I always enjoy September. It feels like a moment of reset, similar to January, almost as if there is a second chance in the year to start afresh. There is a sense of renewed energy and focus after a break in August, when many of us take some time off to visit friends and family, go on day trips and outings, or spend a few days kicking back and relaxing on holiday. I certainly needed that this year!

Since the election in May, it has been an extremely busy period for me and the new Liberal Democrat administration at Shire Hall. After 20 years of Conservative control, we’ve been keen to get on with setting a new direction and shaping priorities for the next few years.

This has meant a huge amount of meetings with both internal colleagues and external partners, and I have found this to be extremely rewarding. As someone who really values partnership and working in a collaborative environment, I have relished meeting partners in the key areas such as: health; NHS; police; district, city and borough councils; town and parish council representatives; and education.

If we work together, we can support each other’s aims and deliver for residents

Many bodies in the public sector face difficult challenges on budgets and resources, but I truly believe that if we work together, we can go a long way to support each other’s ambitions and aims, and deliver for residents.

This requires hard work, determination and lots of energy. Having taken a few weeks to spend some time with my family, recharging myself for the next round of meetings with partners in the business, faith and skills communities, I am now ready for September and the next few months which are set to be just as busy.

We will be developing our corporate plan and cracking on with budget setting, as well as finalising the business cases for the reorganisation proposals to go to government by the end of November.

There is never a dull moment, with a huge range of vital day-to-day services to oversee and ensure good delivery of, whilst keeping an eye on the future and potential opportunities for the County. I’m looking forward to it all.