• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Is it true to say that Ken Livingstone believes in a democratic, accountable and transparent system of government? Would that be fair enough?

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

And does that then feed into their appraisals?

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

So you were well aware of his mind. Can I just move on to my final issue which is about your role in terms of managing what goes on in the second floor Papal court, or whatever it is? Could you tell us how many formal management supervision meetings you aim to have with each of the senior policy advisors during the course of a year?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

You talk about the huge burden that falls on the Mayor's sole shoulders and that you are important to him because you help him to carry that burden. Isn't the real problem that the Mayor has to do with his non-membership of any of the mainstream political parties? He's here as an independent and he cannot actually rely on any of the political groupings to help him shoulder the burden in the usual accountable, transparent way. He has to rely on people like you precisely because he has no relationship with any of the other political parties here.

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Is everything functioning perfectly now? How do you think things should improve in terms of the way the Mayor's office works and your role within it particularly?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Okay, so you help set the thing up and those teething troubles were sorted out. You're well paid, Londoners would think, out of their money, to do a job. We're trying to see whether you're doing a good job. What difference do you think you're actually making, you personally, that Londoners perhaps would notice?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Thank you, Simon. I want to give you full opportunity to shine because what emerges from the discussion so far, what we've focused on, is the process by which the office functions and the decisions that are taken. What emerges is a very central role for you as filter of lots of advice, controller of the diary, and so forth. That risks having you in the position of a shadowy figure operating in the background without transparency in the public seeing what you're up to. Could you just tell us what is the thing that you're most proud of having...

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

While you were operating while the Mayor was on his holidays in Australia, how often did you communicate with the Mayor?

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

And is that on the basis of a framework of decision parameters that you've been left with by the Mayor, or is that on the basis of regular communications with the Mayor while he's away?

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

So while he's away, you sign the decision forms?