All council staff received this welcome message from her this morning (or all those with access to e-mail):
On my first day in post as the Council’s new Chief Executive, I thought it important that I make contact with you to introduce myself. As the local authority for Scotland’s capital, the City of Edinburgh Council occupies a unique position in Scottish local government and I feel immensely privileged to have been appointed to this post.
I have a very firm belief in the vital role that local government plays in providing key services to the public. People rely on so much of what we do to enable them to go about their daily lives. Of course, we also have an important duty to promote and develop our area and that is particularly the case here in Edinburgh. Whatever your role in the Council, I very much look forward to working with you.
As I take up my post I am well aware of the difficult financial challenges facing local government. Over the coming months it will be my priority to address these and to shape the Council so that it is well equipped to further its journey as a high performing and efficient local authority.
I hope I will be able to rely upon your support in the years ahead and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in due course. In the meantime I would like to pass on my very best wishes to you all for 2011.
SUE BRUCE
Chief Executive
I'm not sure what all that means - what is a "very firm belief in...services"?