North Eastern

Chair - Joanne Machers
Tel: 01429 523003
Email: joanne.machers@hartlepool.gov.uk

Secretary - Jill Rouse
Tel: 0191 261 3970
Email: jrouse@nereo.gov.uk

Annual Reports

Developing the profile and services to members of PPMA has been the major focus for the north east region in the last 12 months.

At the North East region’s AGM in September it was agreed to establish three Vice-Chair positions to provide extra capacity within the region. A Regional Committee has been established of Chair, three Vice-Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer to review the Region’s current offer to members, plan an annual programme of meetings and events, update regional webpages on the PPMA website, etc. The Vice-Chairs have personal responsibilities in the following areas:

• membership support;
• events;
• national workgroup liaison

As part of the AGM an open workshop was delivered on models of service delivery. The workshop was based around three presentations from South Tyneside, Stockton/ Darlington Councils partnership and Cumbria County Council. Although there was a small audience the information was well received and there was useful feedback and a networking lunch afterwards.

This year saw the conclusion of the ‘HR Future Leaders Programme’ launched in 2007 with over £100,000 of funding from the LSC. Over 20 participants have experienced action learning, 360º appraisal, ‘strategic’ HR learning events and a transformational leadership programme. Since the programme ended, formal evaluation has been undertaken and proposals are being developed for a new programme.

PPMA Members enjoyed another highly successful Northern Personnel Briefing (NPB) in Harrogate. This was the event’s 10th anniversary with over 150 colleagues from the north east, north west and Yorkshire & Humberside regions attending. The three regions sponsored delegate bags again this year and Stephen Moir opened the event and chaired the afternoon session. Additionally PPMA held a free pre-event session on the topic of “Transforming HR: Play your part” for over 40 delegates.

In January a regional e-recruitment project was launched after almost 3 years of planning. All 25 local authorities and 4 Fire and Rescue Services in the north east are committed to the project with interest from a number of other public sector organisations in the region. PPMA NE has been heavily involved in the inception of this project.

In early February 2009 Heads of HR from the north east and Yorkshire & Humberside regions attended a part-PPMA sponsored annual 24-hour residential event in York. This was hugely successful again with excellent speakers and plenty of opportunity to ‘network’.

It is with regret that I report that in April 2009 the PPMA north east region will lose some of its more experienced and supportive members when the region reduces from 25 local authorities to 12 due mainly to local government reorganisation. We wish our PPMA colleagues the very best of health and happiness for the future.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my north east PPMA colleagues, and in particular my long-standing Vice-Chair, Christina Lattimer and new Vice Chairs, Julia Spittal and Peter Fanning for their support during the year.

March 2009