Home > Generation BEST > Next Generation CMT proves a huge Success!

Next Generation CMT proves a huge Success!

Generation BEST, the council’s younger employees network, launched its latest initiative, Next Generation CMT, at a pilot meeting on 7th August.

NGCMT is a chance for network members to debate real issues affecting the city, have their say in shaping the organisation and raise their own profile amongst senior people in the council.

Like Birmingham City Council's Corporate Management Team, Next Generation CMT meets monthly to debate crucial issues facing the city and the organisation and make decisions about the way forward. Issues discussed are identical to papers presented at CMT, and are specifically chosen by CMT members for Generation BEST to debate and offer possible solutions on from a new point of view.

Generation BEST’s Next Generation CMT enables network members to gain a thorough understanding of how decisions are made at a senior level, as well as allowing members to gain experience in strategic thinking, prioritising workloads and working as a team. It also offers directors the opportunity to meet our ‘up and coming leaders’ and offer support and guidance where time permits.

The pilot NGCMT group, chaired by Jason Lowther, Director of Policy and Delivery, met to discuss two CMT papers; ‘Achieving the Be Healthy Outcome’ presented by Jim McManus, Director of Public Health and ‘Council Plan 2010+’ presented by Jason Lowther.

The group discussed in detail both papers and then came up with a number of suggestions to take back to CMT the following week.

Two spokespersons from NGCMT were nominated to attend the relevant part of the core CMT meeting the following week to feed back on the group's discussions and offer strategic thinking from a different perspective.

Jason Lowther said: "It was really interesting to hear Next Gen BEST members' views on the health and council planning issues we discussed. They had a real focus on improving outcomes for Birmingham people, and using evidence from the UK and elsewhere to help accelerate our progress there. They will provide a great addition to the debate at the CMT meeting on these issues, and help us to deliver key actions to improve. As a bonus, they agreed to do some further work around health inequalities with our Director of Public Health which will really help move that area forward."

NGCMT clearly impressed CMT with their recommendations and their in-depth knowledge of complex council priorities.

Jim McManus said: "Health is one of the biggest and most complex issues facing our city and members of Generation BEST will find these issues become more pressing for local government as they go through their career. The role of Generation BEST is crucial in bringing fresh insights to how we can address health inequalities and Next Generation CMT lived up to this by providing a range of challenges, ideas and priorities. We hope to involve Generation BEST in a more detailed think tank on health in Birmingham."

NGCMT member Simeon Whittingham, a member of Birmingham Graduate Development Programme was one of the spokespersons to feed back to CMT. Simeon found the whole experience incredibly valuable and enjoyable. He said NGCMT was: ‘A fantastic experience that provided an insight into some of the decision making at the highest level of the organisation. It was a pleasure working with the other NGCMT members, Jim McManus and Jason Lowther to come up with real feedback for CMT consideration. The day of CMT, I had the opportunity to work with a colleague, Rebecca Short, presenting a summary of the NGCMT's findings. I found the interaction amongst senior/executive officers at CMT very positive and the contributions we made appeared to be well received. I would encourage others that might be interested in participating in future NGCMTs to do so!’

Rebecca Short, Overview and Policy Manager, added: ‘I've really appreciated the opportunity to engage in discussion with those most senior in the Council and put the views of NGCMT forward. I'm particularly looking forward to the future opportunities that our discussions may bring for myself and other Generation BEST members, based on our recommendations. Definitely worth taking part!’

NGCMT is run on a rolling membership basis so if you would like to find out any more information or take part in a future event then please contact Generation BEST via lotus notes mailbox GenerationBest or on 675 1545.