Welcome to the latest issue of Team Brief

As of next Wednesday (1 June) our new structure will kick in, and as of yesterday our new cabinet was confirmed.  We are working to bring together people from across the organisation to work in a new way – allowing us to focus on some of our biggest challenges.

• Climate emergency
• Fear of crime
• Health inequalities
• Housing crisis
• Cost of living crisis

More information on these will follow soon. In the meantime please ensure that your teams have the information they need and cascade the information included in this issue of Team Brief at your next team meeting.

Director of Destination

Welcome to our new Interirm Director of Destination, James Leay. James will be using his knowledge, experience and entrepreneurial approach to build Waltham Forest and its venues and activities as stand out destinations for residents and visitors.

James has a wealth of experience in different sectors including tech, hospitality and property. He founded and led projects including Pop Brixton, Peckham Levels and Hackney Bridge.

We asked James why he chose Waltham Forest and what his priorities for the future are. He said: "I was very excited by the brief and the opportunity to create a sustainable model for culture across the borough that delivers tangible benefits for local people. I also resonated with the organisation's values and admired Waltham Forest’s reputation as a leading local authority in London. My priorities over the next 6 months are the summer programme at Fellowship Square and a ten year business plan for culture across the borough."

Objective setting

If you haven't already, please make some time today or tomorrow to set objectives for your team. You have been sent an email link to the objectives questionnaire from Clear Review. To access the link on Clear Review: -> Your Team -> Viewpoints -> Objective Setting 2022-23.

We have introduced some new features this year along with the objectives questionnaire – the Personal Development Plan Objective and Mandatory Training. 

For any queries please contact the Organisational Development team. The deadline to set objectives is tomorrow (Friday 27 May).

Improving our budget monitoring with MyBudget

If you are a service manager with one or more cost centres to monitor, you will be keen to hear about MyBudget, a new tool that will be rolled out in stages starting from September 2022 which will empower budget holders with better financial reporting and improved access to budget monitoring and forecasting.

MyBudget is the first phase of the Council’s move to Oracle Cloud, which was featured in last month’s Manager Brief.  Oracle Cloud will replace the Council’s outdated SAP system over three phases by the end of 2023.

By December 2022, MyBudget will be rolled out to a maximum of 100 budget holders. This will be done by Strategic Finance Advisors working with Corporate Directors to agree who these individual budget holders will be so that that 1-2-1 support and guidance can be provided.

Find out more about the rollout plan and what this means to you if you are a budget holder at the link below.

Oracle Cloud

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee opening event and Beacon
Lighting
Thursday 2 June, 5pm-10pm,  Fellowship Square

Staff and their families are welcome to an evening of entertainment before the lighting of the beacon. There are also lots of other free ways you can enjoy the Jubilee during the bank holiday weekend.

Tour de Waltham Forest 
18 June to 19 June

There will be 14 rides and seven different routes across the borough. Why not set up a work team or arrange a collective team outing. It’s a free event and a great team-building exercise! If you or members of your team do not have a bike, you can use the Cycle2Work scheme to buy a bike with tax savings.