The eagle has landed

You could have knocked me down with a nine iron when they told me. I had no idea whatsoever. As a matter of fact I doubt if many of my golfing chums at the Council knew anything. Or if they did they didn't tell me. But ignorance is no defence and I have made it my business to assemble the facts, memorise the essential details and forget everything thereafter. We call it diplomacy. So it came as a considerable surprise to be told that Alan had fallen out so badly with some young upstart whose name evades me. Naturally my sympathies are all with the Chief. I heard that he had made justifiable complaints about the man's behaviour. Then everything went quiet for a week or so. Or was it a year or so. Never mind. But it has all come right in the end. At least I think it has. By the way if you spot my favourite leather gloves in the changing room do let me know.

Fore!

I am immensely priveleged to chair the Audit and Resources Sub-Committee at Somerset County Council. This has enabled me to come into contact with some of the most able officers currently giving service anywhere in English local government. I must single out the unflappability and good nature of Roger J Kershaw, Corporate Director of Resources, whose honesty in all things financial is a shining beacon to us. Naturally I would also include our Chief Executive who has lifted the entire council from merely average to absolutely superb. It is his efforts that should be most applauded. And if, after the June elections, my party is returned to office I will be championing the cause of our senior officers to my colleagues. These are people we would be proud to work with. They know their stuff. And I know they know because they tell me so.

Teeing Off

When my political colleagues and golfing companions heard that I was about to launch a "blog" there was an collective intake of breath. You could have cut the silence that followed with a knife. But when I explained my reasoning the scales began to lift and the reactions were far more positive. I have been involved in Somerset politics for twenty years. I know the major players very well and have grown to like so many of them. It would be easy to pretend that partisanship divides elected members into cosy party groupings out of which they must never stray. The truth, however, is the precise opposite. I have learned to respect a number of my political opponents. I have gained their trust. This little column may help explain the way I work with others. And I will, from time to time, impart a few tales from the fairways.