Dear Colleagues,

Since Dawn left as Executive Director in late June, we have been taking on extra responsibilities to provide strategic direction and management to Corporate, Customer and Community Services.

This has been an excellent learning experience for us all and we've really enjoyed getting to know the other services in our directorate more closely.

We'd like to say a massive thank you to all colleagues within the directorate for everything you're doing to deliver fantastic services. With Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on the horizon this may feel like an unsettling time, but this period of change is helping us to support the creation of two fantastic new authorities for Cumbria, which will continue to deliver quality services to our residents. You are essential in supporting us to make sure that we take the best of what we do into those new organisations. 

I'm sure you'll have heard about the Be Brilliant employee campaign, led by Chief Executive John Metcalfe. I'd like to encourage you to think about the things that you do every day that make a real difference to our colleagues and residents. I'd also like to remind you of the thank you scheme, which provides a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation to your brilliant colleagues.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of CCCS News. If you have any questions for the Leadership Team please don't hesitate to get in touch by emailing CCCSNews@cumbria.gov.uk. 

Thanks for reading!

Jo Atkinson, Assistant Director Strategic Commissioning (pictured top left)

Tracy Boustead, Assistant Director Workforce and Organisational Development (pictured top right)

Simon Higgins, Assistant Director Customer & Community Services (pictured bottom left)

Paul Robinson, Assistant Director Organisational Change (pictured bottom right)

Carlisle

The Carlisle Library transformation project will transform the building into a state-of-the-art learning and community space with a focus on supporting people to develop their digital skills.

The project team have been engaging with staff, members, partners and the public. You can now have your say on what you would like to see from the redesigned building at cumbria.gov.uk/carlislelibraryredesign.

Richard Foster, Libraries and Archives Manager, said:

"We're working closely with Adult Learning colleagues to create a redesigned library that provides excellent adult learning opportunities to our residents.

"We hope to incorporate a variety of new features including a vibrant children’s zone, a relaxing social space, adult learning classrooms, study space, an events area, autism facilities, and much more."

Kendal

Kendal Library redesign works are set to commence over the coming weeks and the redesigned library will be complete by Spring 2023.

Lauren Martin, Library and Customer Manager, said:

"The redesigned library will improve browsing experience through clearer signage, improved layout and dedicated seating areas. There’ll also be a fantastic range of activities on offer such as Adult Learning classes, children’s activities and specialist drop ins in our quiet zone."

Further information about this redesign project is available online at cumbria.gov.uk/kendallibraryredesign 

BIPC

Our BIPC Team are now providing free advice and support to business owners, entrepreneurs, inventors, and people with a business idea in Cumbria.

In July, with support from colleagues in ICT, Libraries and Archives, Communications, Economic Development and Digital, the team launched the service, including new hubs in Carlisle and Barrow Libraries, new website and social channels. They're now preparing for a wider public launch in November.

Check out the fantastic new website at cumbriabipc.org.uk

Ian Smith (pictured), Information Security Manager, said:

"With ongoing international tensions, the threat of a cyber-attack continues to rise. Now more than ever there’s a chance that YOU and Cumbria County Council could be a target. We all have an important role in protecting the Council’s information and systems, and it’s vital we all do what we can to help."

Claire Owen (pictured), Senior Information Governance and Data Protection Officer, said:

"In early summer we sent a Data Security and office management message, to remind all council staff what we should do to keep council information safe. Check out the message to staff.

"Don't forget, you should now have completed the 2022-23 Information Security and Data Protection eLearning accessed through My Learning. If you haven’t then please do so immediately.

"Finally I'd like to say a big thank you to all colleagues who help to keep council information, records and office spaces secure - keep up the great work!"

Thanks to the Health and Safety Team for helping to keep people healthy and as safe as possible!

Well done to our Health and Safety Team who received a public thank you from their Cabinet Member for their efforts in a number of Health and Safety initiatives, including the pandemic response.

Councillor Celia Tibble stated she's "immensely proud to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of so many colleagues".

Well done to our Health and Safety Team - and thank you for all your hard work!

+ Read the press release

"Well done for showing huge commitment to our customers!"

The Council's Ceremonies Team has had an extremely busy year so far. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meant that thousands of weddings and civil ceremonies were cancelled and /or rescheduled, leading to an incredibly action packed 2021 and 2022 for the team. Our wonderful Ceremony Officers are travelling around the county, delivering on average over 400 weddings a month. They have shown huge commitment to our customers over the last two years, adapting to the ever-changing Government restrictions around permitted guest numbers, mask wearing and rules around music and readings.

Analeize Lawson (pictured), Operations Lead - Complaints, Information Governance & Registration, said:

"The office team have worked tirelessly to ensure that last minute changes were accommodated and we delivered as many ceremonies as we could. The customer is always at the forefront of this team's mind and they have gone above and beyond to ensure that couples have the day of their dreams – always with a smile and some wedding magic."

Staff LGR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As you would expect, there have been dozens of questions from staff about the impact that LGR will have on them and their personal circumstances. From annual leave, to voluntary redundancy, to TUPE arrangements. The People Management Team have been working hard to firm up answers to these important questions, and continue to do so as new questions come in. 

With the help of People Management, the LGR Programme Team have compiled a list of FAQs that they're updating regularly in line with the new queries they receive. Take a look at the questions and answers.

Check out the LGR staff frequently asked questions

Have your say on the council plans for the two new organisations 

Consultations on on the draft Council Plans for both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council are now live!

The consultation for Cumberland Council closes at 5pm on Monday 5 September and the consultation for Westmorland and Furness closes on 16 September.

Take a look at the Cumberland Council Plan and have your say using the online survey.

Take a look at the Westmorland and Furness Council Plan and have your say using the online survey.

It’s important that you’re part of the conversation, so please get involved and share your views!

Come to the conversation events

These online events provide a forum for all staff from all councils to discuss the new draft Council Plans

For Cumberland Council there were two dedicated online events held on 24 and 31 August.

For Westmorland and Furness the events will be held tomorrow (2 September) and Monday 5 September, both at midday. 

• Join the Westmorland and Furness conversation event for staff on Friday 2 September 
• Join the Westmorland and Furness conversation event for staff on Monday 5 September

Join the all staff LGR Q&A next Monday

On Monday 5 September, 10-11am all employees from the current seven councils are invited to join the live virtual Q&A session.

This is your opportunity to come along, hear directly from the LGR leadership team and ask any questions that are important to you - no question is too big, or too small! You can ask a question during the session via the Q&A chat function or in advance by emailing: info@newcouncilsforcumbria.info with ’Q&A question’ in the subject field.

Join the Microsoft Teams live event - LGR Q&A (10am on 5 September 2022)

Further sessions will be held on the first Monday of each month – 3 October, 7 November and 5 December at 10am. All sessions will be recorded for those unable to attend the live events.

Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) takes on governance responsibility for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS)

In Early August the Home Secretary gave the go-ahead for Cumbria's PCC, Peter McCall, to take on governance responsibility for CFRS.

The decision follows a process that involved the production of a business case, including a thorough consultation earlier in the year. The business case was formally submitted to the Home Office, and it was then independently assessed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

Teams from CFRS and the Office of the PCC will continue to work closely with our LGR project teams and the two new authorities to ensure a smooth transition of CFRS from Cumbria County Council to the PCC on 1 April 2023.

Check out the LGR Sharepoint site for the latest on the CFRS transition.

Check out Organisational Development's SharePoint Site to see all the new dates that have been added.

Conversation Cafes

Everyone is welcome!

Come along and join us for a 45 minute conversation around different topics.

A Conversation Café is a hosted, structured conversation among colleagues about thoughts, feeling and actions in the complex world we live in.

Find out more about the topics covered within the Conversation Cafes

360 Feedback

360 Feedback is a leadership and management tool available for individuals in roles with people management responsibilities and grade 15 and above. Follow the below links to find out more information and get booked on now!

• 360 Feedback - SharePoint site
• 360 Feedback Briefing Sessions

Chat with John

Friday 16 September at 12pm

Join John Metcalfe, Chief Executive on Friday 16 September at 12pm for his next 'Chat with John' session, held on MS Teams. These sessions provide all council staff with an opportunity to talk directly to John about the things that are important to you. You can ask questions, or just listen in.

How to join:

Please keep the time free in your diary, email chatwithjohn@cumbria.gov.uk and you’ll be sent a MS Teams link. We'll have to limit the number of attendees so if you ask to join but there isn't space you'll be invited to the next one.

Do you know someone interested in starting a Level 4 Project Management Apprenticeship?

Those interested have until midnight on Sunday (4 September) to seize this incredible opportunity!

There are a number of reasons that make this the perfect opportunity to kick start a career. Here are just a few!

• Get qualified to Level 4 (equivalent to a foundation degree) in Project Management, gaining skills that are transferable across all sectors.
• Have access to the Council's internal job vacancies. Apprentices that secure a job will move to a full wage whilst continuing their qualification.
• Apprentices receive one-to-one support from the Apprenticeship Team, their mentor, and their line manager.

Anyone interested can find out more at cumbria.gov.uk/apprentice or by emailing apprentice@cumbria.gov.uk.

Have you sent a thank you yet?

Through the Be Brilliant thank you scheme you can send as many 'thank yous' as you want, and the person receiving it will be entered into a prize draw to win a variety of wonderful prizes including chocolates, hampers and gift vouchers.

Send a thank you message to a brilliant colleague 

Help us to save money and pay our suppliers quicker

The Premier Supply Service (PSS) saves the council around £750k per year. We use PSS to pay our suppliers early in exchange for a rebate. Oxygen Finance deliver the scheme on our behalf; they contact our suppliers to promote the scheme and share details of the benefits.

You can help us to save money by promoting PSS with any suppliers that you deal with. To help the Council get the most from the scheme, anyone responsible for approving or receipting goods or services should do so upon delivery and without delay.

+ Find out more about PSS

24 Hour Breakdown Support for Council Vehicles

Anyone who drives a Cumbria County Council vehicle can now access 24 hour breakdown cover and maintenance support across the county via one number: 0300 303 5896.

The new number is being displayed on window stickers in all vehicles and staff are being advised to also save the number into their mobile phone contacts too.  The change means that between the hours of 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, you can choose from a list of five workshops and receive support from the nearest one to you. For an out of hours service you simply press 1 for assistance in the North of the county and 2 for the South and you will be redirected to the mobile phone of the local on call fitter.

"I had to call the Service Centre today regarding EProc, which I haven’t used for a very long time years so totally forgot everything. I was very nervous about asking someone for help but plucked up the courage to do it today and got to speak to Sally Johnston. I have to say the she was wonderful and so patient with me. She took things slowly and explained things to me in a common sense way. She is a real credit to your team.”