The British Overseas Territories project (BOTs) phase 1 which successfully delivered the capability in Peterborough to process British Overseas Territories passport paper applications, held its closure CAM on 2nd December. This CAM was to enable the project to formally close and ensure we are able to handover to business as usual. The CAM was given the GREEN light to close (with some actions) and formally handover to the business on 12th January 2016. Meetings have taken place over the last month with Operations, Finance, Commercial and Team 21 to support and prepare them for their handover and ensure they are ready and fully understand what they are expected to do. The successful closure of the project also allows for team members to move to other projects, though a few team members will remain under Patrick’s portfolio umbrella.

You would have read in last week’s SC bulletin about the Digital Application Processing (DAP) project. What was previously known as BOTs Phase 2 has become BOTs electronic submission project (BOTES) and is being taken forward by DAP within the Transformation of Decision portfolio. Work has already commenced which will see completed BOT applications being forwarded to HM Passport Office electronically for processing and passing for issue. The team are already busy working with the BOTs supplier (World Reach) towards a go live date of March 2016.

Debbie Wright - Business Change Manager

It was with great delight that I attended Harvi's wedding on Sunday 29th November along with Jeevan Mann, Shaneela Mahmood and Jay Chitsabesan. A wedding full of colour, ceremony and dancing! All the best to the wonderful bride and her new husband Parmveer.

Scott Holland

Our very own Kat Mullen (and her friends) took to the skies of Dubai last week to raise money for charity. Brave Kat literally threw herself out of a plane (though being strapped to a good looking man was a bonus!) and skydived over Dubai. Kat’s nerves weren’t helped by the banter in the Glasgow office prior to the jump but she didn’t let us put her off! As you can see from the photos the views were spectacular and Kat said the whole experience was amazing! Kat and her friends chose to raise money for the Donna Mortimer Ballantyne Charitable Trust in honour of a friend, Donna, who was an inspiration to them all in her battle with cancer. The charity and Donna’s family continue the work which Donna started, by raising money for others. If you would like to contribute to the charity, you can do via this link:

https://www.justgiving.com/MORVEN-BEATTIE

Emma Winning

This year, once again, the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will be a ticketed event.

The Whitehall area will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians as it forms part of their ticketed area. The closures will come into place from 14:00hrs on 31st December 2015, so this means that anyone coming into the area after 14:00hrs will not be granted access unless they have a business access pass. If however, they are already in the building/Zone and then are looking to leave the area then they will have no problems.

Please follow the attached link to the Met Police Road closure map, Marsham Street is included within the zone: https://www.london.gov.uk/file/312088/download?token=o_YbtbWT

The Mayor’s Office is trying to ascertain how many passes each Government department requires for their security and staff, particularly if they have a shift change to enter into the area. This will be in the form of wristbands.

I would appreciate if you could please provide an indication of how many passes your Directorate is likely to need so we can co-ordinate for the Department. Please remember the business access pass is to enter into the area if coming to work in 2 Marsham Street after 14:00hrs only and is not a ticket to stay in the area and watch the fireworks.

If returns could be sent to Corporate Security – Enquiries (as listed on the GAL) by COP Wednesday 9th December, at the latest. Apologies for the tight deadline.

Infrastructure UK (IUK) and the Major Projects Authority (MPA) are to merge and become the Infrastructure and Projects Authority on 1st January 2016.

Both organisations have a common purpose - to ensure projects are delivered better. The creation of the IPA provides Government with an opportunity to have an even greater impact in the pursuit of this purpose through the creation of a single, strong voice at the centre of government.

The Home Office Disability support network has changed its name to ABLE.

Why have they changed their name? The idea behind the name change is to focus on what people with disabilities CAN DO and what we as an employer CAN DO to support our people to be the best they can.

Then network aims to make the Home Office a place where the skills and perspectives of disabled staff are valued and not just tolerated.

To find out more about ABLE please follow this link: https://horizon.fcos.gsi.gov.uk/news/able-staff

Karen Mitchell