Introduction Welcome to our year at a glance.


This has been a year of unprecedented change for the public sector and for officers and politicians the intellectual and emotional challenge has been huge. We have worked hard to respond to the changes, and support authorities to navigate the unchartered waters. Reflecting on the last twelve months, there have been significant successes and a lot of learning for the future, and this summary records some of the highlights and achievements.


Changing times


The Comprehensive Spending Review presented local government with a significant funding reduction over a four-year period. Whilst it has been a challenging time financially, there are also a number of opportunities, and authorities are already thinking radically about service redesign and delivery.


Like authorities, our challenge has been to “deliver today to support authorities and redesign our services for tomorrow”. We have a great team and have continued our commitment to building an organisation that serves authorities well, and achieved the Bronze Award in Investors in People in 2010.


Our Executive Board believe that in the current climate, membership of North West Employers is even more crucial, and this year each authority received a statement of the support


their authority received in return for their membership fee. This transparent approach is an important symbol of the partnership we have with authorities in the North West.


Our prime role continues to be to provide support to individual authorities but we have also had a very successful year working with partners to secure benefits for all authorities. North West Employers have managed the Enablers Commission work for the North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (NWIEP) and we were delighted to have been asked to manage the continuing improvement activity up to April 2012.


We look forward to working with you in the future and hope you take the time to read through this annual summary.


Very best regards


We started the year with a “Refresh and Reshape” exercise that introduced our new priorities branding and structure. In the current climate it is imperative that we attend to the issues that most concern employers. As part of our refresh and reshape process, we sharpened our priorities for 2010-11.


They are: • Workforce and Employment • Learning and Improvements • Knowledge and Networking


Whilst the world has changed significantly, we have held fast to what you told us was important to you and what you wanted from us... To act as a connector across authorities and joint boards, share practice and where it makes sense co-ordinate activity across authorities.


You told us that you... Value the relationship with our team that’s been built on trust, and the support provided through networks and support to groups and individuals.


Liz McQue Chief Executive


4 Our year at a glance


Councillor Don Lawrenson Chair


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20