Council officers are normally happiest working away in the background, leaving councillors to stand in the glare of publicity. Sue Wald, who has just retired as corporate director for adults’ social services, is no different – but she has also been leading the council’s effort in two of the biggest issues to face local government for years, one slowly growing, and one a sudden explosion. Sue’s department is responsible for funding and providing social care for the elderly and otherwise vulnerable adults – those with physical and learning difficulties. The demands on councils across the country have been ever-growing and taking increasingly large parts of budgets – so much so that the prime minister announced a 1.25 per cent increase in National Insurance contributions for every working person to try and head off what is becoming something of a crisis.
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