Diary Highlights w/c 21st May

After a week that proved to be busier and considerably more taxing both mentally and physically than even I had imagined, I'm entering my first proper week as Cabinet Spokesperson for Children, Young People and Families.
I have the usual briefings and the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. I am working through a very heavy induction programme for my new role, including a number of visits to schools, meeting the heads and other key partners to hear their views about where we are and what we do next. I also have some substantial reading to get through on children's social services before my visits begin there too.
On the ward front, there's the ward panel meeting this week, as well as a meeting with the chief superintendent to discuss last week and how we might improve our combined response to sudden illegal traveller encampments We have both identified areas for improvement and a 'post-mortem' of events will help us make better policy in the future. It would also be useful to agree a joint communication that we can deliver to local residents explaining what happened and why.
Among special interest work, I have a meeting of the Digital delivery partnership, a planning policy meeting, a couple of meetings with representatives from the Academies Trust and an employee long service awards ceremony. Pop in a couple of lengthy political meetings, the usual mix of casework and my ever present domestic duties and it looks like another busy week ahead.