THE new Labour leader of Notts County Council has said he wants to "get on" with running the council and hopes to put two key policies into place within a year.
Alan Rhodes and his party bagged 34 out of 67 seats in the May 2 election and took back the reins of the council which they lost in 2009.
And among the five pledges which seduced the electorate, there are two Mr Rhodes wants to see brought into place sooner rather than later: the living wage and 20mph speed limits outside schools.
Speaking as council staff moved tables from his old ground floor office to a new one on County Hall's corridor of power, Mr Rhodes said dawdling on these pledges was not an option.
He added: "Young families have welcomed the pledge on 20 mph on the doorstep, as well as headteachers that I have spoken to.
"They know its chaotic at times with people dropping children off and this is a way of improving safety.
"I would like us to get on with this. I don't want to talk about these things in two years time.
"I can't foresee there will be a great problem.
"I am sure we will need a consultation and I accept there's a process that will need to be gone through to make these things happen but we need to get on with it."
But whereas sorting out 20mph signs outside schools may not break the bank, pledging to introduce the living wage will have a bigger dent on finances.
Mr Rhodes wants to see all employees of the county council paid at least £7.45 an hour.
Mr Rhodes said: "Once we have seen where the pressures are and decided if there's anything we can take out of the capital budget and reduce, we will then implement it in Notts.
"I am hoping we can do it in the first twelve months of this administration or at least start to roll it out."
A key part of Mr Rhodes' vision for the future is seeing councils working together and sharing expertise and advice.
He said: "We have a very challenging period ahead of us financially, expectations are high, we have to manage those and be realistic.
"Shared services aren't optional any more, they are essential.
"There's a recognition that it's the way forward, to improve services, save money and in the long run save jobs."
But Mr Rhodes is looking forward to the challenge: "We want to get on with it and start making a difference without unnecessary delays," he said.
And so, after a few photos, we let him do exactly that: get on with it.
