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 am writing this from the basement of Civic Hall.  I have hidden myself in a store cupboard in the bowels of the building.  This rather melodramatic measure seems to have become a necessity.  My colleagues in the communications team are stationed at various windows in the building which allow them to see people and vehicles approaching from all angles.

I’ve got them watching for TV detector vans.

I rushed down here yesterday afternoon when the alert was sounded; but it turned out to be a false alarm.  My colleagues had mistaken a window cleaner’s van for an official vehicle.  Apparently, from a distance and through the rain, the ladders on the roof ‘looked like a large aerial’.

I’m in my hiding place again now because we saw a truck with a satellite dish on its roof.  It could be innocent, but frankly I can’t take the risk.

If you didn’t read last week’s Captain’s Log you’ll probably wonder what I’m on about.  Here’s a quick reminder.  I bought a TV for work.  TV Licensing wrote to the council to say we didn’t have a licence to watch it.  I’m trying to track one down in order to keep the authorities at bay and to prevent my immediate imprisonment.  I appealed for your help – dear loyal, trusted and loved reader – through this Log.

And, you’ve done me proud.  Here is just a selection of your words of support and wisdom.

Let’s start with an email from Richard:  “There are two TVs in the members dining area and Civic Buildings are responsible for them I assume. I used to buy the TV licence for these when I was responsible for members services and the dining area.”

OK – that’s encouraging.  Good.

Now, here’s what Linda sent me:  “Before I get your hopes up, I am not in possession of the piece of paper you seek to keep you out of trouble (ahh, shame). I just want to forewarn you of the TV licensing tactics that you, or the council, may be subjected to if we can't produce the document they require.

(Oh goodness!)

”We didn't have a TV for 3 years when we moved to Derbyshire and we were harassed constantly about not having a licence. We wrote the usual letters for the first 6 months eventually inviting them to come to the house to see for themselves.

”We then received a card through the door fashioned in the style of a ransom letter with the threatening message "we know where you live". This was initially a cause of concern until we turned it over and realised that it was from our friendly TV licensing company. We took the card to the police asking them what they thought of it. They looked at it very seriously ..... until they realised it was about the TV licence - then they weren't interested.

”We continued to receive letters which we ripped up and sent back in tiny pieces - by the end of the 3 years, they stopped sending us mail.

”Apparently, our culture cannot comprehend that life doesn't depend on us pointing ourselves at an electronic box every evening - good luck with this one.”

Ah, that’s not such good news.

Here’s Claire’s contribution:  “Don't think there is such a thing as licence for the whole council but here at St George House we are "legal" in more ways than one in the fact that we have a valid TV licence that covers these premises. So if you are looking at getting it replaced with a licence for the whole council can you let me know.”

Umm, OK.  I will.  Having a licence now would be helpful though! ;-)

The final word goes to Lisa:  “I just had to say that was the best blog I have read in a long time! If there is a Chief Strategic TV Licence Procurement Manager post going spare, I would love to apply!”

Well it’s not for me to create one; but at this rate, we need this person!

Thanks for your contributions.  I feel I am now at least a couple of steps closer to tracking down a licence.  In true ‘Crimewatch’ style, several of you have independently named one specific person I should speak to, but I’m not going to name him in case he does a runner!

Onto other news now then.

The bin strike continues and is now into week three.  I won’t say much about it though; apart from the fact that my colleague and I have made it into the national press!  Last week, the Independent newspaper concluded that we ‘had orchestrated an aggressive public relations campaign’.  Praise indeed!  Shame then that the same newspaper used a picture on its website with the caption ‘[here are the] overflowing bins in Leeds’.  If you looked closely, you could just see the logo of one … Westminster City Council.

Cheeky beggars!

Finally, I had the pleasure of catching up with the council’s award winning worker Stuart Simmons last week.  He was special guest at an awards ceremony for colleagues in the resources directorate.  I had do a ‘Parkinson style’ interview with him.  It was fun and we had a few laughs too.

It was a great occasion and lots of people picked up well deserved awards.  I said at the time that it was fantastic to be there, because these kinds of events generate so much good news material and prove there is lots of great work being done in this amazing organisation we’re all proud to work for.

Congratulations if you were nominated or presented with an accolade.