Welcome to the bungle ...

3:55pm Tuesday 5th December 2000

Dear Leo,

Notebook always likes to welcome important new arrivals to the town hall and offer a little guidance.

I did wonder if it was necessary in your case, as you have the great privilege of working with Barnet's former chief executive, Max Caller. I am sure he's told you plenty about Barnet.

No doubt he will also have shared his views about the wicked press. However, I do hope you will form your own opinions as this wasn't one of Max's happiest areas.

It is good news that you were the unanimous choice of the selection panel, as party politics may put a severe strain on things at the town hall in the coming months.

As you know the borough elections take place in May 2002 and the contest in Barnet is likely to be bitter and long, in fact some would say it has already started.

There's a distinct possibility things will revert to "normal" with the Tories winning an overall majority. But it will be over the dead bodies of the Labour leadership.

I appreciate that Newham Council is something of a one party state. Barnet will give you plenty of practice in developing your skills in handling competing political groups (it's a bit like nursery teaching).

I note that the leader of Newham was knighted earlier this year for services to local government. If you can repeat this in Barnet I promise you that a sizeable bonus will be coming your way.

The Barnet councillors are the usual mixed bunch, as Max will have told you. But his firm grip is being missed and you may have to rein in the administration, particularly when it comes to election stunts.

Barnet is a fairly comfortable outer London borough with just the usual problems. The Government is pretty mean over financial support, but it is not the policy of the current leadership to make much of this. Indications are of a better Government deal next year (election year).

The Labour-Liberal Democrat alliance that runs the council is quite stable. Much council policy seems to come straight from the Labour think tank at Millbank, but the Lib Dems are a moderating influence.

If council leader Alan Williams comes on a bit strong it has been known a quiet word with the Lib Dems may calm things down.

The council has followed the national trend in shedding services. The residential homes have gone, with sheltered housing likely to follow. Although Labour says it wants to retain council housing, it will roll over whenever the Government demands.

So far as the council organisation goes I'm afraid you are inheriting a bit of a mess.

The five directors are now strategic directors with no day-to-day responsibility. Real responsibility is divided between some 25 newly created Heads of Service. It is far too many people, with no uniformity and plenty of confusion.

Unfortunately the present administration which presided over the creation of this system is not likely to back any sweeping changes. That will have to wait for a change in political control in 2002 if it comes.

But do the best you can to streamline and clarify matters. Fortunately it is recognised that some changes are needed in education, which has been made easier by the retirement of two senior figures.

Incidentally, the council has cobbled together a policy of supporting popular schools. But given the lack of resources, it means abandoning failing schools to their fate. You need to take a close look at this.

Staying with administrative matters, the manner in which councillors organise themselves is more an issue for them and the public. As you will know, Barnet was one of the first authorities to go for a cabinet system which was introduced without any public consultation.

The usual pattern has developed with most councillors and the entire opposition being marginalised. With fewer committee meetings and fewer committee papers much less information is coming out of the town hall.

The council's ever more expensive public relations operation is being used to spread the administration's good news although its performance has been significantly compromised by rapid staff turnover.

Indeed a general boost for staff morale should be on your action list.

And I would advise you to put down an early marker that the PR set-up is for factual information. Councillors must use their party offices for the spin and propaganda.

The council should try to establish a clear identity with the press. Don't leave it all to the politicians they are going to be pre-occupied with bashing each other over the head.

The council press release dealing with your appointment, which twittered on about "governance" and "joined-up government", didn't do us any favours. I trust you will make a point of communicating in plain English.

One of the biggest schemes you will inherit is the controversial new arts centre in North Finchley. How grateful the borough will be for this facility due for opening just before the local elections I cannot say. But the administration is deeply committed and all sorts of things are being done to support this enterprise.

For example over £300,000 Section 106 money obtained from developers nominally to pay for eduction and employment has gone down the drain, literally. It has been spent on the drainage system for the arts centre development.

Doubts have been expressed about the long-term finances of the arts centre, and the limited car parking (only 20 spaces allocated) must be a concern.

If there's a change in political control the special help will dry up and there could be problems. I should keep a wary eye on this one.

Another potentially big scheme is in Cricklewood where surplus rail land is available. Despite some early drum beating it has now been very quiet for a couple of years.

Anyhow, best wishes in the new job.

Obviously the administration has its own agenda, like the arts centre, winning Beacon Status from the Government, and above all getting re-elected. The public is more interested in the state of the roads and pavements, traffic management, improving social services, and a better recycling operation.

Power to the people, I say.

Respectfully yours,

Honest Bill.

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