After 43 years in local government and over 11 years as a section 151 officer, which finished on March 31st, what words of advice can I give to an aspiring finance chief? A tricky thing to think about. Well, here are a few not so random thoughts based on tracks from my retirement play list which perfectly sum up my advice to current and future section 151 officers.
Money (Pink Floyd). Obvious really, but that’s what the job is all about. A sound grasp of finance is essential to delivering a balanced budget and doing the job well.
Eight Days a Week (The Beatles). It often seems that being the section 151 officer — particularly if your remit includes the add-ons of property, IT and such other stuff that the chief executive reckons best fit with you — needs eight days a week in order to do the task completely. Clearly it doesn’t, it just feels like it. Remember that in local government the money comes first: without a grasp of that you can’t do the rest.
Whatever You Want (Status Quo). You might not agree with this, but being Section 151 involves, subject to the tests of legality and affordability, giving elected members the option and ability to do whatever they want. After all, they’re the ones who determine the priorities for a council, not us. Just remember: “They pays their money and takes their choice.”
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel). Yes, part of the job is to smooth the relationships between chief officers themselves and sometimes members as well. In difficult times, you need sometimes to be the bridge over troubled waters to keep them calm, although you need to be aware of the bright spark who might set fire to the calming oil that you’ve poured on them.
Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who). Very simple: learn from your own mistakes and experiences and those of others, and don’t get fooled twice. Also remember: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss” is a song lyric not a truism.
The Times They Are A-Changin’ (Bob Dylan). The world of local government is very different to when I started in 1973 — we looked after sewers and health centres then. It’ll be different again in five, 10, 30-years time. Change happens, it’s part of the job, so, “you better get swimming or you’ll sink like a stone”.
Hi Ho Silver Lining (Jeff Beck) & Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival). I’ve paired these two songs together as you’re bound to have moments of both optimism and pessimism. Hopefully more of the former than the latter. The key thing to remember is that tomorrow is another day.
Alcohol (The Kinks). The consumption of which, although not essential, does assist in achieving all of the above. It’s amazing the problems that can be solved over a pint, or a glass of Rioja, both with officers and members (NB: I accept this may not be practicable in all situations).
I could have added a few other comments around the themes of Paranoid (Black Sabbath), When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin), Pretty Vacant (Sex Pistols), Don’t Look Back in Anger (Oasis) to name but a few, but I’ll leave you to consider the meaning of those tracks. I’ll leave you with the one I’m personally going to concentrate on the most …
California Dreamin’ (Mamas and Papas). Retirement.
Chris Buss is the now retired former finance director and deputy chief executive at Wandsworth Borough Council.
