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The first year of the new-look Bedford Borough Council, by the chief executive
Philip Simpkins on his "baptism of fire"
From snow and schools to overseeing five elections in less than a year Philip Simpkins, the chief executive of Bedford Borough Council has had, in his own words, a "baptism of fire" after taking on the top job.
But following a recent independent review which hailed the leadership provided by the mayor and chief executive as having a "significant impact in a short space of time on the reputation and regard with which the council is held," it is clear that he is doing something right.
Philip said: "I never set out to be chief executive but now that I am it has definitely been a baptism of fire. But I was ready for the challenge."
The challenges in Mr Simpkins' first year have been many.
First there was a shake-up in local government which left him in the top job at the new-look newly-empowered unitary Bedford Borough Council.
Having served as a deputy to former chief executive Shaun Field, Mr Simpkins took on the top job two-and-a-half months after the council became a unitary authority on April 1.
Bedford Borough Council now has responsibility for cash-heavy services including education and social services.
And following a corporate peer review by the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government, the team at Borough Hall was commended for making the transition to becoming a unitary authority in a professional and rigorous fashion.
The report said: "Bedford Borough's communities are generally satisfied with the services that they receive from the council and there are some excellent examples of engaging individuals and groups in tackling local issues."
There have been plenty of local issues for the new authority to sink its teeth into.
In the last 12 months Bedford saw its worst winter for 30 years which stretched front-line services, the death of the first elected Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston, the subsequent election of current mayor Dave Hodgson, a general election and the controversy surrounding plans to abolish middle schools which have now been put on ice.
Mr Simpkins started his career at the council in finance and he believes that his background in numbers has stood him in good stead for steering the council through the recession.
He said: "I believe that if you have the finance and governance side in place you have a very strong foundation to build on.
"My outlook has been different because of that."
Mr Simpkins is also responsible for overseeing elections, and was returning officer for two constituencies at the general election in May, as well as for the mayoral election and two by-elections.
And he admitted that no two days are the same in his role.
He said: "It was quite an eventful first year in the job.
"My job is to make sure that the councillors can deliver on all the policies that they pass. During the year we have had two different mayors and I have had to work closely with them both.
"I think that, although they have both had different styles, we have managed very well. That is my job, to work with what I am given.
"My job is certainly varied,. One day I will be working on a staffing issue and the next I will be working on strategies for the schools or potholes."
What would you like the council to put at the top of its list? Email editorial@timesandcitizen.co.uk
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Weather for Bedford
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
