MSG

I have had personal and political doubts about Mono Sodium Glutamate for a long time. There is an abundance of evidence that illustrates the dangers of excess MSG. Nick Clegg, I know, takes the issue very seriously indeed. And we Liberal Democrats have an obligation to pinpoint the risks and minimise them. That is why I intend to make a start in County Hall to reduce and - soon - remove all traces of MSG from the diets of our vital workforce and also the County's school children. To this end I have drawn up a document for discussion with the County's legal advisers. It was, thus, with some alarm that a real "live" MSG appeared out of the ether on the Somerset County Council email system. MSGould@somerset.gov.uk turns out to be the top flight legal fireman Alan has hired to fill the ample boots of our dear David Corry, who is leaving us to spend more time following ecclesiastical pursuits. Mr Gould sounds like the sort of person we need. All I need to do is get his e-mail changed.

Preparing for Government

It has been a stimulating conference in Bournemouth - a chance to meet old friends and get to grips with real ideas. I made a point of watching yesterday's important debate on Private Finance Initiatives. Arguably that is how our joint venture with IBM, South West One, might be categorised. But Liberal Democrats are pragmatic. We always accept that there is room for improvement. So the motion that was carried by conference seeks the following: "Improving independent monitoring and evaluation of public sector comparators before projects are undertaken and of outcomes when projects are under way." What a good idea. Better monitoring and evaluation must make sense for the future. Not that there was in any way anything faulty with the evaluation we carried out befotre SouthWest One was formed. Perish the thought. Another important aspect of this conference motion was to: "Ensure that public sector organisations have the necessary skills and are adequately trained to be competent buyers, ensuring that they secure the taxpayer good value for money." Another good idea. But Somerset got there first. We employed the very best Chief Executive and he did the rest.

The Final Curtain?

I have written in this column before about the prohibitive cost of parting with important staff prematurely. The nature of many severance settlements can be a severe drain upon the resources of a busy authority like ours. I would always prefer a less expensive system. But now that it is becoming a matter of record and report that our masterful Chief may be seeking fresh challenges the subject deserves some political opinion too. Let me make it clear. I want Alan to stay. I think Alan has made such a generous contribution to the future of Somerset that his untimely departure would be immensely damaging for us all. I must, however, respect the decision that he is said to have made in applying for this new role. Cornwall succeeded in its bid for Unitary status. Somerset, sadly, failed. It could have been the other way round. In which case we would have every reason to celebrate. But Alan's vision has ensured that Somerset can still put out the bunting with pride. He has excelled beyond the boundaries. And though we cannot afford the salary of £200,000 and more that this new job commands, we know that he is worth every penny. The decision will be made by the end of the month. I am torn between praying that he fails and so wanting him to succeed.

Liberal Democrats Unite

The Political Season is almost upon us. Our own Mr Bean, Nick Clegg, intends to make a considerable impact. I am already getting very excited about my visit to Bournemouth for the annual conference of our great party. It is a magnificent opportunity to get together and meet friends old and new. This will be more of a family outing with so many of my family now involved in the political process. It is also an ideal opportunity to spread the good word about the huge strides we have made in Somerset to become so positively excellent. Our partnership with other authorities and IBM - South West One - continues to generate real interest. I am sure other Liberal Democrat leaders will be anxious to join us soon. I intend to minimise my carbon footprint by travelling to the Conference in company. Perhaps you would care to join me. If so please follow this link.

Chief Executives Do Not Come Cheap

Poor Mark Bilsborough. He has had a very rough deal indeed from Swale Borough Council in Kent. I last met Mark at a conference a while ago and his fine facial features were sadly drawn. In fact he has been absent from the tiller of his council since just before Christmas two years ago. There were unsubstantiated allegations made against him by other members of staff. He was subsequently sent on gardening leave - a costly excercise for the council: they paid him £256,000 for doing precisely nothing. And then there were some other big bills for lawyers. All in all Swale Council (or rather its council tax payers) will have spent more than £400,000 getting rid of its Chief Executive. Now for that sort of money one could conclude a deal with one of the world's biggest and most succesful IT firms and hearld a brave new dawn in public services. That's what we did with over £400,000 of your money. Well actually Alan Jones did most of the hard work. And what a Trojan he is. Losing Alan at any price would be a tragedy. So let us all put aside any unsubstantiated tittle-tattle, let us disregard the mutterings of those cowardly organisational terrorists and get on with it - like Alan does.

A load of old.....

There may be nine months to go until the County casts its vote, but even a week is a long time in politics. I make no apology for reminding readers that 2009 will be a vital election year. I intend to lead my team in an adventurous campaign that will inspire people to renew their support for our efforts. I intend to prove the huge value of our policies. I will be bringing forward detailed initiatives as time goes on but my over-arching philosophy is to espouse the cause of open government. The flow of information to citizens and stakeholders has increased ten fold since the Liberal Democrats achieved power in the county. And transparent government has been a Liberal Democrat watchword since our 1997 manifesto. Everyone will know how honest and sincere we have been in recent negiotiations to achieve better quality services in the County. Sometimes there is confusion about certain elements. Voices are occasionally raised in criticism that elected representatives have been excluded from the details of such important developments as the creation of SouthWest One. Let me make it absolutely clear. Liberal Democrat Councillors must be open about all things. The Chief Executive and Senior Officers understand this deep-felt need and treat it sensitively This is why they feel it important, sometimes, to protect us from details which might otherwise prove too much of a burden for myself and my team. This is nothing more than an act of human consideration on their part. Such capable officers they are too. Trust is another of my watchwords. More about that at another time.

The Main Man

There is little more to add. This film speaks for itself. His single human fault is is also his fundamental attraction to the opposite gender. We love him.