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Private Notes
The information contained herein is strictly embargoed from all press, online and social media use, non-commercial publication, or syndication until Tuesday 16 June 20 Don't Blame The Council What happens when a council tries to reinvent itself as a profit-making enterprise to make itself less reliant upon central government grants? Does management have what it takes to change the culture of its council workers to cut waste and become more efficient? And can they win the hearts and minds of residents, in the face of big changes to the services they receive from the council? Wigan Council has been one of the hardest hit by cuts, losing over £100m in funding. It’s now struggling to maintain frontline services, but rather than going down without a fight, senior management have taken radical action. Director of environmental services Terry Dunn believes he has a workforce that can take on the corporate world and win new work. He’s transforming the environmental team into a money-making business and hoping to generate extra revenue to save their front line services. Management need staff to squeeze the most out of every penny, but they face an uphill battle. Not all workers at the council are on board with the new business-like direction and some local residents are unconvinced with the council’s grand plans. Don’t Blame the Council has access to Wigan Council’s 'blue-sky thinking' sessions in the boardroom, and the reality on the ground where some staff struggle to deliver changes.
