Reputation Workshop with Wychavon’s Strategic Partnership
– Wednesday 29 January 2013
In attendance
Audrey Steel, WDC, Ian Hughes & Juliana Crowe, Rooftop, Angela Fitch, Worcestershire Federation of
Small Businesses, Dave Hemming, WDC and SW Community Safety Partnership, Kate Jones, Children’s
Centre, Worcestershire Council, Sean Kent, Deb Wragg & Phil State, West Mercia Police
Cherrie Mansfield & Tracy Perkins, WDC, Carol Pratt, Droitwich LSP and Wychavon Community Action
Partnership, Josie Wilkinson, Wychavon CALC, Grant Wills, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Result Service
Deb Dale, WCC and Viv Gillespie, South Worcestershire College
Fiona explained purpose of session – to get partners view’s on our reputation (as a Council) now and what
we could do to improve it in future. While resident satisfaction rates were high, with challenges like the
budget reductions, Fiona didn’t want to get complacent. The review was following the LGA Reputation Guide
Format that identifies 5 rules of reputation. Fiona briefly outlined these. Results of sessions were being pulled
into an action plan.
Three words – Partners’ views of Wychavon DC
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Value for money
Good partnership
Always helpful
Accessible
Business supportive
Strong local communities
Public services
Enabling
Professionalism
Good and competent
Decisive
Collaborative
Run as a business
Property portfolio
Good communications – why, what, how
How we do things
Flexible
Tourism facilitator
Clarity of plan
Open in relationships
Transparent
Not controlling
Empowerment – open style – take risks
Good relationship with voluntary sector – unusual for councils
Residents’ views
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Bins – snow – long delay
Affected by hot issues that people are experiencing now – e.g. pot holes
Planning – slow
Planning – allowing out of town development
Car parking charges? Not consistent? High? Affordable? Offer
What could we do better on?
 Landlords – better work with
 Where’s Wychavon?
 Vision for Wychavon?
Partnership reputation
 Better awareness of local partnerships
 Not about the partnerships taking credit, but achievements, difference they make
 The WSP is a strategic facilitator, doesn’t matter if people don’t know about it
What could we do more of?
 Case studies – encouragement – share impact of initiatives on people
 Rural – do we do enough? Are we too towns focused?
What one thing would you change about Wychavon?
 Faster planning
 Sort Evesham town centre and economy
 Use parishes to improve communications – electronic, clerk – noticeboards
 Do more to attract people to stand for election – profiles/promotion
 Social connectivity volunteering – not just relying on technology
 Let go of Holly Grail – about who does what. Focus on outcomes - it’s about what we do
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Social isolation – Eastern Europeans and Gypsies and Travellers
Do better but with less money
Challenging the County Council – fighting for resources for Wychavon residents, especially when
services are commissioned
Social housing – improve with Housing Associations
Localism – involve people and voluntary sector
More on voluntary sector – employment, helps with more for less
Work closer with County Council – make money go further, on the same side
Evesham town – tourism
More for villages – cleaning, check how often
Explain why we do things more often – as well as what and how
Be honest about what we’re not able to provide any more and invite people to fill the gaps
Needs and perceptions are often different
Thanks for everyone’s contribution – Fiona Narburgh, Head of Strategy and Communications 07855 276104