1. New WDP programme
2. WDP Away Day at Woodland Grange
3. WDP wins 2006 National e-Government Award for Shared Services
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New WDP Programme
Following the Away Day, a number of further meetings took place for senior officers from each partner organisation. An ambitious and bold programme of work has now been agreed dedicated to improving customer services and access.
Projects include:
- the investigation of a move towards a single virtual contact centre
servicing the whole of Warwickshire,
- the implementation of common processes in a phased approach
- the adoption of consistent standards when dealing with our customers
To see the full details, please go to Programme.
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WDP Away Day at Woodland Grange
An away day took place on the 17th September at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa. The event had been arranged to allow partners the
opportunity to spend time together in order to work out the agreed priorities for the Partnership during the next three years.
A total of 25 senior officers attended from each of the six partner authorities including Simon Warren, the Chief Executive of Rugby Borough Council. The day was facilitated by Michael Kitts, a partner at PriceWaterhouseCooper.
"This is a very exciting occasion," says Tony Isaacs, Programme Manager, WDP. "There is a real sense of purpose behind the away day and one that reflects the positive and determined attitude that partners feel towards the Partnership. I am sure the away day will realise its objectives and provide a really effective and challenging programme for WDP for the years ahead."
Juliet Short (Stratford-on-Avon District Council), Chair of WDP added, "As elected members, we recognise the key role that the Partnership can play. We have developed the joint access strategy to support partners' effort in bringing about efficiencies and savings. I am sure the implementation of the programme will deliver excellent, value for money services to the people of Warwickshire."
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WDP wins 2006 e-Government National Award for Shared Services
January 17th 2007, 9:32pm - Savoy Hotel, London.
Trevor Russel, the then Chair of WDP and Tony Isaacs, Programme Manager of WDP sit nervously at their table along with 400 other hopefuls waiting to hear the winners announced for the 12 categories of the e-Government National Awards. Uniquely amongst all the 345 entrants, the Warwickshire Direct Partnership has been nominated as finalists in two categories - Shared Services and Efficiencies.
Pat McFadden, Cabinet Officer Minister with responsibility for Local Government, eventually reaches the announcement of the category winner for Shared Services - a very strong category with the most number of finalists (8). All attention is directed to the lone figure standing at the rostrum as he announces "... and the winners are ... the Warwickshire Direct Partnership!"
Stunned and shocked, Trevor and Tony exchange looks before clambering to their feet and wending their way through the narrow paths between the chairs and tables to the dais at the front of the hall receiving applause and pats on the backs as they go from delighted well wishers.
The award is handed over and photos are taken before both return to their table and receive further plaudits from those seated around them.
The award was won for WDP's work in "reaping the rewards of a shared CRM
system", as the submission was entitled. You can read the award submission by clicking here.
Eight months later and the spin-offs from winning the award have been considerable. The Partnership's profile has risen with articles about WDP's achievements appearing in a variety of publications, including "House" magazine - an internal Parliamentary publication received by MPs. MEPs and leading figures in central and local Government, an invitation to participate in a "Guardian" roundtable event, invitations to speak at the Scottish Shared Services Conference in Glasgow and three other conferences coming up in September and October in central London.
Although we didn't manage to secure the second award on that night in January, the WDP is as focused and positive as it has ever been in moving forward to achieve even greater things in the future providing value for money, efficiencies and savings whilst delivering improved services for the people of Warwickshire.