In the run up to the elections

After a wonderful restoring break enjoying the bright weather, garden visits and no less than four art exhibitions I returned on Monday to work feeling refreshed. Thanks to the team for covering so effectively, including dealing with the Hove Town Hall fire. 

Interviews

It’s been a busy and varied week. On Monday we undertook interviews to appoint the Acting Head of Communications who will take over when Corinna Allen leaves us to go to Southern Water. Ali Rigby was the successful candidate and we wish her well and are pleased that there will be a good handover with Corinna, whose contribution to the council has been simply terrific. 

Signing ceremony

From there I went up to the University of Sussex where I signed the first agreement of its kind between Heritage England, the university and us to enable the listed buildings on the site to have some required developments without constant reference back to planning. 

Prof Michael Farthing (University of Sussex), me and Dr Andrew Brown (Heritage England)

Me with Dr Andrew Brown and Prof Michael Farthing 

After that, I, and a number of other invited guests, got a sneak preview of the Attenborough Centre which will be a wonderful performance and teaching space in the university bringing an older, much loved building back into use and certainly up to 21st Century standards.  We are very fortunate to have two thriving and prestigious universities in our city and their keenness to work closely with the council, and other partners, and to be part of the life blood of the city’s culture and economy are very precious to us.

 

At the Attenborough Centre with Prof Michael Farthing

Reviewing performance

This week I have undertaken a number of end of year performance reviews with my Executive Leadership Team members and have had my own performance review with Jason Kitcat, leader of the council. I hope you are also benefitting from these important markers in the year, when we are able to review and reflect on how we have achieved against our objectives, and to get some constructive and, I hope, positive feedback on our contribution to the progress of the council. We are now setting our personal objectives in the light of commitments in the Corporate Plan, and again this is going to be a tough year for all of us making savings, while modernising and improving and taking on some new responsibilities, particularly in the areas of Adult Social Care and Children’s Services.

Running up to the elections

The election planning continues at pace and we held our last formal project board this week as well as dealing with a problem arising from printers misprinting the postal vote packs for the town and parish council elections in the east of the city. Happily our recovery plan is in place and I very much hope that there will be no enduring difficulty in residents of Peacehaven and Telscombe electing their town and parish council representatives. 

Planning ahead

Wednesday was a glorious day and I snapped it on the way into work and the way home with contrasting pictures resulting. 

On my way in to work

On my way home

It was a day that Executive Leadership Team had set aside for some substantial consideration and planning of arrangements post election. It is vital that we are prepared for the new members who will be joining the council and for the new administration, whatever or whoever it will be. 

Working with others

Our future planning was also the subject of meetings I was involved in with the Key Cities chief executives followed by South East 7 chief executives in London on Thursday. The Key Cities group is a group of 26 medium sized cities. We have been working together for the last year to bring some influence to bear on the Government from the perspective of cities who, while they might not be the biggest in the country, do between them have a significant influence and role in the economy. Brighton & Hove is one of the highest performing Key Cities; in terms of economy and growth. The opportunity to work together with colleagues across the country and to seek some more freedoms, flexibilities and autonomy to thrive has been embraced by council leaders of all political persuasions.  A report launched today argues the case for the Key Cities.

Waiting in the Cyclist at Brighton Station

Conquering individual challenges

Finally, while reflecting on some of the big issues and opportunities facing us over the coming weeks and months, I want to end by focusing on the individual achievements of one of our key staff. Stella Bowser, who energetically sweeps the streets around Kings House, set herself a personal challenge last July to undertake a whole range of running feats for charity. Rockinghorse and Rise have benefited and Stella has reason to be a little bit proud. She has completed ten 10K runs, a half marathon, a full marathon, three ten mile races and a five mile sprint. As she said to me in her own words she’s all medal and blisters and she also reflected that her legs feel like those of an 18 year old and she has discovered that nothing is impossible is you set your mind to it. Seeing Stella this morning I found really uplifting, and I know that lots and lots of you have also conquered individual challenges and have reason to be a little bit proud. If you want me to know about them I’m all ears.  

Stella the conquerer

So enjoy the Bank Holiday and if, like me, you’ll be working on the election, do get a bit of a break, we’re going to need all our strength and wits about us next week.

All the best
Penny