KCC Catalogue of Innovations

Welcome to the second edition of the KCC Catalogue of Innovations. It showcases the most recent innovative projects and practices from across the organisation.

Welcome to the second edition of the KCC Catalogue of Innovations. It showcases the most recent innovative projects and practices from across the organisation. Read on and see how colleagues have turned creative ideas into successful innovations to respond to the constantly changing needs and expectations of our customers.

Welcome to the second edition of the KCC Catalogue of Innovations. It showcases the most recent innovative projects and practices from across the organisation. Read on and see how colleagues have turned creative ideas into successful innovations to respond to the constantly changing needs and expectations of our customers. If you would like to see innovations featured in previous editions and join its community of practice, click or need help click

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Introduction

20 For 12 Working through “School Clusters”, the programme to engage every school in the Olympics and Paralympics 'magic dust' is being used for a new approach to joint working as part of a major event of international scale – the 2012 Olympics. 20 for 12 will be a framework enabling each cluster to develop and celebrate 20 activities each academic year that relate to the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games on our doorstep; cutting right across the curriculum, sport and assemblies. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Danny O’Donovan “ engage every school in the Olympics and Paralympics ‘magic dust’”

Activity Based Mapping The mapping responds to the challenge set out in the Local Government White Paper for Sustainable Community Strategies to "have regard to all plans and strategies in their area". It highlights how partnership plans, projects and policies around the county support the delivery of long term aspirations in the Vision for Kent (V4K). This activity based mapping is an innovative way of benchmarking current performance, identifying shared priorities for policy making and capturing partnership working to support our CPA. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Elizabeth Sanderson “ enables partners to see how their area of work influences the outcomes in V4K”

Alcohol Awareness Campaign This is a campaign involving young people to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol, through dance, music and role play. A team of Community Wardens working in their own communities in Thanet and Canterbury engaged with young people with the aid of a local “rap company" called Pie Factory. This company encouraged youngsters to write and record songs, dance and role play their messages. This culminated in a competition to find the best performance along with a poster contest . Both were open to all the young people . ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Marilyn Howell “ gives everyone understanding of the dangers of alcohol”

Ask a Kent Librarian This service has been designed to act as an information support mechanism for library staff as well as to service users. It allows you to have your questions answered by a specialist team if you are unable to visit your local library. It promises to answer or acknowledge queries within 48 hours and operate the service directly by phone, fax, mail, web form and email six days a week. The chat service is available at all hours. Librarians across the country staff the national service 2-3 half days a month on a rota and out of hours coverage is provided by a group of specialist librarians in the United States. KCC was the first local authority in the country to provide a 24/7 local service. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Christel Pobgee “ first in the country to provide a 24/7 local service”

Coral Ingleton Aspire This is a programme providing personal leadership and development designed to develop black and minority ethnic (BME) staff, a first in KCC. The purpose of Aspire is to enable delegates to enhance and deploy their skills and experience to realise their full potential in the organisation and hopefully enable staff to successfully attain more senior posts. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ help develop and motivate staff throughout the organisation”

Kent Scientific Services Automated reporting Many of the Kent Scientific Services’ (KSS) clients request their reports emailed to them to cut down on paper and support their electronic storage aims. KSS specified and commissioned software to interrogate their database to identify completed work from clients wanting e-mailed reports and whether the work was classed as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The reports file is checked and the latest report relating for that item of work is e-mailed automatically to the client. An audit trail is left on our system. After testing is complete the reports are automatically generated from our file server. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ can cope with any number of clients and reports”

Bereavement Booklet This booklet is designed to help the bereaved. Working in conjunction with the Library Service and Kent Adult Services the ‘Bereavement Booklet’ provides help and assistance at what is a very stressful time. The booklet is being produced free of charge by Kent Regional Newspapers and will be distributed via the Registration Service, Libraries and Hospitals. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Martin Alford “ provides a starting point for helping people through the bereavement journey”

Mark Pritchard Bird Box Scheme A new ‘Bird Box’ scheme was initiated by Medway Valley Countryside Partnership in conjunction with local councillors . The aim of the scheme is to encourage the wider local community to put up bird boxes through Maidstone at sites owned by the local council (in phase I) and then more widely (phase II). This scheme will start in autumn 2007. It is hoped that the scheme will help to promote bio-diversity and support wildlife in the urban context. Remember, wildlife is not confined to the countryside - it can thrive in urban areas if people allow it the necessary space. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ initiated in conjunction with local councillors to engage the wider local community”

Christel Pobgee Books Can Help Throughout libraries across Kent there are collections of books to support readers with emotional health issues . Titles cover coping with/recovering from depression, anxiety, phobias, managing anger etc and can be booked out for up to six weeks. The various books have been nominated by health professionals and can be prescribed for patients/clients who bring in a simple referral form to the library. ‘ Books can Help’ is promoted through partners in Primary Care Trusts and to independent counsellors through leaflets and posters. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ provides self help support for patients to supplement interventions by health”

Bookstart This is a national programme that provides all young children and their families with free packs of books plus tips and ideas for parents on how to enjoy sharing books together. It has a proven track record with Early Years, Health and the library service working together to improve outcomes for children and their families. The objective is to increase the number of families who received the first pack and looked for a new way to do this. Now, 98% of babies and their parents in Kent receive packs that promote the importance of literacy and the enjoyment of books at the earliest age. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Karen Sillifant “ tips and ideas for parents on how to enjoy sharing books together”

CaRA & Family Announcements The Ceremonies and Registration Appointments (CaRA) brings together a number of initiatives to modernise and improve the delivery of services to the public and drive up the efficiency of internal registrations processes. Members of the public registering births and deaths or arranging marriages and civil partnership ceremonies often wish to make a public announcement but do not do so because they do not know where to go or how to start. In response to this the Registration Service, in conjunction with Kent On Sunday, has also introduced an online service whereby family announcements can be made as part of the visit to the register office. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Martin Alford “ to modernise and improve the delivery of services to the public”

Kevin Day/Richard Spoerry Charlton in the Community This scheme has been initiated to use football and the “Charlton Athletic” brand as a catalyst to support wider agendas in the County around community safety and education in particular. The main purpose was initially to engage disaffected young people who were either not reaching educational attainment levels or were involved in anti-social behaviour and to try to improve their attainment levels and/or behaviour. There is now the potential for other services such as Kent Police, Kent Fire & Rescue, Youth Services, Community Wardens, Drugs Awareness and Action Teams and District Councils to work with CAFC coaches and staff to promote their services and deliver their programmes. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ 99% reduction in vandalism since the CAFC scheme has started here”

Civil Funeral Celebrants Following consultation with funeral directors and the bereaved , the Kent Registration service developed ,and is now providing, a range of civil (secular) ceremonies which provide bereaved relatives with an alternative to a religious ceremony. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Martin Alford “ providing the bereaved with alternative options”

Coaching & Mentoring Strategy This strategy was initiated by Learning and Development and developed in order to encourage a culture of ‘manager as coach’ within the organisation. This will help develop and motivate staff throughout the organisation. Since the initial strategy was devised many staff throughout the organisation have undertaken the’ Professional Coaching and Mentoring’ diploma. Once qualified they join a group led by Learning and Development which offers coaching and mentoring support to anyone within the organisation at no charge to the recipient. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Coral Ingleton “ help develop and motivate staff throughout the organisation”

Noel Hatch Communities of Practice ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ turn innovative ideas and skills into customer focused solutions”

Mark Lemon Comparative Deprivation Index The Comparison of Public Health (COSPH) project involving South East England and Northern France is an “innovation first”. It involves devising an internationally comparative index of deprivation . This enables deprivation and disadvantage to be compared across national borders. In addition, an index of market concentration is deployed to analyse the use of hospital and health care facilities by the local population. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ enables deprivation and disadvantage to be compared across national borders”

George Kearns CRB On Line System Having developed a database system for recording and processing Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) Disclosure applications, KCC was looking to reduce the amount of errors and omissions on hand written applications. Having previously worked with a company who had developed an on-line application form with inbuilt validation, KCC continued to further enhance the system with them to meet the needs of schools. Individuals can now complete their application in the school, allowing the ID to be confirmed in one process. The schools are then able to monitor the progress of each application step by step and if needs be, the applicants or the CRB can be chased if delays occur. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ making children safer in schools’”

Document Management The IDOX paperless document management system is a process Personnel uses to help manage work flow and ensure that documents are traceable throughout their existence, working towards the ideal of a paperless working environment. The project was initiated with the aim of replacing the increasing amount of space taken up by files. However, as it developed, the ability to make use of electronic workflow became a key deliverable. The purpose is to move to a regulated, manageable work flow, as paperless as possible, ensuring prompt file creation and easy and secure access to employee data, as well as simply the creation of more space for working rather than filing. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Richard Vince “ working towards the ideal of a paperless working environment”

Susan Pledger “ mutually beneficial to both county and districts” East Kent Property Initiative There are around 4,300 long-term empty properties in the four districts of Thanet, Dover, Shepway and Swale. The resources available to tackle long term empty properties used to vary across the districts. Based on these statistics a project was developed to increase the number of empty properties returned to use as good quality housing accommodation. This has been used for an empty property loan scheme partnership fund, funding and support for districts in their enforcement work and a direct purchase scheme. These schemes allow the districts to offer improved incentives to encourage owners to bring their empty properties back into use, or where owners are uncooperative to take formal action to secure the re-use of empty properties. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

St John Harvey Electronic trading environment Kent County Council's trading division - Commercial Services – has made an “innovation first” in the public sector to establish a fully automated electronic trading environment in the supply chain between itself and its customers and partners at no added cost to the customer. With the ever-growing need for greater efficiencies and improved customer service across the public sector, Commercial Services is proud to be taking a leading and innovative stance in the critical area of procurement fulfilment. ,[object Object],[object Object],“ taking a lead and innovative stance in the critical area of procurement fulfilment”

Employee Self Service Pilot It is a ‘front end’ service that allows staff to view and action information held about themselves that enables employees/managers to perform actions they are responsible for and view information they are authorised to view. It was developed to enable KCC to transform and streamline its end-to-end HR and payroll processes. KCC aims to provide managers with more timely and accurate information about their staff, speed up end to end personnel/payroll processes, ensure that the solution mirrors the way managers work ‘trigger’ actions and provide policy guidance to managers and HR staff, make physical location of staff and managers less important, dramatically reduce paper flow within the organisation and provide an environment that fits in with the new world of work which is attractive to current and future staff. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Karen Hughes “ empower decision making for managers*”

Steve Rees Enterprise/Innovation Centres ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ *making Kent and regional business more competitive, viable and more sustainable”

Jacqui Ward Evolve Project This project was created to research, test and implement a range of innovative approaches in building the confidence, self esteem and aspirations of disadvantaged adults in order to help them towards taking control of their lives. It is a county council initiative funded by the EU and is developing programmes for individuals including people from BME (black minority ethnic) communities, lone parents, those with learning and physical disabilities, young people and people recovering from mental illness. Evolve focuses on the most deprived districts and promotes employability of disadvantaged groups through three types of services: vocational training; mentoring; advice and guidance. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ innovative approaches in building the confidence, self esteem and aspirations”

Empowering staff to respond to customer needs Kent Libraries and Archives (L&A) is developing a new organisational culture to enable the Service to respond better to individual customers. It is encouraging all staff to use their discretion in responding to customers, with the bias towards doing what meets the need of that customer, whether or not it is accepted practice. Staff are encouraged to ask themselves the basic question “what’s the worst that can happen if I give the customer what they want or need?” If this basic risk assessment suggests that the worst is not very bad (and this is the usual answer), then staff are encouraged to deliver the service needed. Culture change is a long term project, so KLA cannot claim to have resolved all the issues described above. However, by celebrating successes which result from these new approaches, and by ensuring that managers “walk the talk” through back to the floor sessions and in forums developed to ensure that all managers have regular face to face contact with front of house staff, KLA is confident that it is moving in the right direction. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Cath Anley “ all staff are encouraged to prioritise customer need over the need to follow accepted procedures”

Christel Pobgee This is a Careers and Guidance online resource often used in secondary schools, colleges and Connexions centres. It is primarily aimed at young people aged 14 to 19 but can also be useful to adults looking for a career change. A series of interactive questionnaires provides an assessment of strengths, learning abilities, likes and dislikes and the resource then suggests potential careers and related courses. The service is free to use and available online in all Kent Libraries. Availability of the service is the result of a successful joint bid from Kent Libraries and Connexions Kent and Medway. Fast Tomato ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ an alternative means of access to information that is fun and easy to use”

Fastrack This is one of the most innovative transport schemes yet seen in the country. It is a new rapid transit system that will link Dartford, Gravesend, Bluewater and new developments at Ebbsfleet and Eastern Quarry by 2008. It is the first service of its type outside a major conurbation and is being built and operated ahead of demand to ensure good public transport as the 30,000 new homes and 50,000 new jobs are provided over the next 20+ years. It has been the recipient of several awards, from a Transport Times 2007 Award, ICE Brassey Award 2006 for an outstanding example of a civil engineering project, and a "Certificate of Excellence" from an Interreg funded project to enhance access to stations on the European high speed train network. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],John Turner “ an exciting and innovative approach in delivering a UK showcase bus project”

Hilary Alford Gap Year Programme This programme targets and finds employment for students taking a gap year, whether they have just finished their A levels or are taking a year in industry during or after their degree. Never before had there been a programme for gap year students in the organisation. It was initiated by KCC councillors as part of 'The Next Four Years’ targets to address the skills shortage of our growing economy. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ highlights the skills and talents of our county’s brightest young people”

"GEMS" Energy Management As well as providing a comprehensive energy procurement service, LASER has become recognised in its field for providing best-in-class energy management services. The mainstay of this is GEMS, an innovative energy management system developed in-house. Suppliers invoice centrally using fast and efficient computer-to-computer links interfacing with GEMS, eliminating paper bills. All elements of the bills are checked, ensuring efficient and consistent invoicing to the customer. Queries are managed with actions recorded on the system. Crucially, the centrally-held consumption data forms the basis for the preparation of tender schedules ensuring members have a valid contract available at renewal. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],St John Harvey “ recognised in its field for providing best-in-class energy management services”

David West Geocaching Geocaching is a countryside treasure hunt involving the use of handheld GPS receivers. Geocachers hide 'caches' - usually waterproof boxes filled with inexpensive treasures and a log book - in locations across the countryside. Once hidden the GPS coordinates of the 'cache' are published on a website for others to view. Other geocachers can use these coordinates and any clues provided to locate the hidden treasure. The finder is welcome to take an item from the cache as well as fill in the logbook to record their find. The development of this idea was carried out in conjunction with a volunteer. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ a fun new activity that has proved very popular with the public”

Greening the Gateway This is a pan-north Kent approach to providing a strategic framework for green spaces, sustainable access and wildlife corridors throughout the Growth Area and beyond. The idea is to provide a 'green print' for the north Kent Thames Gateway; to provide an environmental uplift and improve the area's image, providing a legacy. The initiative has been developed by Kent County Council in partnership with all the north Kent local authorities and Regeneration Boards and other public and voluntary sector organisations. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Val Hyland “ bringing people together to tackle local projects and big issues, adding real value”

Green Screen Filming Green screen or sometimes blue screen is a common reference to a television production process known as chroma key or keying. The technique is to select a colour, the chroma key and remove this from one image to reveal another image 'behind' it. By placing the presenter in front of the green screen the image processing software is instructed to remove any object with a particular colour -the green screen - and replace this with a new image. Commonly the weather presenter are superimposed on top of an electronic image of the weather map. An example can be found here on Kent County Councils web site , where pages are described using British Sign Language. The signer is superimposed over an electronic blue colour chosen to help make the signing stand out. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Glyn Davies “ a new way of communication both for internal staff and the public”

GSM Picocell This is a very small mobile phone cell, such as the ones seen alongside the motorway. A Picocell is limited in range to say a sports hall or Airport passenger lounge. It uses the Internet to connect the call to the public phone service. Using this special cell it is possible to treat your mobile phone like a cordless phone with normal landline call rates but with the convenience of your mobile phone contacts database. Femtocell is a smaller version of the Picocell, designed for home use in conjunction with a broadband connection. Here it will be possible to add flexibility to home workers. KCC is working with partners to set-up a small scale trial of this technology to gain real world experience, and project expected call cost savings. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Glyn Davies “ reduce phone charges from mobile phones used by staff in the workplace”

Headspace Book Bars is a new type of place where young people can chill out, access their favourite books and magazines and be served by ‘Book Waiters’, who will bring them a cappuccino and a book of their choice! Kent’s Book Bar, called Headspace, will be located in Folkestone’s CafeIT from September 2007, and will be one of 20 Book Bars established around the country over the next three years. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Janet Davies/Steve Chambers “ young people will be in the driving seat”

Higher Education Compact ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Pat Keeler “ prepare students to…make a successful transition to university life”

Sarah Dance “ How to” Cultural Toolkit In response to London winning the Games, the University of Kent at Canterbury established a new post graduate course entitled Creative Events. Using students from this course, the University will work with four pilot communities beginning in January 2008, providing creative, practical and entrepreneurial input to support local cultural activity (cultural in its broadest sense) from the grassroots. In the run up to January 2008, the students are pulling together “how to stage an event” practical toolkits from across the country, to then shape a “Best Of” toolkit, whilst KCC are pulling together names of those individuals and organisations across the county who local event organisers are likely to need to speak with. ,[object Object],[object Object],“ *leave a legacy of skills and know how in the communities”

Graham Cox HR Business Intelligence This is a central information hub that allows quick and easy access to staffing information statistics. These are presented in an interactive ‘dashboard’ system that displays animated graphs and information in just a few clicks. KCC wanted to move away from presenting tables of figures which are daunting to most and provide easily understood information that was both visually pleasing and easily manipulated. Our main rationale was to provide a central source of staffing information to ensure that in future all staff have access to the same figures, for example this would prevent potentially awkward situations where two members of staff arrive at a meeting quoting different figures for the same subject. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ allows direct comparisons between different areas of the organisation”

Inside Out Do you need a reliable plumber, decorator, carpenter, electrician or other build-maintain-repair trades person? Not sure where to find one that you can trust to do a great job at competitive rates? Look no further than Inside Out - the latest innovation within Commercial Services - the trading arm of KCC. Inside Out has been launched to fill a gap in the market for professional trades people who are rigorously vetted, who strike a balance between a quality job that's finished on time and in full and a competitive price. All services provided to both public and private sector customers, are fully guaranteed and reachable on one low-cost central booking number (0845 094 6363). ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],St John Harvey “ best practice and efficiencies shared with our customers”

Kent & Medway Learning Network The EU project, Laying the Foundations is focused on creating a learning network structure in Kent and Medway to strengthen co-ordination and delivery of learning, enhance capacity and align and lever in resources. It contributes to the Action for Communities initiative which aims to maximise opportunities for adults to learn in their communities and to make best use of all available resources to support them, prioritising public funding to those needing it most. The network will build on existing networks across the county, develop new ones where there are gaps and provide a tool to support network activity to improve inclusiveness and equality of opportunity for all network members. The heart of the project is to improve opportunities for adults to learn in their communities. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Caroline Polley “ maximise opportunities for adults to learn in their communities”

Kent Bus Tracking System The system has been developed on a countywide basis over the last ten years providing information on bus services at over one hundred stops. Buses are fitted with global position system (GPS) equipment and radios to report their position to a central computer in the Kent Highway Services Traffic Management Centre. Buses operating on a variety of local bus services within the county can be seen via a link from the Kent Traffic & Travel website, also shown is a selection of virtual signs showing departures from stops. The system has recently been enhanced to underpin Fastrack services A and B allowing predictions at the beginning of journeys as well as stops along the route. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],David Batchelor “ reducing waiting times at stops and improving overall journey times*”

Peter Welsh/James Parris Kent Crime View Kent Crimeview is geographic information system (GIS) based and has functionality based upon the latest mapping and web based technology. It was developed within the Analysis and Information Team and this case study has been updated since the first edition of the Catalogue of Innovations. The product is designed to offer a solution to the sharing of crime and community data across partners who are engaged with Crime Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs). Crimeview brings together partnership data in one place and enables data to be accessed, researched and mapped by all partners. The product is designed to deliver the requirements for data sharing included within the Police and Justice Act 2006 and related CDRP Reform national standards. ,[object Object],[object Object],“ enable the various partners involved with crime reduction to share data*”

Caroline Polley/Emma Warren Kent Learning Champions The scheme recruits local successful learners from their communities to train to become volunteer ambassadors or "champions" of learning. It was developed to act as model to raise aspiration - particularly in parts of Kent where aspiration and skills levels are low - and to increase take up of learning opportunities. It voices the learning needs of the community and provides a network within local groups, schools, voluntary and community organisations. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ local people recruit other local people to learning, increasing take up”

Liz Craven Kent Rural Delivery Framework The first multi agency rural action plan for Kent for all rural stakeholders, initiated to respond to national and regional restructuring of rural delivery. Its purpose has been to set out a new rural agenda, installing an evidence based approach to rural delivery across for Kent by raising understanding and further awareness of the importance of the local rural economy, communities and environment, managing the extensive change that is being experienced across all aspects of Kent’s rural agenda It will also quantify and highlight the inter-regional disparities that exist across the South East’s rural areas and encourage more innovative and entrepreneurial approaches across all aspects of rural delivery. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ encouraging more innovative and entrepreneurial approaches’”

Steve Rees Kent Sustainable Futures A Kent Sustainable Future Industries Strategy will be launched in the autumn - a UK first. Never before has a County evaluated its spatial, skills, R&D and enterprise assets to this intensity to identify centres for market leadership and sector transformation. This is driven by the Kent FORESIGHT network - a programme to drive economic success through smart growth, sector transformation and global competitiveness. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ identify centres for market leadership and sector transformation*”

Kent Top Temps In response to the Freedoms to Trade legislation and to meet the growing need for best value temporary staff provision within KCC, was created one of the first incorporated trading companies within the public sector. Kent Top Temps Ltd was created following a small but successful pilot as a result of an inspirational idea from a member of staff. Initially providing temporary staff in the field of business and administration, it has grown exponentially across a wide cross section of other disciplines and is now into permanent recruitment. Crucially for KCC, as the sole shareholder in the business, all profits are returned to it in the form of an annual dividend which is used to underpin frontline services. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],St John Harvey “ an innovative way of generating new and significant income streams”

Toby Butler Kent Traffic Management KCC has made a commitment to tackle urban congestion and reduce peak journey times throughout the county. A major way of tackling this issue is to provide up-to-date, accurate information about what is happening on the roads. In order to achieve this, Kent Highways Services has developed a state-of-the-art Traffic Management Centre based with links to CCTV cameras and traffic signals across Kent. The Kent Traffic and Travel website, takes live information, in real-time, from the systems that control traffic movement in Kent. It will show you where roadworks are in Maidstone and on Kent’s motorways, show the location of any current congestion ‘hot spots’ and enable you to look at roads through our CCTV cameras that are located at key junctions. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ a major way of tackling urban congestion and reducing peak journey times’”

Pascale Blackburn Kent TV This is a broadband channel aimed at the residents of Kent and those who have an interest in Kent. It is being launched on 21 September with the desire to communicate to the public on a modern platform. Local people and community groups will be able to upload their own video clips to the site, giving air-time to truly local issues. Budding actors, musicians, journalists and presenters living in Kent can also use Kent TV as a springboard to showcase their talents. Programmes will even be available to download as podcasts to listen to on mobile phones, iPods or MP4 players. At the heart of Kent TV lies its ambition to be a true community channel. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ at the heart of Kent TV lies its ambition to be a true community channel”

Toby Butler LED Traffic Signal Head There are over 640 sets of traffic signals controlling junctions and crossings in Kent, using almost 20,000 halogen bulbs! In its drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from energy use, Kent County Council is the first local authority to make a commitment to switch all existing traffic signal light bulbs to low energy light emitting diodes (LEDs). Kent Highway Services has already started on a countywide replacement programme to install the new technology, which will be completed by April 2008. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ reduce carbon dioxide emissions from energy use’”

Library Recruitment Fairs KCC Libraries and Archives wanted to devise a method of meeting candidates and talking to them to see if they were suitable for the post. All applicants were given a 15 minute time slot during which they were shown around library by an existing Customer Service Assistant (CSA) who talked about the work they do. They were also given a customer care questionnaire and asked two simple questions “tell us about something you enjoy doing” and “what made you come along today?” Successful candidates are proving to be excellent CSAs and many have real potential for future promotion. Future fairs will include an element of customer participation. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Jane Setterfield “ tell us about something you enjoy doing?*”

Maidstone Car Club ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Graham Tanner “ for every one Streetcar in operation, an average of six private cars are removed from the road”

Natural East Kent This has been developed by KCC with the East Kent Partnership and east Kent local authorities. NEK has developed as an alternative approach to regeneration in east Kent. NEK aims to use the natural assets of east Kent in terms of its natural (landscape and wildlife) and historic heritage to put the area on the map; to make it a niche market destination for green tourism and sustainable access and transport; to work with, improve and promote the area's natural assets. It also aims to help rural communities and the farming economy to move forward; to future-proof the area from the effects of climate change and be an example of best practice in sustainable development. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Val Hyland “ to future-proof the area from the effects of climate change”

Online Land Managers Pack This is a new partnership project working across the Kent Downs with six Countryside Management Projects to produce an on-line Land Managers Pack. The pack is aimed at new landowners in the Kent Downs providing advice on how best to manage their land for the benefit of wildlife and the landscape. The key to the pack is to provide the starting point with simple advice and further sources of help. The project was developed by the KCC Countryside Management Projects (CMPs) with the Kent Downs AONB team in response to the need from new landowners living on the Downs for simple guidance on countryside management. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Caroline Drewett “ advice on how best to manage the land for the benefit of wildlife and the landscape”

Power to Lead This is a leadership programme designed to bring together people from the public and private sector in Kent. It is a partnership arrangement with Kent Police and came about to meet a gap in the market to foster networking and partnership working across the public and private section. The difference with this programme is that it gets the delegates to look at issues specific to Kent and how the delegates can use their leadership skills to address these issues. The ideas are then taken forward in a series of action learning sets. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Coral Ingleton “ enables issues affecting Kent to be looked at across all sectors”

Richard Vince Recruitment Management The recruitment management system project was initiated as part of the integration of the various HR, payroll and recruitment administration functions into a shared service concept for Employee Services. Areas where efficiency and development could be achieved were identified, both in terms of expediting the existing process and changing it to achieve best practice. The purpose was to: provide a better online experience and encourage people to apply online; improve the administration and reportability of the recruitment function; and integrate the workflow of recruitment into Oracle HR, allowing a full 'cradle to grave' process. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ supporting KCC’s commitment to the shared services initiative”

Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope The building housing a newly refurbished library, museum, gallery, café with “multi purpose space” and a Tourist Information Centre has re-opened. It’s bright, light, open, welcoming and vibrant. Staff are able to engage even more with customers with no formal counter to act as a barrier. Staff have embraced this, along with a willingness to try other new ways of working, not least floor walking to better engage with library visitors. Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance along side community engagement and book promotion. The new gallery is stunning, bright and airy; everything the old one was not! It is now 100% accessible, with upper and lower entrances and exits and disabled parking bays created to enable easy access for all members of our wide Community. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Fiona Dutton “ stimulating lifelong imagination and discovery”

Slivers of Time KCC is working with Slivers-of-Time - a new, innovative way of tackling worklessness at a local level. It is based on the eBay model of an online market place. It automatically matches: Individuals who need to work odd hours around other commitments in their life, and Organisations that need a pool of top-up workers at irregular times (e.g. caterers, retailers, local authorities) It allows very flexible working for both sides. Individuals “sell” their slivers of time to organisations that “buy” them through a website, which is run by a recruitment agency who vets the buyers and sellers and deals with the administration. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Nick Moon “ a new, innovative way of tackling worklessness at a local level”

Emma Barrett SMS Texting for Consultation This project was initiated to develop an innovative way of consulting with young people that are seldom heard. Previous experience has shown that some young people respond more effectively to SMS than other communication methods. This is an experiment to see if SMS texting is a viable two-way communication method which can be used to consult with young people on a range of issues. The pilot will target a group of young people and ask their views on issues that affect them, with a particular focus on accessibility to services. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ an innovative way of consulting with young people that are seldom heard”

Streets for People Today, every new residential and mixed use development represents an opportunity to create good places for people to live. Safety remains a primary consideration, but in the context of a proper understanding of the risks. No longer are designs ‘standards driven’; instead they are the result of collaborative working and careful assessment against a range of criteria. As part of this both the Kent Design Guide and Manual for Streets help build an excellent reputation for new areas of public space. As innovative thinking is put into practice the outcomes are monitored and their soundness is reviewed. Residents’ satisfaction surveys are particularly important. Good and bad practice is shared, raising standards in some, encouraging further innovation among others. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Bob White “ gaining recognition for creative approaches”

Nicola Browne Time 2 Give Time2Give is one of Kent Libraries and Archives’ (KL&A) volunteering programmes. In 2002, KL&A was one of only six library authorities in England to successfully bid for a Department for Culture, Media and Sport scheme to pilot more innovative library based volunteering. The three year project was managed and developed by Community Service Volunteers. It demonstrated the added value volunteering can bring to library services. KL&A acknowledge this value and in 2005 funded a further three years, with the programme re-branded under Time2Give. Time2Give volunteers enhance and enrich library services, adding value through the wide range of skills and experiences they share with KL&A staff, library customers and the public. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ volunteers enhance and enrich library services”

Training Administration Module The Oracle Training Administration Module went live on the 1st April 2007 and will administer all the Chief Executive’s Department central training along with all Kent Adult Social Services training. The self service function is currently being piloted within the Chief Executive's Department. Going forward, this development will allow staff to book on internal courses online via the self service module (*subject to online approval by their manager). ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Serena Cunningham “ will allow staff to book on internal courses online”

Mike Bodkin Two Tier Regeneration LLP This is the establishment of a Limited Liability Partnership between KCC and Thanet District Council (TDC) to pool landholdings and regenerate two key sites in Thanet. Discussions have been held with TDC with a view to creating a single Joint Venture vehicle which pools KCC's landholdings at Manston together with TDC's land at the nearby Eurokent Park. The Joint Venture (JV) will be charged with developing out both sites and thereby driving forward in the regeneration of the Central Island part of Thanet and supporting the growth of Westwood. The JV will not only benefit the people of Thanet and East Kent through jobs and other community benefits but represents an opportunity to generate a long-term revenue stream into both member councils. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ ability to locate end users on the site that most satisfies their needs*”

Toby Butler Variable Message Sign Project The purpose of the roadside Variable Message Signs (VMS) is to provide drivers with timely, relevant and accurate information about the road network. Information gathered by the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) will be used to determine the most appropriate advice to give. All information will also be published on the Kent Traffic & Travel website. There is a programme to install 32 roadside VMS in and around Maidstone in partnership with Medway and the Highways Agency. This will cover the motorways and major routes into Maidstone town centre and take at least two years to implement fully. Phase 1 of the scheme should be completed by October 2007. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ help motorists avoid delays and minimise their journey times’”

Thomas Leahy Viewpoint work with youth Viewpoint is an interactive computer programme now used within Kent Youth Offending Service to gather the views of young people about the service. The research for the service began so that it could allow their hard to reach young people to be involved in positive participation about the service and how it could improve to meet their needs. Its purpose is now to give young people a voice to help instigate new ideas and essential improvements within the service. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ give young people a voice to help instigate new ideas and essential improvements”

Stephanie Holt Young Storytellers Kent County Council and Screen South have commissioned a project to work with three groups of young people from across the County to join an on-line international community of young story tellers by creating Kent's stories of what the London Olympics and Paralympics 2012 mean to a young person in Kent. Joining 280 young media producers world-wide, the Kent films will be premiered at Cineworld Ashford in Autumn 2007, to allow the young people, friends and family to see their films up on the big screen. ,[object Object],[object Object],“ *creating Kent’s stories of what 2012 means to a young person in Kent”

Thanks to all of you who submitted your innovations.

Thanks to all of you who submitted your innovations. See our innovations featured in previous editions of the Catalogue and join its community of practice, click here .

Thanks to all of you who submitted your innovations. See our innovations featured in previous editions of the Catalogue and join its community of practice, click here . Find out more about the Kent Year of Innovation and click here .

KCC Catalogue of Innovations

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KCC Catalogue of Innovations