Blogs

Nigel's Blog: 29 October 2018

Posted: Monday 29th October 2018

Well, it's been just over a year now since my operation and I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone. Twelve months ago I was well into my rehabilitation and now I'm well into the budget preparation for 2019/20 ... I know which is harder! While we are on the theme of anniversaries I've just gone past my 39^th year working in local government, first for Gwent and then Torfaen. When I started out as a 16 year old working for close on 40 years seemed a lifetime away but it too has flown by and one day I may write a book on all the changes I've seen during that period.

I had three days off last week and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Some jobs around the house, it would be a stretch to say DIY, and then a couple of trips to garden centres. Went swimming on Wednesday and this has been something I've got right back into ... I'm up to ¾ of a mile now and hopefully will do the mile again shortly; something I haven't done for a very long time. Of course I kept the weekend free for football and Panteg are back to winning ways with a thumping 5-0 win against AFC Porth on Saturday. It was very cold on Saturday and it seems we've gone from summer to winter in the space of a few days! We had a Halloween party on Saturday night because Lois has always loved it ... all the family came around so it was nice – even if I was the family taxi service. I see there is some rain forecast for Wednesday so that may keep the 'trick or treaters' to a manageable number!!

For the period I was in last week the calendar was dominated by budget discussions and Council. The latter was quite a lively affair with some substantive items and discussions. In terms of the budget it was working through the first draft estimates for 2019/20. Its going to be another very difficult budget round but we are as well placed as we can be at this time of year and personally I believe we are in a better place than many other Councils. That is not to disguise the fact though that difficult choices lie ahead. As I write this blog we are awaiting the UK budget and I hope that we see some increase in funding for public services generally and local government in particular.

The budget theme continues this week and I have a meeting every day apart from Tuesday where it will be the subject of discussion. On Monday I have a round up on where we are with Dave Lilly followed by a briefing with the Leader. On Wednesday it will be all about the Social Care budget, Thursday our Resources budget and then Friday I will be looking at the Council Tax base with Deb Smith.

Aside from the budget today started with a catch up with Lynne and later this afternoon I have a brief with the Leader and Chief Executive. Tomorrow I am talking all things Governance with Cath Turner as we prepare for Corporate Leadership followed by a briefing with Jason on HR. Later in the week I have briefings with Victor and Richard Davies as well as our Resources Leadership Team meeting.

Next week is looking pretty busy and varied with a mixture of budget meetings, performance sessions, briefings and member meetings. Of course it starts with bonfire night!!

Looking to the weekend Lois will be riding on Friday and I’ll have football (weather permitting) on Saturday. Jill's dad passed away last month and so I'll be helping her clear out her dad's house at some point over the weekend; not a nice job but one that has to be done. And I'm sure there will be some time for the gym as well!!