Executive director blog posts.
In my last blogpost I touched on our new People Strategy
How we care for our older and more vulnerable residents is at the top of the news agenda following the Government's announcement about funding social care.
The last couple of weeks have seen the Government make a wide range of announcements that will have huge significance for local government.
Well, this will be my final blog as Executive Director for Children's Services at Derbyshire County Council.
Sitting reading The Times one morning in August, I came across the following article by Ann Treneman - a columnist and Derbyshire resident.
Like many over the summer, I have recently been on holiday and have come back feeling refreshed and relaxed from my time away from work.
There's no doubt that the pandemic has had a profound effect on all our working lives and brought about many changes.
I've always been so proud to work for Derbyshire, and am having very mixed feelings as my time here draws to a close.
Football being in the news recently has brought to the forefront of my mind questions of leadership.
This week schools across Derbyshire will be breaking up for what I hope will be a great summer holiday.
We are rapidly approaching 19 July when the vast majority of the legislative coronavirus restrictions that have been in place since last year will be lifted.
We're all lucky enough to either work, or live, in the most amazing place - Derbyshire - which is the county I'm proud to call home.
No doubt you'll all have heard the announcements on Monday and Tuesday about the government's plans to lift coronavirus restrictions on 19 July 2021.
As we embark on the next phase of our Thriving Communities programme it seems like a good time to tell you what's already been achieved.
We've all come such a long way in the fight against coronavirus but I am reminded as I sit here typing that there's still more to do.
Many of you will have seen the announcement made last week that I will be leaving Derbyshire County Council in early autumn
Chris Henning joined Derbyshire County Council in May as the new Executive Director – Place.
Our Modern Ways of Working project is looking at how we will all work differently moving forward as we start to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As you are hopefully aware I am the council Executive Director for equalities and diversity and today I want to pick up a particularly important issue.
We all know climate change is a global issue which, as a community leader, we want and need to play our part in addressing.
On Thursday 6 May 2021 voters in Derbyshire will get the chance to decide who will run the council for the next 4 years.
In a few weeks' time it will be foster care fortnight, we will be doing all we can to raise the profile of the amazing work foster carers do.
Imagine if we were asked to write down the thing we would least want other people to know about us
Over the past few weeks I've been involved in some of the employee engagement workshops that have been held across the council.
The clocks have sprung forward, spring is in the air and Easter is fast approaching.
As I write this, I have just come from observing the minute's silence that marked the anniversary of a year since lockdown.
You may not be aware but alongside my functional role in children's services I now have a new role as Executive Director champion for equality and diversity.
Last Friday was the anniversary of the first COVID-19 death in the UK
This week is national Food Waste Action Week and it got me thinking about what more me and my family can do to avoid throwing food away.
Like most of you, I was desperate to hear what the Prime Minister was going to say earlier this week about the plan to get us out of lockdown.
We now have a real opportunity to build on the flexibility and agility you've shown to permanently change how we work.
I don't usually go big on making new year's resolutions. But I have been thinking about the year ahead.
I hope that despite the current lockdown and the various challenges that many of you will be facing, you're able to keep some optimism for the year ahead.
Many of us started this new year with a hope in our hearts that the worst of COVID-19 is past us.
Most of us I'm sure will have watched this evening's Prime Minister's announcement.
You can't turn on the news currently without seeing mention of vaccinations.
I've taken to reflecting on all that has happened so far this year and how important it can be to just be in the moment.
Since I last wrote, National Safeguarding Adults Week has taken place.
Here in children's services we've recently been receiving far more compliments than complaints. It's the first time we've seen this and it got me thinking.
I am very aware that this is stating the obvious but we are working in unprecedented times and have been for much of this year.
It's been a time for reflection this week. From Remembrance Sunday to Armistice Day.
The clocks have gone back, the first frost has formed and our 'alternative' Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations are over.
A message to all employees from Emma Alexander about Saturday's lockdown announcement.