London calling!

Have a busy couple of days in London where I meet with DEMOS to discuss a research project we are involved in around value for money in partnerships, the new Chief Executive of the LGIU, Andy Sawford and most importantly our National Council at Parliament.

Gets off to a bad start when the train abruptly stops at Watford - theres been a major problem on the line and no services are running into London. As we exit the station along with hundreds of other commuters I spot a taxi parked in a side street and we strike a deal to take us the rest of the way.

The meeting goes well with DEMOS and we agree a strategy as to how we take the research forward. We then go to the LGIU and meet Andy and agree some common objectives and fix up a few events to look at taking these shared goals forward.

National Council goes well and we agree the programme for our annual away day and review progress with a range of our services. Its Cllr Malcolm Jones last meeting as he is standing down from Neath Port Talbot Council in May and its emotional as colleagues pay tribute to his time in local government and his contribution to APSE having been a past National Chair and a long standing Chair of Wales.