East Herts District Council

CLIENT ASSIGNMENT:

People Management Peer Review

Duration: 2 Months

Location: Hertford, Hertfordshire

EiB Role:

Peer Review Managers

Client Feedback:

"East Hertfordshire Council found the review to be very stimulating.  It clearly set out for us the challenge of where we need to drive forward improvement.  The team's open and receptive approach ensured that the review process itself started to create the learning environment we wanted - even before we had the feedback.  We found the review team to be very flexible and recognised that the review, although important to us, should not distract us from our daily work.  As a small District Council, this approach was very welcome." - Anne Freimanis (Chief Executive)

Project Overview:

Situated north of the M25 and adjacent to Essex, East Herts Council is the largest Council in Hertfordshire.  It was rated 'good' at its comprehensive performance assessment and the audit letter noted that it had performed well in 2006 despite 'turbulence' at the top.  As a result of the appointment of a new Chief Executive, a new Leader and a new Head of Human Resources, there was an organisational focus on transforming the organisation.

With aspirational plans in place, Excellence in Business was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive review of the Council's people management practices and the contribution being made by a poorly regarded HR function.  The Chief Executive was keen to receive impartial feedback on the plans to transform the Council as well as highlight its strengths and key areas for improvement. 

The review involved interviewing a wide cross-section of officers, elected members and other stakeholders.  A feedback presentation was given to the Senior Management Team and the Leader of the Council, backed up by a comprehensive report setting out the findings and making recommendations.  The review was very well received by the Council and it has already addressed many of the recommendation made by the team.

Project Outcomes/Impact:

1. There was widespread acknowledgement that the review had accurately identified the Council's strengths to build on and areas where improvement was needed;
2. The team's report made a number of recommendations to support the council's transformation plans and objective of becoming 'excellent' which were embraced by members and officers;
3. As a result of the PMPR, the Council believed it was clear about what it needs to do to take performance to the next level and is using the report as a part of the blueprint for transformation, having signed up to all of the recommendations.
4. Many of the staff found the process proved to be a valuable development and learning opportunity as they believed it was: open, receptive and inclusive, and did not feel like an external inspection.

CONSULTANCY SERVICE LINKS:

CONSULTANT LINKS: