Member spotlight: Tim Lewis

Who are you and what is your role?

Tim Lewis and my official title is "Head of Client Services" at Wychavon District Council. Basically, I oversee and manage all contracts relating to waste, recycling, street cleansing, environmental crime, parks, open spaces and public toilets, as well as anything that doesn't fit into anyone else's remit!

What attracted you to work in local government?

When I started as a Data and Systems Officer in the Environmental Services Team at Malvern Hills District Council following redundancy, it didn't start as a wish to work in local government, I just wanted straight back in to work! But once I started working at MHDC, it seemed to be the job I had always been looking for.

Working at a waste and recycling depot, albeit with its own very unique challenges, was a breath of fresh air from previous working environments. As time went on, my "empire" expanded to waste collections, launching the new Commercial Recycling service and managing the introduction of alternate weekly collections with a move from black sacks to wheeled bins and all the challenges that comes with.

The variety is what I love most about local government as well as the feeling of making a genuine difference. I am also incredibly fortunate to worked for such a progressive council at MHDC and Wychavon who have supported initiatives I have wanted to introduce such as free period products in our public toilets and improvements to our (already award-winning) parks and open spaces.

What challenges do you face in local government?

Some of the biggest challenges are managing member and resident expectations. I strive to deliver the best service we can for our residents but sometimes things go wrong or what we deliver does not meet the expectations of some residents and, as the old adage goes, you cannot please all people, all of the time.

Whereas I imagine a lot of colleagues in other local authorities will cite economic challenges, I have been fortunate to work for a Council who have been managed incredibly well financially and this has enabled us to deliver some enhanced services without as much fear regarding the cost but this can lead to some rash decisions because money is not as much of an object.

The biggest challenge currently is the spectre of local government reorganisation (LGR) and the unknown future this brings for our Council and its services, on a personal level because of our contracts coming to an end and we needing to make decisions on the expiry of them for the benefit of the new unitary authority but also the fear that our residents will not receive the same high quality and localised service they currently do.

What do you value most about APSE membership/events/services?

The round table sessions at APSE events have proven to be the most valuable things I have experienced since being a member of APSE. Talking and listening to the people "on the ground" feels so much more beneficial than being presented to. Learning best practices (as well as what has gone wrong!) from other authorities has been invaluable. So often, you get stuck in a silo believing that your way is best, but when you talk to others and how they operate, you either validate that belief or you realise there are better and smarter ways of working. 

Share something you like about living/working in your local council area.

I love the beauty of my district. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by areas of outstanding beauty, not only within our own area but across Worcestershire. It never feels like you're more than 10 minutes away from stunning scenery. Very easy to take it for granted when you live here but it never gets old for me!