I have a particular moan that (where there isn't the 'managed print service') too much stuff is printed unnecessarily in the council.

Some people have foot notes on their email signature saying 'think green, do you really need to print this message?' yet we do anyway.

I recently started using a laptop at work which isn't properly set up to print yet. I think I'll leave it that way because it's far too tempting just to hit the Ctrl and P keys.

Having said all that thank you to the colleague who neatly typed out and then printed too many copies of a document called 'wish list' on our floor.

That's because his (I think it's a man) document has given me the starting point for this week's log.  His list includes shirts with a 15" collar, boxer shorts, trainers, an iPod sock, underarm spray and 'bicycle accessories'.

Today of course is the government's emergency budget and Chancellor George Osborne may have already risen to his feet in the House of Commons by the time you're reading this. He might have even finished.

Over the last few days the media has been busy speaking to experts, commentators and business people asking them what they'd like to see from the budget. 'Give us your wish list' they've been saying.

That's easy from my point of view I'd like Mr Osborne to tell us that:

1. They've found piles of cash in a cupboard in Number 11 and 'everything is going to be alright'.
2. No cuts are necessary.

3. All local council services are 'safe' and there's no need to panic.
4. In fact, feel free to go and 'splash some cash' on stuff.

Of course, that's not even likely.

So, we're bracing ourselves for some pretty gloomy news and my team and I have been preparing for how we should react.

We've drafted a council response, but we're going to have to flesh it out as the Chancellor speaks because the actual detail of what he'll say isn't available.

At least everyone will get the news at the same time unlike last week when we were given no notice about the government's announcement regarding the scrapping and suspension of a number of capital projects.

For us it meant the Holt Park well being centre was put on hold.

May I say a big thanks to Councillor Lucinda Yeadon who has set the bar for responding to media requests for interviews.  I rang her at 2.16pm on Friday afternoon and said 'would you do me a massive favour and go on the TV for me?'  She said 'yes' straight away and only then asked what it was about.  And she didn't flinch when I said the journalist and her cameraman were already on their way and would arrive at 2.45!

That's what you call a speedy response. Well done Councillor.

We also recorded a quick audio clip of Councillor Yeadon responding to the Holt Park news, which was on the virtual newsroom within an hour of the story breaking.  This was fine for all the broadcasters who used it on their bulletins but not so great for one newspaper which said it 'didn't have the technology to play the audio' so could we 'type it out for them instead please?'  So much for newspapers embracing the digital world.

In other news I'd like to extend an 'official' welcome to Tom Riordan who began his induction programme today with a meeting with colleagues from the Planning, Policy and Improvement teams.  We posted a note on the intranet last week when Tom's proper start date was confirmed. It's August 16th.

By the time you're reading this, it's likely we will also have announced details of the newest edition to the council's senior team.  Nigel Richardson has been appointed as our new Director of children's services. Nigel currently works at Hull City Council. See the intranet news pages for more.

Finally - thank you to John Devine from environment and neighbourhoods whose sharp wit is worthy of another mention in this log.  Last week, you'll remember that I started my entry with the opening line from Gloria Gaynor's song 'I will survive'.  I suggested that my team had said 'you're back' when I returned from my leave.

John emailed to ask whether my team also said:

[We] should have changed [the] stupid lock

[We] should have made you leave your key

If [we] had known for just one second you'd be back to bother me [us].

Very amusing Mr D!

For the record they didn't.

See you on the other side of the emergency budget.  Keep calm and carry on.