Excellent progress - with vision

摘要

The artist Picasso claimed 'action is the key to all success' but, in the moments following their 'weak' CPA rating, motivational quotes were the last thing on peoples' minds at North East Derbyshire DC. However, soon after, having regained their footing, the staff took action and went from weak to 'excellent' in just four years. Chief executive, Prof Lee Adams, says two things were key to the council's recovery. She explains: 'Leading from the front and having a vision were the most important things.' Now rated excellent by the CPA, the council knows what success feels like. But four years ago, it was a very different story. Deputy chief executive, Mike Goodwin, had weathered many storms during his 34-year career with the council, but nothing could have prepared him, or his staff, for the blow of the weak rating. He says: "The inspection was quite a reality check. The staff were disappointed - and lost motivation. 'The first positive thing we did was put customers right at the heart of our improvements. We took the challenge of the 73 e-government targets by the scruff of the neck, put in the investment and achieved all of them.'