I have been privileged once again to chair the Region for the past twelve months and have seen many successes during this time.  The region has continued to grow with 339 members; 174 full and associate members followed closely by 159 subscribers, plus affiliate and retired colleagues.  The number of events has also increased with four major meetings held in 2005 and five planned for 2006.

In addition, seven committee meetings have been held since this time last year to steer and co-ordinate Socitm South business and events.  My sincere thanks go to all members of the committee for their invaluable contribution; Marilyn Rogers, Ken Boxhall, Tim Dawes, Bill Parslow, Bob Thomas, and Richard Wilkinson.  Janet de Rochefort joined the committee at the last AGM and contributed very valuably until a higher calling led her to chair the Socitm Performance Management Group.  This is excellent news, both for Janet, and for the region that is again influencing a key Socitm activity group.  Ken Boxhall continues to chair Events Committee, Jos Creese the Insight Steering Group and Bernard Gudgin represents retired members to National Council.  There is also a host of other regional members involved in various groups and committees demonstrating the strength in depth our region has and the contribution our members make to sustaining and developing the Society.

November saw our first Professional Development Day and although numbers were lower than for an open meeting, all those attending found the event developmental and stimulating.  The “speed dating” was, thankfully, a success and an excellent opportunity to meet and understand other members’ current issues, while Gartner’s Peter Shores presented a keynote on success factors for public service CIOs.  I plan to hold a second PDD in November this year.

Past and future event achievements through the year include:

• Customer focused performance and efficiency (September 2005) – including a presentation from Alan Meekings on analysing actual service demand, plus a consultation with the Audit Commission on CPA “Use of Resources”;
• Transformational Government (January 2006) – including a consultation with the Cabinet Office eGov Unit through Nigel Pommills.
• Website take-up and the national campaign (June 2006) - with different perspectives on progress to date, how to reach hard to reach groups and a debate with Dr. Peter Blair of the DCLG who is leading the national campaign.
• Transformational Local Government (July 2006) – an opportunity to feedback views into Socitm on the latest discussion paper, commissioned on behalf of the CIO Council.
• Local Government reorganisation / Shared Services (September 2006) – although the meeting has not been planned yet, these two subjects are likely candidates and for which members have a keen interest.

Of the various innovations that have been brought to the regional meetings, two stand out as particularly successful.  The panel discussions to debate key issues have been welcomed and have proven very interactive.  Perhaps most memorable was the discussion on CPA with the Audit Commission that proved very illuminating.  The sponsor or supporter stands in the break-out area have also been worthwhile.  They have provided added value to those enabling our events to take place and have supplied material and demonstrations directly related to the theme of each event.

Engaging those members who do not usually attend has been the focus of some committee work with analysis of membership and attendees that will lead to a contact programme seeking to encourage greater involvement and identifying any inhibitors.

Perhaps the hardest challenge the committee has found in the South Region has been to influence regional decision-making.  South Region simply doesn’t have the same synergy of somewhere like Wales, Scotland, or the North East and West where government is driving stronger partnerships and devolution.  Even so, there have been discussions with South East RCE, leading to my involvement in the South East local authority CEO symposium, a continued dialogue with SEFeG, and the continuation of a regional Benchmarking Club.  We hope to build on this in the coming year and the committee would be pleased to receive suggestions and input from members about taking the regional influencing agenda forward.

The Society has had both a successful and difficult past 12 months, particularly marked by the sad death of Stephen Hill, managing consultant for Socitm Consulting.  This has been one of several contributory factors to some financial imbalances across the Society and although our reserves remain high, radical action must be taken to balance accounts in future years.  To this end National Council, supported by the Spring Conference AGM, has altered the governance model and will make significant changes to the management of all activity streams over the coming year.  Ultimately, this may change the way regions are governed and funded.  The committee welcomes the changes and supports any moves that will improve co-ordination of regional events, speakers, sponsorship, marketing and communications to the benefit of all members.

Despite these changes, our region’s business plan and finances continue to be on track and a Society growing in strength will have a very positive effect on the success of our own regional activities.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement with Socitm South.  I hope all regional members derive benefit from our programme of activities over the coming year.

Nick Roberts, Chair Socitm South