LAYING It’s been great to have a quiet week
WITH DIVISIONAL COMMANDER CHIEF SUPT GORDON CROSSAN
I am delighted to report that the past week, while busy, did not present any significant challenges requiring public appeals or briefings for Express readers.
This is a “first” since I took up post here in September 2017, and very much welcomed.
Reflecting on this past week, I realise just how hard the team have been working for the past year and they very much needed and deserved this reduction in demand to catch up on investigations, paperwork or even get a full refreshment break – an uncommon occurrence.
Last week, meanwhile, I had the pleasure of hosting Local Senior Officer Graeme Binning of the
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to my morning briefing for the whole division.
It was an opportunity for some shared learning around how we brief as well as deal with demands based on threat, risk and harm.
Graeme and I are committed to developing collaborative working practices across Renfrewshire and are currently piloting a multi-agency leadership course from a range of partners, including the private and voluntary sectors.
As budgets are squeezed and demands increase we need to constantly review how we operate, looking for new and innovative ways of delivering services as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Part of this course includes a full day table top exercise where delegates will be tested on their ethical decision making, partnership working and decision making and a few other skills also.
The Chief Officer Public Protection Group Officers will also be in attendance, testing our strategic responses and collaborative practices.
The course is aimed at developing our people to work with communities and partners to overcome challenges.
Provost Lorraine Cameron tweeted late last year, praising the excellent partnership working taking place throughout Renfrewshire. I support her comments through my own experiences where I see our partners across the local authority area working extremely hard to review policies and practices, removing duplication, sharing services and generally working closer together to produce the best possible service for our communities.
Just last week I met with Graeme Binning as outlined, then I met with Renfrewshire Council chief executive Sandra Black and two of her senior management team talking through local issues at a tactical and strategic level.
I am extremely grateful for the strong relationships we have in this area, ones based on trust and honesty where issues are raised, discussed and worked through together.
This can only benefit our communities.
Lastly, we have recently had a number of newly-promoted Inspectors from within and outwith the division and, on behalf of the senior management team, I wish them all well in their new roles and hope they enjoy their time working in the division doing a challenging job.
We also have some of our Chief Inspectors sitting promotion boards for the rank of Superintendent and again, I wish them all the best of luck. It’s a nervous time for them.