word SPRING 2011
The
The magazine for TCBC employees
COUNTY HALL - ON THE MOVE PAGES 4 & 5
SNOW BUSINESS PAGE 7
PENSIONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT PAGE 11
MEET THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TEAM PAGE 12
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Contents
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Greetings! Welcome to The Word. In just a few months a huge amount has happened, £9 million of cuts across every service area means there won’t be many areas who haven’t felt some impact. Meanwhile, change is something that is going to be on everyone’s agenda for the next few years. We’ll aim to keep you as up to date as we can. Read on for an update on life after County Hall, a profile on Sports Development, Alison’s view on the current situation, plus all the usual staff news and events.
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ON THE MOVE Life after County Hall
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HAPPY RETIREMENT Wishing Joan well
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LEADING THE WAY Torfaen wins Excellence Wales award
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SNOW BUSINESS Rising to snow challenge
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LIFE IN THE CEMETERY The work of our cemetery staff
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STAFF NOTICEBOARD Staff news and snippets
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DIGI-HUB OPENS Digital Valley update
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OUR ACTIVE SERVICE Meet the sports development team
Design and compiled by the Communications Team Editorial 2152 Design & Photography 6494 © 2011 Communications Design
Best wishes Neil Jones Editor 01495 742151
Did you know there is an online social network solely for Torfaen staff to share ideas, news and events with colleagues across the organisation. Yammer is a free to use website for organisations to create their own social networks for the workplace. For us, it is only open to people who register with a torfaen.gov.uk email address and is quickly becoming a great way to keep in touch with people across service areas and, as we contemplate life after County Hall, even buildings. During our staff consultations for the new Intranet, including social networking features was high on your list of priorities. While that project is still ongoing, Yammer can help us develop the links and communication channels that can improve the way we do business. With more of us using tools like Facebook at home, the ability to develop online networks to connect people in the workplace can have huge benefits. By signing up to Yammer you can create your own profile, interact with colleagues, share ideas, create events, useful tips and information, and ask questions from the comfort of your desk. You can create groups for officers working on particular project or for those with an interest in a particular area. In our times of shared services you can even create ‘communities’ to join up across organisations – Monmouthshire are currently promoting Yammer to their staff – so if you’re working on a joint public services project with our neighbours, there are opportunities for linking up. There’s some helpful guidance on Yammer for people unfamiliar with using social networking, but anyone with experience of tools like Facebook or Twitter should quickly get the hang of it. Get in touch with Gareth Phillips (2152) / garethj.phillips@torfaen.gov.uk for more information.
supportive, fair, effective
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True to our values Most of you will now be aware of the positive outcome of our negotiations with staff and trade unions regarding the setting of our 2011/12 budget. To reach a position where nobody who wants to remain as a council employee has to leave, when just a few weeks earlier we were looking at up to 80 compulsory redundancies, is a considerable achievement and testament to the long record of positive employee relations built by the council, UNISON and GMB in Torfaen. Being able to stay true to our values of being a ‘supportive, fair and effective’ employer in the most challenging of financial circumstances this council has ever faced is very important to me. Of course, the changes we have agreed with the trade unions to terms and conditions and employment practices including the reduction in car allowances, disturbance allowance, restrictions on external recruitment and use of agency staff, will have an impact on everyone. I also recognize that whatever we do to protect jobs and services places a greater burden on those who are left to do the same job with less, and I am grateful for the continuing positive attitudes that I see around and your determination to keep on delivering first class services no matter what.
happen, and making our services fit what our residents are seeking then it is now. I make no secret of the fact that I am very proud of this council, and that I believe that we have extraordinary people working here, at all levels of the organisation, who can make change happen in a way that I don’t see elsewhere. I believe that it is this that will give us the edge in not just surviving but thriving in the present economic climate. Our Corporate Plan 2 will guide us through this and will give us the scope that we need to adapt and innovate.
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…we’ve remained supportive, fair and effective in the most challenging of circumstances
Once again, the winter weather reminded everyone that public services are at the heart and soul of local communities, and I pay tribute to all staff involved for rising to the challenge in the face of some treacherous weather – a stark reminder that the country does not function without well resourced and strongly performing public services. As we look ahead to 2011/12 – what we can we best do to meet the challenge of the current times? If there was ever a time for crossing boundaries, sharing resources, making change
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On the theme of which, if you haven’t seen our Digital Strategy, I would urge you to take a look at it. It is a tremendously exciting vision of the future that can transform the lives of people living in our valley and our region – and it’s already happening now! I was recently invited to see the amazing new plaza at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw, to see how the advanced technology available complimented and enhanced the talent and skills of the young people there was a joy to behold.
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Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent me congratulations on being awarded the CBE in the New Year’s Honour’s list. I have resigned myself to being nicknamed “The Commander” for the rest of my career! I am extremely honoured to be recognized in this way – but it is really a reflection on the work of everyone in Torfaen and I wouldn’t have received it had I not been at the head of such a great organisation.
Alison Ward Chief Executive
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On the Move!
Who’s going where?
The countdown has started with just over a year left before we say farewell to County Hall.
Planning and Public Protection: moving to New Inn Depot Neighbourhood Services: all staff will move to New Inn Depot Resources: floors three and four of the Civic Centre which will be reorganised and Pontypool Police station Social Care and Housing: staff will move to the Civic Centre, and space at Fairfield House and Gwent Police HQ Education: moving to Pearl House which will undergo refurbishment
March 31, 2012 is the date for us to exit the Cwmbran HQ and over the next 12 months there will be some big changes as we look to make best possible use of our existing office space. The big question will be who’s going where - see the panel for the latest – but just as important is the culture change it’s going to require across the organisation. We’re going to move to an organisation where people start to put less emphasis on work being a place you go and more on it being something you do. The key to success is the 7:10 desk ratio and the successful implementation of the Alternative Workplace Strategy. With a large number of desks free at any given time, the ability for many staff to take on mobile working – anytime, anyplace, anywhere - will mean there is plenty of room for everyone.
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With office space under pressure the way we manage and store paperwork is another area where many of us will have to change the way we work. If you are a hoarder, you’ll have to start making decisions on what’s essential and what is not! Have a look at the intranet site on Torfnet for a list of FAQs, posters, case studies and everything else you need to make change happen.
Communities: four staff will move to the Trevethin Communities First office and the remainder to the refurbished floor five of the Civic Centre
Roll up! Exclusive sports prizes to be won This is your chance to get your hands on some superb prizes and raise money for Velindre in an exclusive charity auction for Torfaen staff.
Views on the moves Among the teams to have already made the move is the Health Improvement Team. Sharran Lloyd, Health Improvement Assistant Manager, gives her views on the move. “After weeks of preparation, scanning, shredding and recycling paper, the Health Improvement Team arrived on Floor 5 at the Civic Centre in November ready to embrace AWS. “The team were looking forward to the move but also understandably apprehensive as any change can be unsettling, especially with a new office environment, new colleagues, new ways of working. “Our new colleagues on Floor 5 have been really welcoming and helped us settle in quickly. Other positives have been increased flexibility and the team have reported positives around their work life balance too. We’ve also reduced our travelling time and costs. “If AWS is on the horizon for other teams, my advice would be: Effective communication and engagement with staff is absolutely fundamental. If people aren’t fully informed at regular intervals, they’ll start assuming…wrongly! We had a few minor organisational problems. These were encountered due to deviations from the guidance. If you want to avoid them…stick to the plan, its genius!”
We’ve got some great prizes on offer which will go to the highest bidder. •
A football signed by promotion chasing Swansea City team (guide price £20)
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A Scarlets polo t-shirt signed by the squad including Wales skipper Matthew Rees and outside half Stephen Jones (guide price £25)
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Four pairs of tickets for Newport Gwent Dragons end of season finale v Ulster on May 6 (£20 a pair)
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A framed photo signed of Wales stars Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Gethin Jenkins, Martin Williams and Leigh Halfpenny (starting price £30 – there is a reserve on this item)
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A framed signed photo of the Cardiff Blues stars Martin Williams, Paul Tito, Casey LuaLua Dan Parks and Ben Blair (starting price £30 - there is a reserve on this item)
To be in with a chance of winning, email your bid and choice of prize to garethj.phillips@torfaen.gov.uk using the word Bid in the subject line or send them in an envelope marked Velindre Auction to Gareth Phillips, Communications, Floor Five, Civic Centre before April 30.
Happy retirement!
Congratulations and happy retirement to school cook, Joan Williams, who is retiring after 33 years of serving the hungry pupils at Croesyceiliog Junior School. Simon Bates, headteacher, said: “Joan has been a fantastic servant, giving over 33 years to the school. I would like to thank her for all her hard work, on behalf of the staff, pupils and governors. I wish her all the best in her retirement.”Joan said: “I have a lot of great memories. It’s totally different today. It’s really nice seeing the pupils grow up and I will really miss the school.”
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New tricks! We know that we’ve got some pretty talented people in Torfaen, but what about those hidden talents outside of work. If you or a colleague has a special talent, something out of the ordinary, then we want to hear from you. Jamie Robins, communications officer for Neighbourhood Services, doesn’t miss a trick when it comes to managing the news from one of our busiest services.
Outside of work Jamie entertains family and friends with his talent for magic tricks, and has even performed at friends’ weddings. “I started learning some tricks a few years ago and kept it going. It’s undergone a rise in popularity in recent years with people like David Blaine and Derren Brown. The best part is seeing people’s faces when you’ve completely bemused them!” Got a hidden talent? Email garethj.phillips@ torfaen.gov.uk
Support for the next generation Social services staff have been helping to nurture the next generation of health and social care professionals.
ders, Christine Smith
Sue Evans, Mark Saun
and Steve Whitehouse
Torfaen leads the way Officers from Public Protection (Food Standards) and Social Services have scooped an Excellence Wales award in recognition of their work to improve the diets of some of the most vulnerable members of the community. The project looked at nutrition in nursing and residential homes and supported living schemes after surveys showed some alarming results. “We worked with Aneurin Bevan Health Board’s dietetics service to provide training to the cooks and managers
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of care homes in Torfaen,” explained Mark Saunders, manager of Social Services’ Performance Team. “When Monmouthshire’s own survey showed similar results, we recognised that this might be a broader issue across Wales.” And now the scheme could be expanded across Wales, with Welsh Heads of Trading Standards supporting an all-Wales nutrition survey, involving questionnaires about nutrition and the sampling and analysis of menus.
Occupational therapist Jackie Davidge and social worker Luned Jones recently attended Cardiff High School to talk to pupils about the range of careers available. Luned said: “People get many of their ideas about what social work is from the media, which tends to focus on child protection work,” she said. “This was a valuable opportunity to explain how social workers also help adults.” Meanwhile, social workers Peter Forster (fostering) and Lucy Hiskens (older people) were among the first in Wales to gain their Graduate Certificate in Post-Qualifying Social Work, which aims to raise the standards of social work practice.
Peter Forster, and 5th from the left, Lucy Hiskens, at their graduation with other stu dents.
Snow business One of the longest spells of freezing weather in recent memory pushed Torfaen’s public services to the limit over Christmas, and once again, council staff were faced with the challenge of protecting our most vulnerable citizens and ensuring frontline services could be delivered.
‘Snow’ trouble for drivers Day activities drivers Robert Power, Gary Harding and Nigel Christensen transported support workers in the Personal Care Team to locations that would otherwise have been inaccessible. Personal care team manager, Val Bessell, said: ‘A big thank you to the drivers and our support workers, who walked, drove where possible or were transported in four-wheel drive vehicles. Without everyone’s dedication, some service users might not have been visited for days. The drivers also agreed to be on standby all over the Christmas period, just in case we needed them.’
True grit
Updated staff advice
With road temperatures plunging to minus 11, staff from the winter maintenance team were heading out in the early hours of the morning to keep the main roads clear.
We’ve updated the Working in Adverse Weather policy to take on board some of the issues you have raised during the recent spells of winter weather.
Ed Evans, head of property and highway engineering, said: “I want to express my appreciation to all staff for the great efforts that were by made before and during the Christmas period. Through their efforts we were able to keep disruption to a minimum.”
If we are experiencing poor weather, such as heavy overnight snowfall, and you are unable to report to your normal workplace, you must phone your section head, manager or a senior officer at the first opportunity. The updated policy also ensures that people who make the effort to come into work do not lose out if their travel is delayed or they have to leave early. It also makes more allowance for managers to allow combining caring for dependents and home working for issues such as unexpected school closures.
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Life in the Cemetery
Bug’s Life! We’ve all had those weeks when everyone in the office seems full of coughs and sniffles, as viruses and contagious bugs circulate around the workplace.
Cemeteries operations officer Rob Manuel is right when he describes the job his team do as ‘an unusual and specific service’. Imagine putting in hours of hard, outdoor work every day while acting as council ambassadors to service users who are going through a terrible time in their lives. As tough as that sounds, that is the work carried out by the cemetery staff every day. The team who work alongside cemeteries officer Tony Crewe, is made up of cemeteries operations officer Rob Manuel, sexton Nathan Hemmings, grave diggers Dean Davies, Kevin Weaver and Jason Bright and gardener David Beames.
“They really care about the work they do and the people they serve.”
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“We don’t have the choice of rain stopped play,” Rob said. “When snow falls and traffic grinds to a halt the team still have to get here because we have graves to dig and funerals to through carry out.
“Working the winter we have to deal with snow, ice and water but the team always work hard and we can proudly say that we have never had to cancel a funeral.”
It takes a special person to put in the work these staff members do, as Rob explains: “They have a dedication to the service.
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Unfortunately working in Torfaen often means the staff have to battle against atrocious weather conditions to get the job done.
“Working through the winter we have to deal with snow, ice and water but the team always work hard and we can proudly say that we have never had to cancel a funeral.”
Tony Crewe added: “Our staff have to work with bereaved people all the time and I have had no end of compliments from people who visit the cemetery. “We are currently gearing up to open the new cemetery in Cwmbran and we are determined that the excellent reputation we have will transfer over there.”
Protect yourself and others and restrict the spread of germs and airborne viruses by hand washing and remembering when coughing and sneezing to always catch it (in a tissue), bin it (in the tissue), kill it (wash your hands). Keeping your shared work area clean can help too. Research has shown people’s work stations can contain 400 times more microbes than lavatories! You can collect anti-bacterial surface wipes from: The Health & Safety Office, Floor 4, Civic Centre or Health & Safety Advisers, Rob Hill Neighbourhood Services; Nigel Cole Floor 2, County Hall; Greg Price Floor 4 County Hall.
Catering @ County Hall A new sandwich and snack service at County Hall will be provided by Cottage Catering between 11am - 2pm from April 1. In addition to sandwiches and snacks they are able to provide a buffet service for meetings and training events. Contact david@ cottage-catering.org.uk. Please be aware that Cottage Catering’s performance and food safety standards will be monitored by Torfaen Catering and Environmental Health Officers. We do not authorise any other organisation to provide these services at County Hall. If you do use anyone else, then the commissioning officer takes responsibility for performance and food safety standards.
Staff Noticeboard what’s been going on over the past couple of months
Local Gov Heroes
Fresh food
in the Do you ever work ere’s a Th ? ea Trevethin ar to get u yo r fo new venue althy lunch. he a or ts refreshmen e Sandwich Bar Head to Fresh! Th in the grounds at the Life Station ynllyw off of Ysgol Gyfun Gw your lunchtime Folly Road for all catering needs.
Tache-tastic!
There were a few new additions to the Customer Care team e recently thanks to th t, er rb He efforts of Rhys ian m Wayne Ralph, Da Langsford, Andrew Curson and Neil Driscoll, who d each grew sponsore ise ra moustaches to money for Tenovus.
We’ve got our very own recycling superhero in Torfaen in Dan Can, but what about those employees whose tireless work and dedication make them a hero in their own right. It might feel like local government workers are taking a fair bit of flak in the media at the moment, well now ther e’s a chance to put the very best of loca l government in the spotlight. The Guardian’s Local Government Heroes campaign aims to highlight the cru cial public work done day in day out all over the UK. Whatever the story is, Local Governm ent Heroes will help you share it. Look for Local Government Heroes on Facebo ok; @gdnlocalgov on Twitter or email harriet.minter@guardian.co.uk
rt in They were taking pa ign pa m the Movember ca in which specialises Cancer Research for men cancers which affect to em by challenging th an start 1st November cle a ow gr shaven and then e tir en e moustache for th month. of Rhys said: “It was a bit the in fun and hard going d gla t bu in-between stage, it’s gone now!” e A big well done to th e guys who raised mor than £850!
21st Century Learning
Do you have children in Torfaen schools or intere sted in finding out more abou t the education service’s bold plans for the future of educati on in the borough. Throughout March staff from the education service he ld a series of public exhibitio ns around the borough me eting people to talk about our exciting and ambitious plans for 21st Century Learning in Torfaen. There are also dedicate d web pages where you can fin d out more on the proposa ls. Visit www.torfaen.gov. uk/21stcenturylearning or if you have a question or want to have a say email 21stCenturyLearning@tor faen. gov.uk
‘Children in Need’ fun
Staff, students and groups based at the Croesyceiliog Community Education Centre had a fun filled week raising more than £400 for ‘Children in need’. Students and visitors were greeted by Madonna, a cave lady complete with a bone, a ladybird, a naughty school girl, a variety of fruits, a cat, a cowboy and a bee amongst others. A whole week of activities were planned: Monday was ‘dressing in s spots’, on Tuesday summer holiday ssed dre were in our minds as we in sun hats and sunglasses, on Wednesday funny hats were worn whilst pyjamas were the theme on Thursday. On Friday there were cakes and toast for sale as well as ‘anything goes’ with dressing up.
Thanks to all.
Stub it out! Smokers across To rfaen were urged to ‘stub it ou t for good’ for March’s natio nal No Smoking Day. If you are look ing to break the habit, you are up to four times more likely to succeed using Stop Smokin g Wales. For free NHS support call 0800 085 2219 or visit www.stopsmokingw ales.com
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Our Digital Valley
Connected, confident, creative! The Digital Valley strategy aims to make Torfaen communities the most connected in the UK. It sets out a vision in which citizens, businesses and public services are connected, confident and creative in a digital environment and it’s already providing a huge sea change in the way we connect with communities. As staff it could mean big changes in the way that residents interact with us and also in the way that services are delivered. In the near future we could see: •
Residents able to get real time information on when their bin collections are taking place
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Vulnerable residents can remain in their homes, but receive health checks and care services via secure video links
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Planners will set conditions that mean house builders will have to put the infrastructure in place for fibre optic cables in new developments
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Schools are already seeing cutting edge technology in the classroom and parents can access this having their home technology networked with their child’s school
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Residents ability to interact and communicate with public services revolutionized, driving forward citizen-centred services
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That’s just the tip of the iceberg, but gives you a flavour of how the digital revolution could transform services.
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The Digi-Hub – Church View The big challenge now is bringing the Digital Valley strategy to life and there are already a range of initiatives and projects involving partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The Microsoft Academy will offer the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) qualifications. It is currently offering Office 2007 training but shortly will also include Office 2010.
A new venture that has just opened for business is the Digital Hub in Blaenavon – a partnership between us and Melin Homes.
For those with a technical background or interest, there are qualifications ranging from Microsoft Technical Associate (MTA) to the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP).
The centre is managed by Jean Gaywood, who is responsible for the Adult and Community Learning ICT curriculum in Torfaen, and will include both a Microsoft and CISCO Academy. The aim is to provide people with qualifications that can give them the ICT skills vital for getting on in the economy of today and the future – and that includes you, as a Torfaen employee.
The CISCO Academy will offer courses for IT professionals and include IT Essentials and CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA) in the first instance. For more details contact Jean Gaywood on 01495 742949.
Pensions in the spotlight ‘Gold plated’; ‘unaffordable’; ‘black holes’ - what’s the reality of Local Government Pensions? Graeme Russell, Head of Pensions and Employee Services, tells us more.
The Word: So, why do I keep hearing that these pensions are ‘gold plated’?
The Word: So what are the benefits of being in the Greater Gwent (Torfaen) Pension Scheme?
That’s an unfortunate term that keeps being used when anyone is talking about public sector pensions in the media. This is mainly because so many final salary schemes have closed and private sector schemes have had financial difficulties. We have around 13,000 pensioners in the Greater Gwent Scheme. The average payment is about £4,500 per year. A lot of these are women and part time workers. I don’t think anyone can describe that as ‘gold plated’
Well, one of the most important messages for staff is that they are secure - guaranteed by legislation. The other important aspect is that it is a defined benefit (currently final salary) scheme which means your pensions benefits are known in advance as they are based on your length of service and your pay – there are very few of these around these days. When you weigh it up, a defined benefit salary scheme that is guaranteed by law is as good as it gets, particularly in this day and age. The Word: Where does our money go?
The average payment is £4,500 per year. I don’t think anyone can describe that as ‘gold plated’
For every pound that you put in, your employer puts in approximately £3.50. That £4.50 is then invested around the world to deliver the best possible return with low levels of risk. There’s currently £1.6bn in the Greater Gwent Pension Fund and around 46,000 members, making it the equal largest Local Government Pension Fund in Wales. The Word: Sounds good. If I’m not a member, can I join? Yes, anyone who is employed by a member organisation (the five Gwent councils plus other organisations like Melin and Bron Afon) for at least three months and is under the age of 75 can join. The Word: What happens if I’m made redundant or change jobs?
Your contributions are secure if you move to another industry and your pension is still protected by law. It is held on your behalf until you reach retirement age. If you join another council you can easily transfer to their scheme, or if they are already part of the Greater Gwent scheme, you just continue paying. If you are made redundant and are 55 or over you will receive the early release of your accrued benefits pension. If you are under 55 then you’re not eligible for early release.
The Word: And is there a ‘black hole’ in the pension fund?
That’s another phrase bandied about without any explanation. As I said earlier, we have around 46,000 members, aged between 18-100+. The supposed ‘black hole’ is the difference between what our assets are now – so around £1.6bn, and what we would have to pay if everyone in the fund took their pension monies out on the same day. In reality this is something that will never happen but it’s a useful indicator to how well the fund is progressing and it is not something that poses any real risk to the fund. The Word: How will Lord Hutton’s propoals affect us? Lord Hutton was asked to review all public sector pensions including the local government scheme by the government. Among his key recommendations are a change from final salary schemes to a payout based on average careers earnings and a plan to raise the age at which you can draw your pension. Unfortunately any change would affect the pensions of employees as we are required to administer the scheme to the legislation set by the government and invest the money. However, even with the proposed changes, this pension scheme is among the strongest and most rewarding available. In the long term, you’re much better off being part of it.
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MEET THE
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT Keeping on the TEAM right track
Away from the talk of stadia and football clubs, the true legacy that most people want to see from next year’s Olympic Games will be a generation of children inspired to make sport a big part of their lives. It should be music to the ears of our Sports Development Team, who work with Torfaen communities, using the influence of sport to help address some of the big issues facing communities and public services today. “It’s not just about increasing numbers, important as that is,” explains Stuart Lawrence, sports development manager. “We’re also looking to increase people’s sense of worth, wellbeing and self-esteem. Sport can do that and a lot of the projects we are involved in are looking at removing some of the barriers that have traditionally stopped people taking part. That can cover all the aspects of inclusion from the social aspects to supporting those with disabilities.”
Stars of tomorrow
t by the Assemblyo main themes set ou tw s ha rk wo s m’ tea The supports Sports , whose grant funding les Wa t or Sp , dy bo d funde across Wales. Development services make sport part of people as possible to ny ma as g ttin ge is t tive Young People The firs projects such as the Ac e lud inc n ca is Th . es their liv 5x60 schemes which the Dragon Sport and ds fun ich wh e mm progra activities in schools. put on extra-curricular pions’ which lop ‘A Nation of Cham ve de to rk wo the is working at grass The other orts stars of the future, sp ’s en rfa To lop ve de looks to also the coaches fy the individuals but nti ide t jus t no to el roots lev for success. and volunteers needed
From tackling obesity and ill health to preventing anti-social behaviour, supportin g families, even keeping young people in education, it’s ea sy to see how sport can play such an important role in he lping people stay on the right tra ck and help save the public purse huge sums in the future. Officers work takes them from schools, community clubs to Community First areas, working alongside Po lice, Youth Service and other pa rtners to get the message ac ross of the importance of sport, and taking part. “One of the new proje cts we organised recently wa s an inter-generation da y where a family all joined a Ta e Kwon Do group,” said Stuart. “It wasn’t just for th e exercise, but helps them spen d more time together, and that’s probably something many ar e finding harder to do these da ys.”
Clubs and groups looking for funding can also contact the Team for advice and support on 01633 628936