FOR those not initiated in the mysteries of our council, executive officers under the chief executive run council services.

Major decisions and policies are set by the cabinet of ten councillors, under the leadership of council leader.

So, you think, department officers follow the policy guides of cabinet?

The answer to this is yes, and no. Officers after all “advise”.

Cabinet councillors are guided by what officers tell them is possible, appropriate, and affordable.

Anyone from the generation steeped in Yes Prime Minister will know what I mean.

The PM, always thinking he is in charge, making great decisions, was all the time being steered by his cabinet secretary – Sir Humphrey.

As for BCP this week, it is very sad and very unseemly that the Tory group pushed out the Alliance following a vote of “no confidence”.

So much huge waste of time at the most difficult of times with now many months of council disruption.

For my money the Alliance has done a great job. Great people putting in heart and soul and at the most enormously pressured times.

Not only a brand new 500,000 council to be pulled together, but this on top of the first world epidemic in a hundred years.

Hugely exhausting challenges, for the cabinet, and officers.

So well done Councillor Vikki Slade and your team. You have much to be proud of.

We will see now how the dark forces get on this winter with raging virus along with Brexit destruction of UK-EU trade.

We will see if the new administration are as super clever as they think they are managing a huge council with severely limited funds, massive daily pressure, a hundred Sir Humphreys “advising” what best to do.

STUART MARSHALL

Alexandra Road ,Parkstone, Poole