Last tango in Bristol

摘要

To steal a well known catchphase from a TV ad campaign: 'You know when you've been "Gurneyed"'. In fact, anyone at Bristol City Council who hasn't met their new chief executive should brace themselves - it can feel a bit like being caught in a whirlwind. One thing's for certain - things are going to change at the weak-rated council when Nick Gurney fills the chief executive chair for the first time in nearly three years. Currently in the top job at Portsmouth City Council, Nick Gurney is not your average chief executive. Having come to local government from Whitehall, there is more than a touch of the Sir Humphreys about Mr Gurney. Charming but in a hurry is probably a fair description. Despite giving me his undivided attention for the interview there was more than a whiff of suspicion that he was itching to get onto his next task for the day. 'Right, we'd better crack on.' he says after a couple of pleasantries about his main task of the day - interviewing for a PA.