MEMORANDUM
Department of Synergy Coordination
Ref: DSC/MIN/OBS/001/80
To: A. Cavendish, Acting Perm Sec
From: C. Astley, PPS designate
Date: 21 January 1980
Subject: Minister's First Day in Office: Briefing and Action Items
Mr. Cavendish,
I respectfully submit the following report on Minister Hyde's arrival today (21/01/80) and subsequent actions:
1. Arrival and Escort:
The Minister arrived at the Whitehall entrance at 11:08 and was escorted by me to his third-floor office (Room 305).
The office environment (Note: East Wing, third floor, still warming slowly; backup fan heater activated) was introduced as planned. The Minister understood the unadorned state and made no immediate decorative requests. His only specific request was for a large wipe-clean board to be installed in the reserved area to the right of his desk, near the window, with ample space for movement.
2. Office Layout Adjustment Execution:
The wipe-clean board (1.8m x 1.2m), along with associated consumables (marker pens, eraser), was installed by 13:45.
The Minister has begun using the whiteboard (specific content unconfirmed).
The remaining layout will be adjusted to 'Whitehall standard' by tomorrow (minor adjustments to filing cabinet positions, telephone cable tidying, etc.).
3. Meeting with you:
The meeting took place around 12:00 in Rm 305.
Process Summary: The Minister displayed significant surprise regarding your identity (and possible past associated appellations). A preliminary (and somewhat tense) exchange regarding departmental function, authority, and working methods took place between both parties.
You presented the draft first-week schedule (DSC/MIN/SCHED/WK1/DRAFT) to the Minister, with particular emphasis on the whiteboard installation item (executed).
The Minister accepted the draft schedule, making no immediate amendments, but exhibited strong emotional reactions (primarily concerning departmental positioning and communication style).
4. Subsequent Arrangements:
Tomorrow's schedule (22/01) has been briefly reported to the Minister as per the draft: Morning: Review preliminary departmental terms of reference (prepared); Afternoon: Brief meeting with seconded Private Office staff (time confirmed), initial policy discussion with you (time to be confirmed).
Wednesday's (23/01) 15:00 Inter-Departmental Information Sharing Liaison Meeting (IDISLM) room (Rm 210) has been reserved, and a draft meeting agenda will be submitted for your and the Minister's review tomorrow morning.
Lunch: The Minister chose to have a simple meal in the office (sandwich, arranged by me from external procurement).
5. PPS Appointment:
As per your instructions, I presented the Cabinet Office PPS candidate list to the Minister during the escort, and introduced myself, highlighting my cross-departmental experience (Trade and Industry, Defence, Treasury, Cabinet Office) and policy coordination background.
The Minister did not explicitly confirm the appointment but seemed receptive. I will proceed with PPS duties, pending the Minister's formal confirmation. (Note: Minister has not yet explicitly confirmed appointment. Please advise if a reminder is required for him to review other candidates.)
6. Observation and Pending Items:
Minister's working style emerging: preference for visual aids (whiteboard), active mind, direct in speech, displays impatience with bureaucratic procedure (requires guidance for adaptation).
Key focus needed on Minister's feedback and expectations regarding the IDISLM agenda.
The connecting door key is being held as per your request. The Minister did not inquire about the key or express a need to use the annex immediately.
Security protocol documents have been placed in the Minister's In-tray.
7. For Your Instruction:
Is follow-up clarification or reassurance to the Minister required regarding specific aspects of this morning's meeting (e.g., address, communication tone)?
Proposed invitation list for IDISLM (draft appended), please review and annotate.
Budget allocation has not yet received written confirmation from the Treasury. Temporary procurements (whiteboard, stationery, etc.) have been covered by Cabinet Office funds, requiring a subsequent clearing path.
This concludes the first day's briefing. I will ensure tomorrow's schedule proceeds smoothly and continue to observe and record the Minister's habits and requirements.
Cyril Astley
Handwritten annotations (margin):
You have taken up the role; tacit approval is the most efficient kind. Filed as tacit approval.
Allow the tension to settle naturally; this was a necessary calibration. Maintain professional distance, focus on duties. Address as Minister prefers.
Proposed invitation list: remove Northern Ireland Office; rest as per usual. Agenda to use 'support/service' phrasing, avoid 'coordination/control'.
I will speak with the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury tomorrow regarding budget issues.
Record whiteboard usage patterns. Note its tolerance for 'non-objective information' in inter-departmental meetings.
Execution was excellent.
A.C. 21.01.80
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