WILL you forgive me if I choose not to join the orgy?
Tom Riordan has announced he is to step down as chief executive of Leeds City Council at the end of this year.
He is moving on from a job he has done for the last 14 years.
You would have thought he’d retired, or died, given the gushing comments that many rushed to post on social media.
Look, Tom is a great guy who deserves to be praised for his hard work and what he has achieved during a period which has included austerity, recession and the Covid-19 pandemic.
But it’s not like Leeds is a world class city.
Whatever the mainly public sector funded sycophants might shout.
Local and regional media’s coverage of his departure basically cut and pasted Leeds City Council’s press release.
Kim Jong Un, take note, you could learn something here, son.
“As one of the longest-standing UK local government chiefs, he has made a big impact in Leeds in his 14 years at the helm, working alongside council leaders and other senior politicians towards achieving their best city and best council ambitions,” said the council.
It went on to say: “In this time the council has been involved in attracting Channel 4, Burberry, the Bank of England and the UK Infrastructure Bank to the city, along with international events like the Grand Départ of the Tour de France. It has built the first direct arena, greatly expanded the city centre across the South Bank and worked to facilitate the openings of the Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate shopping centres.”
There are clearly many other achievements during Tom’s time in office, including supporting the city’s already strong financial sector alongside the growth of new digital, med-tech and innovation-based sectors.
Climate action and healthcare innovation have been a focus as well as work across the diverse communities that make up the city and Tom’s determination to make Leeds the most child friendly in the UK.
These are all successes I acknowledge and celebrate.
One thing the release didn’t mention at all was Tom’s involvement in the Government’s test and trace programme during Covid.
I think all involved would like to forget that one.
The press release was a little less verbose when it came to transport achievements.
The only one mentioned was the East Leeds Orbital Route.
Anyone who has attempted to drive into, around or through Leeds in recent years probably won’t be chipping in for a bouquet to send to Tom’s leaving do.
But can we hope that by the time he leaves his role at the end of the year things will have changed for the better on the roads in the city centre?
Don’t hold your breath.
The biggest problem Leeds has is that it thinks it is better than it is.
Manchester has a self-confident swagger which comes from the city have two of the biggest football teams in the world, top class hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and an ever-growing business and financial community.
Leeds kids itself that it can compete with that.
Not on your nelly.
For all that I have said, I like and respect Tom Riordan and wish him well.
I’ve known him since his days as CEO of the now defunct regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.
One of his great skills is his ability to engage with people at every level in society.
He gives everyone the impression he knows them.
He even gives the impression that he likes me.
Given all the opprobrium I have heaped on the city council, that is a skill in itself.