At this week's North East ICT managers meeting we spent a lot of time talking about devolution. It is a topic that is exercising the minds of many of us in local government at the moment. It is the hot button issue. It was a good meeting. All of the seven councils in the soon-to-arrive … Continue reading Unfolding plans 177 – North East ICT
Unfolding plans 175 – Lest we forget
There is some irony that on the day we remember the glorious dead of conflicts around the world that there is a conference in Malta to try and stem the flow of migrants into Europe. On the day that we are to remember those who have fallen defending our way of life, who have been … Continue reading Unfolding plans 175 – Lest we forget
Unfolding plans 174 – Walking meetings
Jenny suggested that we go for a walking meeting. It sounded fun and the weather was fine so why not. Actually it has been unseasonably warm for the time of year and the wind was blowing a gale but we are hardy folk and were not going to let a spell of blustery weather put … Continue reading Unfolding plans 174 – Walking meetings
Unfolding plans 173 – The wedding planner
If I understand Shakespeare correctly I am somewhere within the fifth and age of man. I realise that I am in fair round belly with eyes severe and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances. I’ve only got two ages left and so I’d best get on with what I have … Continue reading Unfolding plans 173 – The wedding planner
Unfolding plans 172 – World Paper Free Day
It’s World Paper Free Day today. I hope you’re enjoying it. I hope you didn’t send a card! I didn’t know there was such a thing until a couple of weeks ago but I put it in my diary and here it is. I’ve long been an advocate of getting away from paper at work. … Continue reading Unfolding plans 172 – World Paper Free Day
Unfolding plans 171 – Document management
So, one of the best things about going down to the Local Government Forum in Manchester earlier this week was the drive there and back. I know it was awful. I said so in my blog. We got stuck in bad traffic both on the way down as well as the drive home yet it … Continue reading Unfolding plans 171 – Document management
Unfolding plans 170 – free from location
I thought the traffic was bad through the Team Valley but having travelled to Manchester yesterday I'm thinking I've been getting away with it lightly. Lee and I were making our way to a Local Government Strategy Forum at the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club just north of the city. The drive down … Continue reading Unfolding plans 170 – free from location
Unfolding plans 169 – goodbye, farewell
A colleague of mine has retired. I’ll miss her but am pleased for her. She’s going to get the chance to do some of the things that she’s always wanted to. Not that work was something she didn’t want to do but you know what I mean. She has been a long standing public servant … Continue reading Unfolding plans 169 – goodbye, farewell
Unfolding plans 168 – I wouldn’t start from here
It’s an old joke when asked for directions to reply that ‘I wouldn’t have started form here’ yet it is a truism that we arrive where we are because of where we started from. I am thinking of this in context of this year’s planning round. We’ve started on our service plans which, while covering … Continue reading Unfolding plans 168 – I wouldn’t start from here
Unfolding plans 167 – The governors
We govern our ICT with three overlapping circles, a trefoil or a shamrock. Our governance is a lucky charm. We have three overlapping groups that set direction and hold us all together. The Strategic ICT Group comprises directors and Head of service. Their job is to set the direction and need for technology. They also … Continue reading Unfolding plans 167 – The governors
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 