Chief Executive updates - 2024

November 2024 - It won't be often I start this message on the sofa of the Graham Norton Show

It won't be often I start this message on the sofa of the Graham Norton Show, but I'm going to make an exception in order to talk about how we make work safe.

Whether you watch the show; have read any of the newspaper stories and columns about a recent episode, or watched clips on social media - you may know it has found itself at the centre of a conversation about equality and safety.

During an episode towards the end of last month, Hollywood stars shared anecdotes about being trained in self-defence for acting roles - with the male guests snorting at the apparent ridiculousness of learning how to use your phone as a makeshift weapon, if attacked.

The lone woman on the sofa, Oscar-nominated actor Saoirse Ronan, had to take a couple of runs at being heard - amid much hooting and thigh-slapping from her colleagues - but, when she did, she made it count.

"That's what girls have to think about all the time," she told them.

Her co-stars mumbled in embarrassment; found interesting, new things to look at on their shoes - and the show quickly moved on, but Ronan's comments certainly struck a chord with many of the women in the studio and watching at home, including me.

We might not be in showbusiness, but I think the exchange was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks and makes you think.

No matter what your place is in the council family - or how, fair, safe and happy you might believe or know your own workplace to be - the reality is we are not, and cannot expect to be, immune to problems that are long standing and deep rooted in the society we are part of and in the communities we serve.

So, if you feel like sexual harassment isn't an issue at your work; please understand that we all have to be vigilant that workplaces are safe and that everyone feels safe in them.

A new update to the Worker Protection Act, which the council is fully embracing through its Bullying and Harassment policies, means it is no longer good enough, if it ever was, to deal with problems only when they arise or when they are reported.

In law, we all have a duty to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in our workplaces.

That's why we are rolling out new guidance for managers - and GOLD e-learning resources for everyone.

We'll include training on preventing sexual harassment in our induction programme and appoint volunteer contacts to support staff.

Our Equally Safe at Work survey will help us gain a better insight into the culture and level of understanding, attitudes and experiences of workplace sexual harassment in the organisation.

We'll act on the results - and we'll talk to staff about what we find.

I want this to be really clear.

Sexual harassment is a form of violence at work. It is a key driver for inequality in the workplace for women - and the council will take a zero-tolerance approach to it. I hope you understand why I feel so passionately that this responsibility is one we must all take seriously and act on.

October 2024 - you can, and you are - making a difference to the lives of Glaswegians

Many colleagues across the Glasgow Family will already be aware that Monday sees the beginning of Challenge Poverty Week across Scotland.

It's an opportunity for us all, regardless of our roles, to reflect on both the impact of poverty throughout our communities and the actions we can take to address it.

As a council, our strategic plan commits us to tackling a series of 'Grand Challenges' - including the reduction of poverty and inequality in our communities.

Across our services, departments and teams we all have something to contribute; whether that is by delivering direct support to our most vulnerable citizens, ensuring our services are accessible to all, or improving our places to ensure our communities can thrive.

 You can - and you are - making a difference to the lives of Glaswegians.

The city's Community Plan also puts family poverty at the heart of what we do - and challenges us to come together, elected members and officials alike, to focus on prevention; ensuring those in need receive the right help at the right time.

Leading on this priority, the Child Poverty Programme is a multi-agency network spanning not only the council and Health and Social Care Partnership, but representatives from across the third sector, housing associations, and the University of Glasgow.

Over the course of the last 18 months, the work of that partnership has helped us to better understand that, in order to tackle the magnitude of poverty in Glasgow, we need to make some fundamental changes to the way we plan our services.

There are many examples of amazing work that is already happening across our city, but one recurring problem is that a whole range of different organisations have been working very hard but, more often than not, separately.

If all that effort can be combined and targeted, we have to believe there is an opportunity for real change.

We are committed to working collaboratively with people and organisations across Glasgow to co-design a new system that places the rights and preferences of the people who use our services at its heart.

A city-wide 'No Wrong Door' approach will allow us to respond to the needs of Glaswegians in a way that takes closer account of their unique experiences and circumstances.

I know that looking at the child poverty statistics paints a bleak picture - and, for those of us working in the public sector, being confronted with the realities that many of our citizens are facing can be both overwhelming and disheartening.

So, to give ourselves the best chance of delivering for those who really need us, it is important that we look after our own wellbeing and ask for support if we need it.

We also need to understand, as a team, that a change in circumstances can affect anyone; even people we might assume are financially secure. Nobody should feel ashamed about asking for help.

 The Workforce Wellbeing Section of our website has helpful resources for staff.

I know the task might seem impossibly big - and, yes, there is a lot to do. However, through conversation, compassion and collective action change is possible.

• Find out more about the events taking place during Challenge Poverty Week on the Poverty Alliance website.

September 2024 - it's been a difficult summer for many communities across the UK

It has been a difficult summer for many communities across the UK.

Since the first signs of disorder and violence in towns and cities at the end of July, I have stayed in close contact with senior officers at Police Scotland.

I know how much work the force has put into engaging with communities and trying to understand their concerns, as well as tracking and gathering intelligence about those planning disruption or spreading hate online.

One of the things they have always stressed is the danger our communities face not only from violent extremists, but disinformation and speculation.

Early last month, thousands of messages were shared on social media and elsewhere about alleged demonstrations and violent confrontations planned in Glasgow - often in the heart of the city centre.

In many cases, they called for people to oppose racism and bigotry. Often, they advised people to stay at home - rather than go to work or school, see friends or family.

You can understand why. People were appalled by what they had seen elsewhere in the country and anxious to think the same violence and chaos might spread closer to home. They were concerned for their friends and neighbours.

The rumours and speculation quickly became mainstream news, alongside shocking footage of riots playing out in other cities - and the result was many people left in fear and alarm, with some employers even sending staff home from city centre offices out of concern for their safety.

On the council's website, the webcam streaming images from George Square froze because so many people were watching.

In reality, the police could see little evidence that trouble was planned in the city. Anyone constantly refreshing the George Square webcam would have mostly seen pigeons.

Of course, we can be relieved - proud, even - that the type of scenes witnessed elsewhere were not repeated on our streets.

However, we have to be aware of the very real risk that, although well-intentioned, when people's genuine concerns meet rumour and disinformation it can fuel rather than calm anxiety and tension in our communities.

Glasgow is a proud, diverse and, above all, welcoming place.

Right across our city, there are people who are determined that its sense of community will stay strong and resilient in the face of extremism.  

As a workforce, we are very much part of that wider city community. Regardless of whether you live in Glasgow or not - and not far off two thirds of us do - we all spend our days working in and for the good of the city.

I know many of you will have had your own uncertainties and anxieties over recent events and how they might impact you, your loved one and even your work - and I also know that we all have colleagues that are ready to make the time to look out for us and offer a little extra support when we need it.

July 2024 - this summer

It has been such a busy period, you would be forgiven for missing the fact the council is now in its official summer recess.

While this pause in the cycle of committees and reports might mean some outside the council think things have slowed down; that's rarely the case and summer often passes in the blink of an eye.

I'm always very aware that, for many teams across the Glasgow family, the holiday period brings no respite. In fact, for some, it's probably the busiest time of the year.

Summer is a very important season for colleagues involved in supporting the city's busy events calendar, for example - with everything from summer sport to music festivals attracting locals and visitors to our city.

And a busy city means no let up in our daily operations, managing things like roads and traffic, cleansing and maintaining our parks and public spaces.

While school may be out, it's business as usual for services like social care - with the added complication of juggling a steady workload with annual leave.

And, busy as we might be, it is still really important that we all give ourselves a break when we can.

Whether you have big travel plans this summer, or the opportunity for some well-earned rest and more time with family and friends, most people will want to find at least some space in the next few months to relax and recharge our batteries.

Whatever your plans for the weeks ahead - at work or in your own time - I hope you have a great summer.

June 2024 - I am incredibly grateful to our staff already working to prepare for the election

When I started this job, I didn't really anticipate I'd be starting another one within just a couple of weeks - but Rishi Sunak's decision to call a snap summer election caught plenty of people on the hop.

This election, now just a month away, will be my first as the city's Returning Officer - which I'm really looking forward to, but finding a steep learning curve.

Although most ROs are also council Chief Executives, a lot of people are surprised to learn that one job is not part of the other.

A Returning Officer is independent and not responsible to their local authority, but directly to the country's courts. While they can appoint people to carry out various parts of the job, they remain personally responsible for running the election in their local area.

As you might imagine, I've spent a fair bit of time over the last couple of weeks reading up on the rules, legislation and guidelines that underpin my newest role - and quizzing council colleagues with decades of election experience.

It is a big challenge and one most people reckoned I might have had until at least the autumn to read up on ... but, instead, we have the first July general election since 1945.

That date, which falls within the school summer holidays for most of Scotland, brings its own complications.

Teams in Glasgow that deal with electoral registration are working within incredibly tight timescales to make sure as many people as possible are registered to vote; arranging postal votes for people who now find themselves away from home on polling day, and tackling the new requirement for all voters to produce identification.

We are really focused on ensuring we support and enable as many people as possible to exercise their right to express their views on how we should be governed, through voting.

Also, City Building are drawing up detailed plans for how to put in place and remove scores of polling places almost overnight; transport hundreds of thousands of votes, and set up our count centre.

And we are recruiting an army of staff who will work on polling day and through the night to make sure votes are cast and votes are counted.

I am incredibly grateful to our staff already working to prepare for the election - and to those across our services who have, more recently, responded to the call for additional staff to support polling station, voting and the count.

So, when I stand at the lectern at the Emirates Arena and declare the results from six Glasgow constituencies in the early hours of 5 July, it will be the culmination of six or seven weeks of hard work - but built on a foundation of years of experience in teams cross the council family.

May 2024 - big shoes to fill, but also a great team to help me break them in

I'm really glad to have the opportunity to write to you all during my first few days as Chief Executive.

As a Glaswegian myself, I've always been very proud to serve the city - and leading a fantastic team at the Health and Social Care Partnership was no small job - but it is a genuine privilege to take on this role.

I won't pretend it isn't also just a wee bit scary, so I want to say a sincere thank-you to everyone who has been in touch over the last few weeks, with congratulations or words of encouragement.

I also want to thank Annemarie, for leaving me big shoes to fill - but also a great team to help me break them in.

I've noticed, since my appointment, that people sometimes talk about chief executives and chief officers as if they are made somewhere in space and fall from the sky.

In my experience, nothing could be further from the truth.

I'm very proud that I started my career in residential care for older people. I can still remember my first day in that job - and it's the same motivation that gets me out of bed in the morning today.

When I was studying, I once found myself in an office in London, waiting to be interviewed for a job in a very big, very corporate business and asking myself, ''What on earth am I doing here?'.

I realised that being able to make a contribution to my own city meant a lot to me and I know that's true for so many people across the council family.

So, when I did move on from that first job in residential care, it was to become a qualified social worker.

Back then, care staff were out of the room when the real decisions were being made - and that wasn't for me. I thought being qualified would give me the best chance to do more for the people I worked with and cared for.

In many ways, making this step is the same. I wouldn't look for a role like this unless I thought I had something worthwhile to offer it.

Glasgow, to me, is a creative and innovative place. It is Scotland's economic powerhouse; punching above its weight to attract investment - both in the city and across its surrounding region.

But I believe that kind of economic regeneration has to go hand-in-hand with the city's social regeneration.

From housing and infrastructure to health, skills and raising the aspirations of our communities; the synergies and the potential are right there. It is up to us to use them to Glasgow's benefit.

I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks again for your best wishes. If there's anything you want to suggest, or ask, you can always get in touch by emailing AskSusanne@glasgow.gov.uk

3 April 2024

Earlier this year, I decided that I would step down as the council's Chief Executive in May - after almost a decade in the job and more than 30 years in local government.

While I've been very touched by all your best wishes - and grateful for them - I've tried to resist looking backwards too much since making my decision public.

Although it was a big one for me, personally, I didn't want it to be a distraction for the council at a really challenging time.

Over recent weeks and months, however, the council has gone through a major recruitment process to identify my successor - and that has concluded with the appointment of someone many of you will know well, Susanne Millar.

I know the strength of our team across the Glasgow family, and I was always confident that there were leaders ready to step forward.

Susanne has been a superb Chief Officer for our Health and Social Care Partnership.

She has spent her entire career working for the people and communities of her home city - and I have no doubt she will be a formidable Chief Executive.

Everybody knows there are some very serious challenges ahead for local government and, having worked closely with Susanne for years, I'm confident she has the drive, the passion and the vision to not only face them, but keep achieving better for Glasgow.

I don't yet know whether I'll miss the job; but I do know I'll miss my colleagues a great deal.

It has been a great privilege to be able to spend almost my entire career at the council, working on behalf of Glasgow and Glaswegians - and to spend so much time with people who have chosen to do the same.

I hope, if you have taken anything from my updates here, it has been how proud I am of the work we do together. I hope you feel that pride too.

From next month, the privilege of leading our team is Susanne's. 

From me, sincere thanks for your kind wishes, for your friendship - and for everything that you do.

6 March 2024 - Dates for your diary

I know it probably feels like we have barely settled into 2024 - but, by the next time I write one of these messages, a quarter of the year will already be behind us.

Many of you will already know that 2025 will bring with it a major milestone for our city, as Glasgow marks its 850^th birthday.

We want to support people, partners and communities to create a citywide, inclusive, yearlong programme of events and activities that reflect on how the city has transformed - particularly over the last fifty years.

I think it is also equally important that the city's celebrations look to how we can inspire further change and a better future over the next fifty.

With heritage, young people, communities, climate change, culture, innovation and business and skills, among the themes of the year, the River Clyde past, present and future is also integral to our city's story.

Colleagues across the council family will be integral to this celebration - after all, around two thirds of our workforce also live in the city.

That might mean simply attending or participating in events, but we also have the opportunity to be real ambassadors for Glasgow's birthday - supporting people to tell their stories and celebrate in their own way and strengthening relationships.

So, while 2025 might still seem a long way away, this is the ideal time to visit www.glasgow850.com and start thinking about what part you want to play.

International Women's Day 2024

While the diary for Glasgow's big year in 2025 is already filling up, there's another important date coming up in the next few days.

This Friday, March 8, is International Women's Day - and a really valuable opportunity for all of us, of any gender, to celebrate women and their achievements while also raising awareness of discrimination.

The Glasgow family has is its own strong Women's Network, which provides an opportunity for women - or anyone interested in gender issues - to get together and discuss relevant topics, share ideas, insights and experiences.

Around 70% or our workforce is female and the group provides a positive, supportive environment enabling members to relate to one another first and foremost as individuals.

It's a key part of our work to support equality, diversity and inclusion, which I'm very proud to sponsor. Whether on International Women's Day or any other, I encourage colleagues to get involved.

You can find out more about our network on Connect or email WomensNetwork@glasgow.gov.uk to join the mailing list for updates.

Inclusion and staff training/events calendar

Finally, I have more dates for your diaries - making our workplaces more inclusive and linked to wellbeing events, training and personal development opportunities.

Here you can access a new Inclusion Calendar marking diverse holidays, cultural events, religious celebrations and other occasions.

Meanwhile, you will find a diary of regular staff training and development activities at 'join us' here.

7 February 2024 - Budget and Take Time to Talk

Many of you will already know that, last week, I confirmed that I'll be retiring as Chief Executive in a few months' time.

In time, I'm sure I'll use this message to say a bit more about my time with the council and the challenges ahead - but that will be closer to my actual departure.

At the moment, I want to stay absolutely focused on the job in hand in what is a really critical time for the city.

We have a budget to set next week - the culmination of months of hard work and the start of many more, as we strive to protect the key services that communities depend on.

For now, I'll just say that it has been a great privilege to work for the city for as long as I have - and in some really challenging but fulfilling roles. I'll miss it and I'll miss all of my colleagues.

Every day, I work with colleagues who are innovative and resilient; totally committed to this city, and formidable leaders in their own right.

Whoever follows me will be ready and they'll have a great team alongside them.

Time to Talk

Although the official Time to Talk day was last week, it's never a bad time to think how friends, families, communities and workplaces can come together to talk, listen and change lives.

The theme for this year's campaign is 'what I really mean', highlighting the fact that the words we say don't always reflect what is going on beneath the surface.

By being honest about how we're feeling we can all help combat the stigma that still exists around mental health.

At work, that might just mean checking in with a colleague, or a chat about wellbeing over a cup of tea - and there is plenty of information available to support your conversations.

Staff can visit the See Me 'Time to Talk' webpage to get involved in mental health conversations in the workplace.

10 January 2024 - Happy New Year: the year ahead

Happy New Year and I hope that everyone was able to relax and enjoy a festive break.

I'm always very conscious that, although many colleagues are able to take an extended period of leave over Christmas and New Year, others will have worked during at least some of the holiday period.

So I want to say how grateful I am that you were ready to deliver essential services that will have made a real difference to Glaswegians over recent weeks.

The year ahead is full of challenges - we have to complete job evaluation and implement a new pay scheme; there will be a General Election to navigate.  

Other challenges, such as dealing with climate and housing emergencies, may now be part of our day-to-day work, but they are no less testing.

We also need to turn our attention back to the annual council budget, which will be set in February.

I'm sure nobody that has ever read any of my previous budget updates, running back over a number of years, will be remotely surprised to hear that is going to be an extremely challenging process.

Our finance team and every Service across the council family is working with a cross-party group of councillors right now to look at not only how we balance the books, but protect services and invest where we can.

A big part of that involves analysing the budget the Scottish Government sets for the country and what it expects of local government - and, realistically, that will continue right up to the eleventh hour.

What I can tell you is that, late last year, we were forecasting a spending gap of around £120 million over the next three years - and I think we can expect to see a budget that looks ahead over that kind of period, to give us the best chance of making strategic decisions and realistic service reforms.

Thank you once again for your continued commitment to the people of Glasgow and I will keep you updated on budget developments when I can.