Employee conference round-up

The final conference for this year came to a close in Forres in October, following conferences in Keith and Elgin.

The theme for all three events was ‘Building for the Future’, which focused on how we will deliver our priorities in the current challenging climate. This theme helped us to consider and reflect on the changes that the Improvement and Modernisation Programme will bring to Moray and to increase our awareness on where to focus our efforts moving forward, with a particular emphasis on how we drive service improvement.

The conferences helped us to consider how we become future focussed through supporting and embracing modernisation within the council.

Chief Executive, Roddy Burns, thanked everyone for their hard work and commitment over what has been another very challenging year. He said he was aware that we all know that the Council has to continue to change how it delivers services to achieve our priorities within a balanced budget and that he is confident we can work together to achieve our corporate and service ambitions as the council continues its journey of transformation and modernisation.

Denise Whitworth and Rhona Gunn, Depute Chief Executives respectively provided an overview of the Improvement and Modernisation Programme at different conferences, raising awareness of the types of projects that were underway and sharing their vision for the future of Moray.

Interactive sessions saw the delegates involved in discussion groups, with the first session considering how changing the way that we do things could improve and modernise our services so that the council can be more sustainable in future. The discussions were around doing more with less, making better use of technology, streamlining procedures, making sure we focus on what adds value and ultimately reducing the costs of what we deliver.

Delegates then were asked during the second discussion group to consider how we might prioritise and change the services we deliver to the public. The groups explored what might need to stop or change recognising that as finances continue to shrink we need to prioritise services whilst still satisfy the public in their demands and expectations. This was an interesting session and demonstrated how difficult these decisions are.

Information stands were available during the breaks, and many attendees sought advice from our Occupational Health provider on stress management and mindfulness. The NHS health point had advice and literature on health-related matters, and there were information points on health eating and signposting mental health services.

Council Leader of Moray Council, Graham Leadbitter and Councillor A McLean, opened and closed the conferences between them.

Thanks to all those who attended and took part in the event. The contributions from everyone were very welcome and will be considered by councillors and senior managers as work progresses on making the council more sustainable for the future. Feedback from the conferences will be published on the interchange and in Connect in due course.

interchange

Employee conference round-up

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