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Last week we had the world's media at our doorstep. Phones didn't stop ringing and the e-mails churned in. You'd think one of the raft of Olympic Gold Medal winners worked at Fenland!! But no, what turned the collective eye of media organisations around the globe was not the way we've transformed the council or the way we're working hard to improve the district, it was because we've decided to retain the services of Mat Taylor, our Finance Director, when he emigrates to Oz in October. Indeed you might have read the story in whichever daily you take – or in last week's MJ. So, what's all the fuss about? We were presented with the issue when Mat announced his intention to move to Adelaide. We were faced with the prospect of a gap of around three months before we could reasonably expect to get a replacement S151 Officer in post. We could (as is sometimes appropriate) have appointed an interim at a cost of some £30-40k to see us through. However, we put our creative thinking caps on and came up with a different solution. We already have a progressive flexible working policy at Fenland, and it only took a mild stretch of the imagination to apply that to Mat's situation to get us through this service and financial planning cycle and ensure continuity. We have (as have the most of local government) the technology to make it happen. I also took the opportunity to reshuffle the responsibilities of our corporate management team which led to a saving on Mat's current salary which happened to equate to the amount we'll be paying him for one year to work one day a week in Oz. So, what we've ended up with is guaranteed continuity until we appoint; a coach and mentor for the new postholder; a cost-neutral arrangement for 12 months followed by an annual saving of some £20k and a one-off saving of some £30-40k. We won't be paying a car allowance - and Skype is free!! I dare say this sort of arrangement is commonplace in the private sector. It's best for the organisation and best for the individual and their family. As you can imagine, some of the media coverage was positive, but most got hooked up on the prospect of a public servant working from the beach! In supporting this move, our politicians took a brave step in the best interests of Fenland. OK, so it's a bit different, but if we in local government are not prepared to stick our necks out and apply a little innovation, the good British public will continue to see us as the grey-suited, boring farts they think we are! Tim Pilsbury is chief executive of Fenland DC Also see the Localgov.co.uk editor's blog

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WHITEHALL

Aussie Solution is Taylor Made

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