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Hello everyone,
Some of you may know that I started my career as a teacher and then on to become a headteacher before moving onto a series of senior local authority roles which also included leading and managing children’s services.
Last week I met with our Headteachers and Chairs of Governors from across the borough at the Education Conference which focused on Inclusion – to improve educational outcomes for all. This was an opportunity for our schools to come together to share knowledge, reflect and collaborate with their primary and secondary colleagues. Having a strong relationship with schools, settings and colleges is so important to ensure that we continue to build on our commitment to put families and people at the heart of everything we do, tackling inequality for a fairer and more equal future.
Talking about learning and opportunities, last week we celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, and we had such a great turnout to the different events and workshops that were held, including a data hackathon!
On Wednesday at the networking event, I met some of our fantastic apprentices. It was wonderful to see and hear from so many of them and find out how we're supporting them with their career development.
It was incredible to hear that since April last year we have 81 new apprentices which is a great way to support with the development and careers of our staff and residents. Well done to Richard Davenport our apprenticeship manager for organising a great week of activities to celebrate and learn. If you would like to find out more on apprenticeships, please do get in touch with Richard Davenport.
 The Apprentices Networking event
I also had the opportunity last week to meet up with our Waltham Forest Young Advisors. It was an absolute pleasure to meet this truly inspirational, enthusiastic, creative group of younger adults .
I was simply bowled over by their appetite and determination to make a difference to where they live by getting involved and advising us on issues affecting young people in the borough – including delivering workshops in schools to reach people that we wouldn't ordinarily be able to. They offered Shazia our Deputy Chief Executive and I, some real challenges as to how we might better work with them.
Thank you to the brilliant teams across the Young Advisors network and for the amazing work that you continue to do in the borough.
Last Monday I was able to spend some time visiting our Insurance and Risk team, Procurement team and Return on Investment team.
These services and staff members carry out incredibly important functions that support work like ensuring residents can maximise the energy efficiency of their homes. They also disrupt the rental market by offering a credible alternative to traditional estate agents by securing private rented properties for key workers.
The teams help drive the market to ensure we get best value on critical services or products to support residents such as those in need of social care, or make sure we get the best return on key contract management.
They ensure that we have consistently high commitment and focus to driving risk management and protecting our organisation and our residents.
 The Procurement team
 The Insurance and Risk team
What struck me from meeting all these teams last week was that all of their work is really about driving out inequity of experience for our residents. The teams all stand up for our residents to get them what they truly deserve – nothing but the best!
 The Return on Investment team with their Lettings Award from The British Property Lettings Award for E17
Our Return on Investment team is pictured with their award for Lettings Waltham Forest who are the Council’s in-house lettings agency. A massive congratulations on this achievement!
A reminder for those who are considering our pathway for the Business Efficiency and Voluntary Redundancy Scheme, applications will close tonight at midnight.
It’s half-term this week and I know some of you will be taking time off to spend with children and your families. If you’re looking for something to do we have lots of family-friendly and free activities taking place across the borough this half term.
And you can also pick up a free tree as part of our annual Great Tree Giveaway which starts today. You'll find them in Ridgeway Park, Highams Park's Humphrys Café, Langthorne Park and Lloyd Park. You can see the full details on our website and watch our special Valentines tree TikTok featuring our very own Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Climate and Air Quality.
Have a great week and enjoy pancakes if you’re having them tomorrow – I will be spending my evening watching Leyton Orient play against Northampton Town – good luck lads.
Linzi
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