Nigel's Blog: 06 March 2018
Posted: Tuesday 6th March 2018
Well it seems destined that my blogs don’t come around on anything like normal weeks!! The last one I wrote was back in September when I was just about to go into hospital for my heart operation and this one is after the worst weather we have had for a long while and it included a ‘red warning’ which is very unusual.
I returned to work in early January and am now back up to speed. The support I received both during my absence and since I have returned has been absolutely fantastic. It truly reflects our values as an organisation and I’d like to use this blog to thank everyone for that kind support ... it meant such a lot to me and my family. I’m back doing my fitness and have managed to run 5k on the treadmill. I set myself a goal that I would run a park run as soon as I was able and I’m on course for that ... although I think I’ll wait for the weather to improve.
Talking of weather what a truly difficult week or so of weather we have experienced. The ‘beast from east’ certainly lived up to its name and on Thursday and Friday certainly dumped some serious snowfall on the borough. I spent some time down in Ty Blaen on Friday and Saturday with the team helping to keep the roads moving and those managing the emergency situation. I think they did a fantastic job as did all those across the Council who shared resources and worked around the clock in the most challenging of conditions to ensure vital services were able to reach our most vulnerable residents. Our response showed public services at its very best. Spending time in Ty Blaen over Friday and Saturday certainly highlighted the difficult job they have at such times and the huge co-ordination job that goes into trying to keep our road network open and getting us back on the move as soon as possible. They do a terrific job. I went out with Andrew Villars on Saturday and was shown the conditions in the North of the Borough and particularly Blaenavon.
Hopefully, now that the thaw is underway things will return to normal this week.
Before the snow last week the big event was Council and the setting of the budget for 2018/19. It’s always a significant milestone and this year it felt somewhat strange as I’d missed several months of it but it went well on the day although the financial challenges and the choices the Council has to make get more difficult with every year as the squeeze on public finances continues.
My other significant meeting was in Cardiff with the other Pension Fund Authorities on Monday. And then the snow took over!
So how is this week shaping up?
Yesterday I had a briefing with the Leader. We talked about our various experiences over the weekend and shared stories of digging drives and roads out etc. We then signed off on two reports going to the 13th March Cabinet, one on fees and charges and another on the ‘city deal’.
Today I have a briefing with Ed in the morning and in the afternoon I have a meeting with Jason and there is a lot going on in the world of HR to discuss. After that there is a T22 programme board where we will assess progress against the various elements of our transformation programme.
On Wednesday we have our Corporate Leadership Team which I will be chairing for Alison.
I then have Thursday and Friday off on annual leave and now that the budget is concluded I’m looking forward to a longer weekend. I think there are plans to clear out the garage so I think I may be taking a few trips to the household waste recycling centre! On Saturday its my father-in-law’s 90th birthday so we have a big family celebration planned. I’m sure Lois will be riding at some point and she has a job interview on Thursday. Looking at the weather forecast I don’t think I’ll be watching any footy – the pitch will be waterlogged from the thawing snow and the fact its going to rain all week ... its ironic we were due to play in Swansea last week and the pitch down there was playable but we couldn’t get out!!
I hope that when it’s my turn to next write a blog that spring is in full flow and the nights are drawing out and we are enjoying some warmer weather. A more normal blog would be a change for me.
Thanks again everyone for all the kindness shown to me and the family.
Nigel
Nigel Aurelius is assistant chief executive (resources)