WORK LIFE - TOMORROW'S PEOPLE

County Policy Development Officer

Cheshire CC

I oversee strategic policy development and resource planning in Cheshire's new policy and performance department. We co-ordinate policy development on behalf of councillors and the corporate management board within a four-year planning framework.

HOW?

There are 26 people on the team covering four strands of activity - medium-term financial planning, European external funding, corporate procurement and regional policy issues, particularly the potential impact of a regional tier of government.

YOUR ROLE?

Although my job description requires an accountancy background, my work is concerned with policy development within existing resource constraints, to help deliver the council's corporate priorities. A lot of information we deal with flows from central government and other areas.

CAREER?

I started as a CIPFA trainee accountant with Hertfordshire CC in 1991. I was there for seven years. I joined Cheshire's financial planning team in 1998 and was appointed to my present job two months ago. I have a degree in economics and industrial relations from Leeds University.

PERSONALLY?

I am married with two children. I'm treasurer of the council's staff credit union and play football regularly.

THE FUTURE?

I have just been appointed to this challenging post and am keen to make a success of it. The work is so varied I can't imagine working in a more confined area in future.