Groups
express briefing @ 8 Next time‌ Locality Working