A year of work in progress – day 35

Day 35 – 20 February 2014 It’s good to leave home when it is light.  I was able to leave a little later this morning as my first meeting was with NCFE just down the road. My first day without paper wasn’t without its moments but I managed.  I had to sign a couple of … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 35

A year of work in progress – day 34

Day 34 – 19 February 2014 Last night I decided that I’m going to try and go paperless.  I’ve been agile for some time and am obsessed with being more personally efficient yet I still hang onto the vestiges of the old way of doing things.  I carry a day-book around with me in which … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 34

A year of work in progress – day 33

Day 33 – 18 February 2014 I thought I’d get the train in this morning but when the announcement came over the Tannoy that it was at least thirty seven minutes late arriving at Morpeth I decided to give up and drive in.  Thankfully I had my old friend Mr Laptop with me and so … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 33

A year of work in progress – day 32

Day 32 – 17 February 2014 Take two one-to-ones with members of my team, two tier 4 managers and two heads of service.  Add to this a couple of other meetings and that was my day.  I started at Meadowfield, travelled to County Hall and ended up at Tanfield.  Eight meetings in three locations was … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 32

A year of work in progress – day 31

Day 31 – 14 February 2014 Valentine’s Day is the day when love hangs heavy in the air.  What better way to spend the morning than with BT?  We have a meaty contract with them to deliver the broadband infrastructure for the Digital Durham programme and so it’s important that we maintain excellent relations throughout … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 31

A year of work in progress – day 30

Day 30 – 13 February 2014 I have known Gill for some time and so I don’t know if I can claim her as another notch in my tier 4 belt yet in the past we have met to talk about a project or an issue.  My mission (should I choose to accept it?) is … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 30

A year of work in progress – day 28

Day 28 – 11 February 2014 Ah well. I didn’t win.  Newcastle and Bucks did so at least something came to the region.  I got down to the last six out of fifty seven bids and I made a couple of useful contacts, one from the Department for Communities and Local Government and one form … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 28

A year of work in progress – day 27

Day 27 – 10 February 2014 Today I was in Slough, at O2’s offices.  I’d entered a competition to win some help from The Local Government Digital Fund.  I hadn’t expected to get anywhere but got shortlisted into the last six and was asked to present my thoughts at a Dragon’s Den style event.  I … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 27

A year of work in progress – day 26

Day 26 – 7 February 2014 Today was all about Building Schools for the Future or BSF to use its initials.  The brain child of Tony Blair’s government, BSF was designed as an investment programme to improve the lot of secondary schools across the country.  Apparently politicians from all English political parties were supportive of … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 26

A year of work in progress – day 25

Day 25 – 6 February 2014 Last night wasn’t bad at all I’m pleased to say.  There were no flaming torches or pitch forks, just a small group of people who are (and have been for some time) interested in getting broadband into Teesdale.  Getting provision into the further flung parts of the County was … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 25