With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Melanie Dawes, permanent secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...
What was your highlight of 2016?
For DCLG, I am really proud of our new People Plan – launched in July – which sets out our new core curriculum, a great career offer, and our plans to further improve diversity and inclusion. I was also really pleased that our staff survey results rose again in November, which gives us positive momentum for next year.
On a more personal note I have been investing in my understanding of DCLG’s history. As part of this I’ve been meeting my predecessor perm secs one by one. It has been fascinating hearing about the twists and turns of our past – whether it’s the history of local government rate-capping in the 1980s, or how the Department of Transport joined us and left us again twice, once in the 1970s and once in the 1990s/2000s.
What has been the most significant change in your department this year?
Dealing with the change of government and work on Brexit after the referendum. I am proud of the way DCLG handled the transition to a new ministerial team, and the good progress we have made since July in confirming our priorities as a department.
What will be the biggest challenge of 2017 – and how are you preparing to meet it?
Moving into delivery on housing is critical for us. We are investing in professional programme oversight and stronger commercial experience in our main delivery agency, the Homes and Communities Agency. We also have to keep working closely with local government to understand their financial context, as we bring in new legislation to reform the system of business rates.
What was the best Christmas present that you’ve ever given or received?
I still remember the joy of getting a proper doll with her own suitcase of clothes when I was about eight. I was a bookish child and could never bring myself to admit I wanted one, but my mother had worked it out for me! The strangest is probably an ashtray in the shape of a Czech farmer given to me about 20 years ago by my brother Patrick. I’m a non-smoker but Patrick couldn’t resist the eccentricity. I’ve still got it.
More: Perm secs round-up 2016 – Britain's top civil servants review the year and look ahead to 2017