15th June 2018 - Walsall Council
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15 June 2018
Training & Development
Latest News
Latest News
Training and
development
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Events
Events and Staff
Staffdiscounts
Discounts
opportunities
Disclaimer: The council does not endorse, guarantee or assume responsibility for any product or service advertised or
offered. Staff should check with the supplier that the discount stated here is still available before they agree to purchase
the product or service. The council is not a party to any transaction
Latest News
Walsall Leather Museum celebrates its 30th Birthday
Walsall Leather Museum recently celebrated its 30th birthday in style, with a gathering of some of
the most talented craftspeople working in leather today, along with friends and supporters of
Walsall’s top visitor attraction.
Beautiful music, from accordion-player John
Slater, greeted guests and drifted around the
museum as old friends and new
acquaintances talked all thing leather.
The Museum welcomed its former Director,
David Guy, and former Curator, Mike Glasson
– both instrumental in the creation of the
Leather Museum in 1988 - as well as Service
Manager, David Gill, and Councillor Rose
Burley.
Vistors were invited to view the “Made in
Walsall” gallery – which has been re-vamped
to mark the museum’s milestone birthday and
see a new exhibition of contemporary
leathercraft, “Celebrate!”
Skilled craftspeople Valerie Michael, Neil MacGregor,
Riina O, Georgina Brett Chinnery, and Sue Lowday
travelled from far and wide to view their artworks in
the exhibition and show their support. Royal Warrant
holders Ettinger were on hand to demonstrate the
making of luxury leathergoods, whilst Frank Baines and
Alan Hall showed visitors the age-old skills of saddlery
and bridle-making.
Of course, no celebration is complete without cake,
and local bakery Fletcher’s provided a colourful and
delicious bunting cake to round off the party.
ATAR historic exception issues
There are a number of historic exceptions that exist on the ATAR system following a change that was
made at the end of April.
As an attempt to reduce the huge number of historic exceptions currently showing on ATAR, ICT
has decided to take the following mitigation actions:
We have removed some permissions from ATAR administrators which will prevent them
being able to run process attendance. If you are an ATAR administrator and have noticed any
difficulty logging in, then please let us know by logging a call with us via the ICT Service Desk.
We will run a script against the ATAR database on the evening of Thursday 14 June to hide
exceptions prior to 1 April 2017. We have chosen this date as this was the point in time we
changed to the new flexi scheme, and staff would have had an accurate picture of their flexi
balance at that point. We have already done this in the test system and believe we will
reduce the number of exceptions from around 36,000 to 16,000.
Going forward - In the short term, ICT proposes to hold some drop–in events to assist ATAR
administrators with any remaining tricky exceptions. Dates will be published soon. In the slightly
longer term we would like to invite a small sub-group of ATAR administrators prepared to undertake
two days training and become Super Administrators.
This will allow us to reduce the number of people who need access to amend working patterns and
rules. If you wish to volunteer to be a Super Administrator of ATAR please contact Samantha
Price via email samantha.price@walsall.gov.uk
Roof Top Gardening Project
Are you interested in gardening? Or are you keen to learn new skills? Would you be willing to spend
some of your lunch break once a fortnight to make a difference to the Civic Centre roof top garden?
The area is set to receive
some TLC, as part of a wider
programme to improve the
health and wellbeing support
for council staff.
Working with a professional
gardener who was once Head
Gardener for Rodbaston
College, you will be directed
in pruning, weeding, planting
and generally enjoying the
fresh air.
The first session will take place on Thursday 22 June, 12pm-2pm on the roof garden. If you’re
interested in taking part please email your name to sarah.oakley@walsall.gov.uk or call 01922
653086.
All tools and materials will be provided including gardening gloves or you can bring your own.
If staff at other council venues are interested in developing a similar scheme at their place of work,
please get in contact with Joe Holding in Public Health. Joe.holding@walsall.gov.uk
Time to Foster?
Did the recent national ‘Foster
Care Fortnight’ campaign spark
your interest in becoming a
foster carer?
If you have questions about
what it’s like to foster,
payments and allowances for
caring for a child, or how the
application & assessment process works, come and see us for a chat.
Members of the Fostering Team will be at the Council House in Lichfield Street, Walsall from
4.00pm – 6.30pm on Tuesday 26th June to give you more information. We can also explain
how flexibility offered by the ‘Family Friendly’ policy can help Walsall Council employees
who become foster carers.
You can find out more at www.fosteringinwalsall.co.uk or Facebook/FosteringInWalsall or
Twitter @FosteringWalsal. You can also call 0800 923 3706 for an informal chat.
The Council’s 21st Century Information & Skills Service is looking for volunteers aged 16 or over to
help children with the Summer Reading Challenge. You’ll need to commit to a minimum of 6 hours
across the summer period, between Saturday 14 July and Saturday 1 September 2018.
This year's theme is Mischief Makers. You’ll have fun and gain new skills - and it’s great for your
CV/University application.
As a volunteer you will help library staff to:
• Approach and encourage families and children in libraries to join the Summer Reading
Challenge
• Register children on to the Summer Reading Challenge
• Carry out administrative tasks including handing out stickers and rewards.
Closing date for applications is Sunday 17 June 2018. For more information please see the Role
Description. You can apply online through http://lovelibrarieswalsall.co.uk/adults/volunteering/
New Reading Rooms cafe opens at Pelsall Book Exchange
The Mayor of Walsall, Cllr Marco Longhi officially opened
the new cafe at the Reading Rooms at the Pelsall Book
Exchange at Pelsall Village Centre. The cafe sells all kinds of
goodies, from cakes and goodies, to tea and coffee...and
you can unwind by reading a book on site!
The Reading Rooms is open from 8.30am to 3pm on
Mondays to Fridays and 9.30am to 12pm on Saturdays.
Recruitment and Selection Best Practice Training
HR will be delivering a 1-day Recruitment & Selection Best Practice Course on Thursday 12th July
from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
By the end of the training delegates will be able to:
Demonstrate a clear understanding of Walsall Council’s Recruitment and Selection
Procedure
Understand the importance of an accurate up to date job description and employee
specification
Understand how the employee specification is used for advertising, short listing,
interviewing and selecting
Understand the key points to follow when conducting an interview
It’s a requirement for recruitment and selection panels to have at least one panel member who has
undertaken the training so this would be an ideal opportunity for managers who intend scheduling
interviews in the near future.
To reserve a place on the Recruitment & Selection Best Practice Course, click here. For further
information please email: recruitment@walsall.gov.uk
Confidential waste disposal in the civic centre
As detailed in last week’s edition, we’re trialling a
new way of managing our day-to-day confidential
waste.
For the next 3 months, staff are advised to
dispose of their confidential waste into the
securely locked bins instead of the shredders.
You’ll find a bin in each of the business centres
which are emptied weekly. Spares are available
for business centres with the largest demand.
Please use them for standard day-to-day
confidential waste only. For disposal of larger
amounts ‘one off’ collections can be arranged
through the office moves team, there are options
for different capacity bins to suit requirements.
The company we are using are BS EN15713:2009
shredding standard accredited, so you can be
confident that the service will be of the very
highest standard. Further information can be
found here. Please contact
Officemoves@walsall.gov.uk to arrange for bulk disposal.
Anyone for (Table) Tennis... Challenge your colleagues to a game!
Table Tennis is now available for all
staff to play on the roof terrace of the
2nd floor garden at the Civic Centre.
Help yourself to bats and balls which
are stored in the box alongside the
table. Please make sure you return
equipment to the box after use for
other colleagues to enjoy.
Mobile Table Tennis sets are due to be
made available in other council venues,
including at the Brownhills depot and
the Education Development Centre.
The equipment has been funded through Sport England’s Community Sport Activation fund. Funding
is part of a wider programme, co-ordinated and delivered by Sport and Leisure, to increase
participation in a range of sports. This includes making sports available in different locations across
Walsall including schools and workplaces.
Provision of table tennis is a further development in the Council’s Healthy Workplace Offer for staff.
Other recently introduced initiatives have included a set of pool bikes for staff, yoga classes, mental
health first aid training, flu vaccinations and health assessment events plus many more.
For more information please call Public Health on 01922 658073.
Free Advice & Counselling for 24/7
Lifestylesupport is an employee assistance programme for
all Walsall Council employees.
Provided by Care First, this is a free 24 hours a day,
independent and confidential service, which can help
you with any personal, work or family issue you may face.
You can talk to highly qualified & professionally trained
counsellors about anything that is on your mind including
Family matters, Consumer rights, Elder care, Health
issues, Loss/bereavement, Childcare, Depression & Anxiety and Employee support
Please call 0808 168 2143 (Freephone – available 24/7) or 0800 174 319 (Minicom).
Please also visit Care First Lifestyle and enter the following login details; Username: walsall
& Password: employee
Central Post Room Reminders
The Central Post Room team have issued the following
reminders
All external mail must be posted 2nd class.
1st class mail should only be used if there is a business
time critical need or specific legislation applies. This needs to be
clearly marked in the top-left hand corner of your item.
Do not write anything on the right-hand side of
envelopes.
Personal items of post can be sent out via the Central
Post Room providing you have applied the right postal stamp
and they must comply with Royal Mail’s Pricing in Proportion size categories. (Please remember
if you don’t apply the correct postage stamp, the addressee will incur a minimum surcharge of
£1.50 to receive the item).
Postal services will not frank personal mail.
If the identity of the sender for personal items cannot be identified the item will be kept for 2
weeks and then disposed of.
If you wish to discuss the above in more detail, please contact the Central Post Room on x4530.
Training and Development
Upcoming Learning & Development Courses: Places still available
Course title Date
Workshop Delivery Skills session 25/09/2018
http://www.walsallsocialcareworkforce.co.uk/training-course/305
For a full list of courses available, please visit the Learning & Development Intranet page
Engineering Apprenticeships Event Walsall Works will be running an apprenticeships and careers event on Tuesday 19 June from 2pm at Walsall Council House. The event will be focusing on employment in Aerospace, Automotive, Chemical, Environmental and Civil Engineering roles. People will have the opportunity to meet directly with providers offering quality apprenticeships, get into an in-demand career with good earnings, gain skills to make them employable in different sectors and get a professionally register trade, whilst learning the skills of the future. For more information and to book a place, please email walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk or call 01922 654353. Prince’s Trust: The Chance of a Lifetime Programme The Prince’s Trust Team Programme is offering 16 – 25 year olds the chance to join a 12 week programme including work placements, local community projects and action packed outdoor activities. This will also give those the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and gain some qualifications. The next team starts on Monday 25th June. To find out more please call / text Sarah on 0774 114 0366 or email bournes@wolvcoll.ac.uk For more information please click here. Education Volunteers needed: South Staffs Waters South Staffs Water is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to educate local schools about the wonderful world of water, through our range of assemblies and workshops. As an Education Volunteer, you will lead or assist in the delivery of the assemblies and workshops to schools. These fun, engaging, hands-on sessions are linked to a range of National Curriculum subjects, including Science, Literacy and Geography. The sessions are designed for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, with activities that can be tailored to suit different ages and abilities. If you have previous experience in delivering educational activities, an enthusiasm for education and can spare a couple of hours a week during term-time, South Staffs Water would be more than happy to hear from you. Please contact their HR department by emailing: martinjones@south-staffs-water.co.uk or call 01922 638282.
Endless Possibilities: Care Leaver pre Apprenticeship Programme
Calling all Managers we are looking for work experience
placements for our Care Leavers with view to them progressing
onto an Apprenticeship. We also have grants available via Walsall
Works to support wage costs if you can ringfence a vacancy and
support a Care Leaver. We have Care Leavers ready and waiting!
Please contact Helena Baxter for more information
Helena.baxter@walsall.gov.uk or 07767615214.
Walsall Works Job Club
Job Club is held every Wednesday from 2-4pm at
Walsall Council House Library, Lichfield Street, Walsall.
Please share with your contacts and networks where
appropriate. To find out more about Job Club, visit the
Walsall Works website www.walsallworks.com
Job Club is open to all Walsall residents but participants do need to book a place in advance of
attending. Contact the team on 01922 654353 or email walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk
Events and Opportunities
Take a look at what’s coming up at Forest Art
See what’s on at the New Art Gallery: Centre:
http://thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk/whats-on/ http://www.forestartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/
Community Events
Get Super This Summer: Festival & Fun Run
A family Super Hero themed Fun Run and Sports
Festival will be taking place at Walsall Arboretum on
Sunday 1st July, from 10:30am to 2:30pm.
Entry for the Sports Festival is free. Entry costs for the
2K Fun Run are £6 for adults, £3 for under 16’s and
free for under 3’s.
The run starts at 11:30am (with a warm-up at 11:15).
All participates must register in advance (click here to
book) and numbers must be worn on the run to
receive a medal at the end. Numbers can be collected
from 10:30am on the day from the registration tent.
Please bring along your registration email or have a
copy on your mobile phone.
For more information please call 01922 444 044 or
email jack.rubery@mytimeactive.co.uk For further
details go to One You Walsall’s Website, Facebook
page or Twitter account.Celebrate the Festival of Learning at Walsall College
Tuesday 19 – Friday 22 June 2018 (10am to
1pm)
Held at the College’s Hawbush and Whitehall
Campuses.
Register your attendance at
http://www.walsallcollege.ac.uk/festivalofle
arning or drop-in to any of the sessions.
See flyer for more details.
The Walsall Run 2018
The annual Walsall Run (organised by Walsall Rotary Club)
will be returning to Walsall Arboretum Extension on
Sunday 23rd September.
The event will include a 10k and 5k run, plus a 3k walk – all
starting at 11am. All those taking part will need to register
from 9am. The mixed terrain includes parkland, rural and
Prizes are awarded for individual and team winners, as well
as best fancy dress, plus every entrant will receive a
commemorative medal!
To find out prices and register your place please click here
(deadline: 14th September).
For more information please call 0787 085 1006 or go to the
Walsall Run website.
Back to Netball sessions
As part of the national ‘Back to Netball’
campaign, Netball sessions will be held at
Streetly Spots & Community Association
every Thursday. The classes run from 8
to 9pm and cost £3.50 each session.These classes will provide women of all ages a gentle re-introduction to the sport. The sessions cover
the basics of the game including passing, footwork and shooting, plus finish with a friendly game to
put the skills you have learnt into practice.
For more information please call Carol Kitchen on 0787 240 7214 or email
carol.kitchen@englandnetball.co.uk
Staff Discounts
Summer Gym Deal
Walsall Leisure is now offering a 12 week Summer Deal for
just £50 to use at all 4 leisure centres (Bloxwich, Darlaston,
Oak Park & Walsall Gala).
You will need to make your purchase before Saturday 30th
June 2018 and payment will be required upfront.
For more information please email
LeisureAdmin@walsall.gov.uk or call 01922 658080. For terms
and conditions please click here.
To find out more about Walsall Leisure please go to the
Facebook page and Twitter & Instagram accounts.
Discounted Theatre Tickets
Ladies’ Day: 26 July 2018
Centre stalls, Rows B-D at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre –
£10.00 each
Matilda: 1 August 2018
Front centre stalls at Birmingham Hippodrome - £52.50 each
Jersey Boys: 4 September 2018
Centre Stalls row J & K at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - £45.50 each
Motown The Musical: 18 October 2018
Front dress circle seats at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre – £44.00 each
The Whitney Houston Show: 28 October 2018
Centre Stalls Rows J & K at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre – £29.50 each
Sleeping Beauty Panto: 11 December 2018
Centre Stalls at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - £17.00 each
*(LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS LEFT)
Doctor Dolittle: Thursday 7 February 2019
Centre Stalls Rows G, H & J at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre – £40.50 each
The Bodyguard: 3 July 2019
Centre Stalls Rows J & K at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre – £47.50 eachFor further details or to reserve tickets, please email Jennie.collier@walsall.gov.uk or
stuart.wootton@walsall.gov.uk
Staff News
We made it! Walsall Council has true pedal power
Well done to all of you who took part in ‘Cycle to Work Day’ (today 15th June)
We had a great turn out of over 35 cyclists from across the Council, Police and Fire Services. Many of
you arrived early via the Arboretum and even had enough puff to go round the park for a few more
laps.
Others took more leisurely planned routes via some beautiful West Midlands canals and countryside
before meeting outside the Council Building for the 8.45am photo call. Thanks to your efforts you’ve
really helped put Bike Week and Cycle to Work Day here on the map in Walsall. In keeping with the
day ‘Dr Bike’ was just outside the Civic Building on Darwall Street offering free bike checks and
cycling safety advice to staff and passer’s by.Dr Barbara Watt, Director for Public
Health at Walsall Council said: “I was
delighted with the turn out and ‘can
do’ spirit of all the cyclists who took
part this morning. Some cycled in to
work in groups, others half biked,
pushing and pacing themselves and
one intrepid cyclist travelled 25 miles
across two counties to start his
working day.”
Well done to all of you who got to the Civic Building
for 8.45am too - a job well done and all before you’d
even clocked in. Bike Week is just the start of the of
the journey - building cycling into your lifestyle is the
further destination.”
Information on Bike Week 2018 can be found at
bikeweek.org.uk and on www.facebook.com/CyclingUK and twitter.com/WeAreCyclingUK
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