Start here

I worked for the same inner London local authority for the last 28 years as a development/local planner and took a voluntary redundancy/early retirement package at the beginning of June without any plan on what to do next. Work a little here and there? Sort out 40 years worth of accumulated books, theatre programmes, photographs and other ‘stuff’? Volunteer? Go back to study and learning new skills? Develop my hobbies? I’m in the process of deciding – OK taking a break from having to be decisive and planning anything for the moment. Though it won’t last long. One of the reason I lasted so long in my profession is having an innate desire to order my world and anticipate change so it can be managed. ( Yeah I do start Christmas lists in October.)

I’m starting this blog partly in response to a series of very interesting workshops organised by London Met’s ‘workhome’ project for Newlon residents/tenants, and partly to begin setting out some of the thoughts and experience I have from years and years of planning practice. Leaving after so long does lead to some reflection on what I did achieve and contribute to the borough as well as the council. I was pleasantly gratified by the way my service was acknowledged by colleagues through my final weeks. For someone who preferred to get the job done and stay in the background it was nice to know my contribution had been noticed.