Monday started with a meeting at 0800 with officers from ES and a couple of cabinet colleagues. A useful hour catching up on strategy and planning for the directorate.

This was followed at 0900 by an appointments panel for the head of adult social care. No decisions yet, but some more short listing. We also agreed the format for the interviews. An exhaustive process without doubt based on lots of good practice. I am keen to actually meet someone.

I then had a working lunch with the head of an FE College before chairing an informal meeting of cabinet members.

The day was finished off with a political meeting with my deputy and representatives from Fenland.

Home to make sure that arrangements were all in hand for the funeral on Thursday.