Once again, significant time has elapsed since the last entry. Still, I keep trying. And I probably should have done this earlier, given that I needed to make an activity report to a meeting earlier this afternoon!
I’m having mixed experiences with the work programme at present.
Some easier ‘quick wins’ (eugh, jargon, but still) are being ticked off. A hugely popular training course on presenting data, jointly hosted with the East Midlands, is happening next week. I’ve also set up an open meeting with ONS and SUF, to bring together interested parties looking at local and regional products. Sadly SUF dropped the ball and I missed a crucial meeting at which I’d have publicised – so not enough publicity has gone out. I’m not sure what else I can do – or how much of a priority it should be. The business plan has me maintaining links and looking for development opportunities, but I do feel that I am inadvertently satisfying a SUF KPI for the year, rather than an ARO one.
I’m also putting in some hard yards on administrative and network updates. As agreed by the Board last week, I’m putting together the first attempt at a staff directory, includin the details needed to link together specialists. At the moment, I’m dependent on the websites or other information of members – but I’m hopeful that they will take it on and use it. I’m also going to prompt use of the research database as it has not got up to speed at all. All these things take time, and are perhaps areas where additional support for me (admin support, perhaps) would be of use. However, I foolishly rejected that idea, and instead asked for specialist help for the lobbying work. With glorious hindsight (and a view of the work of the comms consultant) I’m beginning to think I should have had confidence in my lobbying abilities if I had a junior member of staff to take these admin tasks off me. Note to self – next time admin is suggested, say yes. As my brief bit of lobbying training taught me, it is pretty much common sense as long as you have the time to sit and think about it. That’s the key!
I’m following up some of the suggestions made by the comms consultant, in terms of scoping membership and interests of key select committees. I copied our letter to CLG senior civil servant bod to HMT and BERR; and sent an amended (i.e. edited) version to Ministers. We had acknowledgement from CLG yesterday and so I’ll be following that up with a call, and maybe a meeting. As I’m the only FT ARO person I know I need to be the proactive person in pushing this forward, even if it might have an impact of more interest to members.
The responses so far, both direct to me and indirectly to members, is that ROs are valued – I’ve heard from a few sources that CLG and BERR, particularly, recognise them in some way. Attaching a financial ask to that, in a way that isn’t detrimental if it doesn’t happen, is the challenge – plus ramping up the recognition, and value, with MPs and peers.
I’m keeping a weather eye on a number of consultations or inquiries. Tomorrow sees the publication of the Modernisation Select Comm’s report on regional accountability, which is expected to expound the role for Regional Ministers, and the potential Regional Select Committee. A new inquiry into RDAs has been launched by the BERR select comm. Public Admin are having an evidence session on oversight of the new Stats Authority. CLG select comm, when not investigating public toilets (a valid topic, I know, but it provides me with a chuckle), is looking at the roles of central and local government. Obviously I’m keeping members updated, and responding where appropriate.
I’ve also got to try and push on RO input to the local economic assessment duty, including the opportunity to pilot via IDeA. They seemed to be waiting on us, and I need to try and get it moving. Bottoming out exactly what the possibilities are should be the next step, but I need to speak to Phil to make sure I’m not rushing in where angels fear to tread.
