6.16 — weeknotes — hectic…hectic…hectic…

What a hectic week….

Been in the office or London for 4 days this week — how did we do it prior to Covid?

Went in on Monday as has an evening meeting. Overview and Scrutiny. The delivery plan goes once a quarter, but this is the first I’ve been to. Gives Members the opportunity to scrutinise and challenge Cabinet across a range of topics. There are a range of subjects as part of each meeting and across the year. Some good conversations and questions from Members around the Delivery Plan and the Digital elements — then I could escape.

Tuesday back in the office. Always hard after not getting home until 2230 having to get on that 0700 train but was in for several different meetings.

Had the first of Jakes (new ED of Finance and Resources) — all staff update meetings — an opportunity for him to see everyone in the Directorate — all the Directors gave some brief updates on what was taking place. Was a good meeting and some valuable feedback from colleagues.

Also had the Finance, Performance and Risk meeting last thing — a chance for the CEX to review performance on a Directorate-by-Directorate basis — some good conversations and challenge about the performance indicators that we have currently and need to think about some more stretch targets that reflect the digital ambition.

Wednesday attended some great training as part of my new role. That’s Humanitarian Assistance Lead Officer the role that’s responsible for providing a cross-partnership response to any event affecting people both in the immediate response and longer term. Was a good training session, very thought provoking, and a list to come back and check out. I’m not the HALO for Hounslow Steven our Exec Director of Adults and Children is, luckily, he was there as well.

In again on Thursday for the update with the Leader and to be on site for a Planning system meeting, that I then failed to actually attend with everything else going on. The team have been going live with the new Planning and Building Control System over the last couple of weeks and a lot of effect and activities across the Council — finally getting there! A massive thank you to all those who have been working on the go live — more next week.

Tune of the week: Ava Max — Sweet but Psycho [Official Music Video]