Learning Curve

Where have I been for the last year?  Why the radio silence?  What have I been doing?

I’ve been learning.  (Lurking too, because I seem to be slightly addicted to seeing what you, my lovely network, are doing - but mostly learning).

My learning curve in 23/24 has been the biggest I’ve ever been on.  It’s genuinely up there with parenthood.  Back in May, after being re-elected to the local Council, I was invited to put myself forward for Cabinet.  Long story short?  I took on the role of Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, thanks to embracing saying ‘yes’ (see my earlier blog post!).

I can say this without being remotely political - it’s not a fun time to be getting to grips with Local Government finance.  The media is full to bursting with stories of councils going to the wall, commissioners being brought in, and non-statutory services grinding to a halt.  Effective bankruptcy.  After 14 years of underfunding, and 6 years of just single-year settlements, sustaining is a real challenge facing all councils.

But it’s a challenge that brings some incredible learning opportunities with it.  Within my portfolio, I get to zone in on social value, climate change, and work to combat poverty.  I get to understand the ins and outs of the digital divide, and work to improve digital inclusion.  I get to know much more about Treasury Management, Council Tax, Business Rates, and how austerity affects the Local Authority’s entire estate.  (I’m a riot to watch the news with…  ahem).  AND I get to stretch my legs in the more familiar territory of organisational design and development and the Council’s People Plan sometimes, too!

The teams I work with continually astonish me.  The last 10 months has been an incredible lesson in the power of teamwork, patience and remaining calm in the face of government bureaucracy.  The education that I’ve had from some real experts continues to be just brilliant, and working with people genuinely looking to be challenged has really reignited my fire, too.  Being asked to provide political leadership to knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate experts – well, we’re back to that theme of privilege again.  I’ve really felt that responsibility and put the work in to muscle up.

It's huge.  And honestly, intimidating.  But how often in life do we get the chance to affect these things?!     

With a business to run, and family life to navigate too, it’s been a lot.  I’ve had to get some really robust strategies together to make it all ‘do-able’, and that in itself has been something of a learning experience!  But my squad – family, friends, colleagues, mentors, residents – have been totally there for it.

I’ve also found that my clients have enjoyed the benefit of some of the new perspectives I can bring into our conversations… Making the impossible possible is on everyone’s agenda right now! And innovation and tough decision-making being even more critical to an organisation’s future is something that resonates with too many of us.

So yes, it’s been something that I’ve needed to create time to focus on, and I’m conscious that I have been somewhat quiet.  But rest assured - I’ve been just over here, learning, applying, and being thoroughly inspired!