This is a copy of my weekly blog which I write for work and is published on the council's intranet.  The views I express in this log are my own, professional, views as the Head of Communications but do not necessarily reflect those of the authority itself.

As they used to say in Star Wars … may the fourth be with you.

I’ve been waiting all year to use that ‘gag’.  May 4 is a cause for celebration in our office as it’s my colleague Mike’s birthday, so many happy returns to him.

You know Mike – he’s the one who sparked ‘pantsgate’ when he brought his under crackers into the office to dry on the radiator.

Anyway, enough said about that.

So, here we are then.  The campaigning is almost over.  No doubt many hundreds of innocent babies have been kissed and even more rosettes have been displayed proudly on puffed-out chests.

We’ve watched the leaders debates with interest (well, I’m sure some of us have) and we’ve seen how the three would-be Prime Ministers have performed in front of the cameras.

It means we’re down to the point in the election where (as Cilla Black’s voice over man Graham used to say) ... ‘the decision is yours!’

Well, ‘ours’ I guess really.

For me, this week is of great excitement and great importance.  Hopefully, within just a few days we will have clarity on who will provide political leadership nationally.  And, again hopefully, we will also have the same clarity for this great city of ours too.  I think that brings new opportunity – hence my excitement - but it’s also likely to bring uncertainty too.

The country is in a bit of a financial muddle (to say the least) and we know that reductions in public sector spending will be required to bring the deficit down.  That means the amount of cash we get is going to be squeezed even further.  If you thought the belt seemed a bit snug already – prepare for it to be tightened by a notch or two further.

For our political leaders (whether they are new or old) I suspect it isn’t going to be smooth ride.  They are going to have to take some tough decisions and you and I are going to have to support them throughout.

That means communications (and I’m not trying to ‘big-up’ my role or sound self important) is going to be vital.  On two fronts.   There are some very important messages to get across to our colleagues as potentially the ‘business’ that is the council has to change and adapt.  But there are also many equally important messages to get out to the people of Leeds to help them better understand what's happening and why.

I’m working on Thursday night into Friday morning as we’re expecting there will be quite a few reporters and journalists to chaperone around the John Charles centre – but even if I wasn’t working, I’d still want to be there to see what happens.

My excitement is most likely because this is the first big election I have worked from ‘this’ side of the fence.  I’ve reported on many when I worked as a journalist, but being where I am now is fascinating.

No doubt many of you – loyal readers – have been here before and have a great deal more experience of elections from a council perspective than I do and perhaps have got so used to them they simply pass you by.  So, apologies if I come across as an excited puppy and you don’t understand what all the fuss is about!

Right, onto the One Show now.

You’ll remember from last week’s log, I mentioned the fact that Arthur Smith and a film crew were coming to take a look at our plain English work.

I’m pleased to report that it all went really well. Mr Smith even caused some excitement on the 4th floor of Civic Hall when he arrived to record a sequence of him supposedly hunting for dodgy language.

The One Show’s interest in our work even came up during a discussion in a meeting of cabinet when it was mentioned by Cllr Brett.

I’m told that the film will be transmitted in a few weeks time.  I’ll let you know when once the BBC has confirmed the details.

Finally, some of your feedback from last week when I asked for comments about internal communications.  Several of you took the time to respond.

Ena in the land charges team emailed: “[On] improving internal communications, how about setting up a discussion forum accessible only to @leeds.gov.uk email addresses?”

Great idea – and there’s some tech in the pipeline from IT that would help us do that.

And Veronicka in city development sent a message suggesting we use the results of the staff survey to influence our thinking on internal communications.

It seems great minds think alike Veronicka – we’re onto that already!

More next week – once the election dust has settled.