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.

I’m submitting my Log from the train this week, so it’s going to be shorter than usual.

I’m off to Stockport because I am speaking at a national communications conference about leadership.

The subject is ‘leading a communications team in the heat of publicity’.

I’ve been asked to be there because the conference organiser said that he ‘had heard that we might have a bit of an issue on at the moment’.

I suspect he was talking about the bin strike.

Well, the irony is that what was the ‘heat of publicity’ last week (and the previous 10 to be honest) has suddenly cooled down to a bit of a simmer, given yesterday’s news that the strike is coming to an end.

I’ll have to mention this in my speech – I wouldn’t want the delegates to be under false pretences.

I’ve recorded a video with Andrew Mason, the chief officer for environmental services and Councillor Richard Brett.  In it they reflect on their experience of the bin strike and talk about how important communications has been.  They’re also pretty frank about what they expect from their comms leader!

Gulp!

Anyway, I know at least one colleague is also going to be there today, but I’ve told her she’s not allowed to sit in the front row and throw rotten fruit!

On a different note - I was lucky enough to be invited to the council’s recognition awards night at the Town Hall on Friday.  It was a fantastic evening.  Everyone scrubbed up really well and it even had an air of ‘showbiz’ about it, too.

The best bit was listening to the stories behind the people winning awards and what had been written about them on the nomination forms.

There were loads of tales of people going over and above the call of duty, showing huge dedication to the job and working hard to make a difference to the people and communities they worked in.

There was enough material to fill up the virtual newsroom for a year.

It proves – yet again – that there is an amazing amount going on in this authority and many of us probably don’t realise it.  All you need to do is scratch the surface and that’s where the hidden gems are sparkling.

I’d like to send my congratulations to everyone who picked up an award on Friday and to all the nominees as well.

Your achievements are well deserved.