A MEMBER OF THE TRANSITION BOARD SPEAK TO PITSNPOTS!

Danny Flynn is Chief Executive of Stoke YMCA, a man who I know is passionate about local community issues and has the interests of the people of Stoke very much at heart. Danny is a member of the Transition Board being set up to "transform politics" in Stoke on Trent, and to oversee the recommendations of the Governance Commission.

In what I hope will be the first of several articles detailing the work and aims of the Transition Board, Danny tells Pitsnpots why he agreed to be a part of the Board:

"I have been asked to sit on the Transition Board which has been set up to help oversee the political changes happening to the governance of this great city. My first action as a new member is to write this piece for pitsnpots blog. I could start by listing the briefing I received from the Minister of State, but I think to pigeon hole the role and function of the Transition Board before it has met would be 'putting the cart before the horse'.

However, I think the fundamental challenge in this city is to reconnect leadership to the people. Which in my opinion has been a fundamental problem that has dogged this city since its birth, and a heritage from the days of when those clever bosses (leaders) invented “piece work” which really said to employees “you only count for what you do”. I think we all count for “who we are!”, and I think that has to be the heartbeat of the Transition Board. To help bring in the cultural changes needed in this city to help to develop a place where all individuals matter and more importantly feel that they matter.

To put it in football terms, I am a Stoke fan and was so proud when we got promoted. And to read that we are the most enthusiastic noisy fans in the Premier League, (even louder on Saturday) makes me even more proud, but I also celebrate when Vale win and want them to succeed! What happens to my neighbour matters to me!

The Africans have an expression called Umbuntu. It means “I am because you are and you are because I am”. 'We' make this city great, not 'me'. I just add my bit.

Thanks
Daniel Flynn"

I would like to thank Danny for taking the time to write this article and giving us his perspective on the Transition Board. I know there are lots of you out there who aren't happy with the introduction of this Board. What are your thoughts?