ELMA HAS TAKEN THE BULL BY THE HORNS
Dyson Cleans Up • Published 21 Jan 2010 16:02
I WILL hold my hands up and admit that, in general, this column has tended to err towards slating what I have personally perceived as negative - be it council policy or other such nonsense.
So it may come as a surprise that I am going to dish out some praise on the council's new boss (for what my opinion is worth anyway...).
What's more, this is down to the way in which Elma Murray has dealt with the matter of job cuts, the slashing of council budgets and other matters which would normally see vicious headlines and wailing and gnashing of teeth.
From day one the new Chief Executive has been a relative breath of fresh air. Not to overly slight her predecessor, Ian Snodgrass, but the difference in approach has been significant. Whether this was down to Mr Snodgrass not wishing to rock the boat as his tenure came to an end, I don't know.
However, since coming into office, Elma Murray has been very honest in her appraisal of the challenges facing NAC. From day one there has been acknowledgement that massive cuts in the budget were needed. And when the figures rose, Mrs Murray took the bold step of issuing an open letter to all members of her staff telling them exactly what the situation was.
Of course, this has meant fear for workers who will undoubtedly be unsteady in their jobs. However, times are incredibely difficult and job losses are going to have to be borne.
Out of this comes the main reason I am writing this piece. For years I have been told by folk on the street that the one thing they are sick of is the senior officers at the council seemingly get off scot-free when cuts are made.
I have to say that I have sympathy with this view. And for years it seemed as though nothing would be done in this regard.
So it was with a bit of shock that we bore witness to a wholesale cull of senior officers. And not just any old senior officers, no.
The whole layer of those who were basically second in command was wiped from the council's infrastructure.
This sharing of the burden caused by the economic struggle in North Ayrshire between all parts of the council is exactly what is necessary to bring a sense of fairness and trust to the relations between the council and the public.
Will it last? Who knows. For the record though, it is possibly the best use made of a bad situation.
This blog appeared in Irvine Times 20 Jan 10
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