1 February - Simple Exodus or Stampede?

I think there have been sufficient assurances over the past week to convince me that there is no direct connection between the Deputy Director of Housing and Strategic Planning looking for another job and the StoryTeller cinema in Sidcup being in financial difficulties, but having overseen its planning she may be relieved to leave it behind.

So that’s one senior manager rushing for the door but what if I were to tell you that there were seven vacancies in the Finance Department alone?

Head of Strategy (Pensions), Head of Finance Business Partnering, Finance Manager (Capital and Balance Sheet), Finance Manager (Revenue), Finance Business Partner (Corporate), Finance Business Partner (Adults and Health) and senior Management Accountant, all on between 50 and 76k.

Interviews started last week.

Things must be getting desperate because the Chief Executive has taken the trouble of making a video to say how important those seven jobs are. The CE, a former Finance man in Bexley and other London boroughs carries a bit of finance baggage himself. At best he has been unlucky and in the wrong places at the wrong time.

His protégée who is Deputy Director of Finance has said how fantastic these jobs are although one must wonder why such “world class” jobs have proved to be so unpopular among her existing crew.

While poking around the recruitment pages I discovered that Bexley Council is honest and accountable and learns from its mistakes. Staff are encouraged to communicate clearly and be role models.

Is Bexley Council aiming to be better than the standard it admitted to in 2024? One must sincerely hope so.