THE leader of Sheffield Council is punch drunk.

It's not alcohol-induced, rather the emotion politicians feel following a successful election - absolute joy, a determination to change the world, a smidgen of disbelief at winning, and utter exhaustion.

Councillor Paul Scriven has launched himself into transforming the city after the Lib Dems' triumph in May's local elections.

The Lib Dems snatched power from Labour and wiped out the Tories in a victory which surprised even them. The council now has 46 Lib Dem councillors, 35 Labour and three Greens.

Coun Scriven, aged 42, is dressed in a suit but has been known to start the day in lycra leggings after cycling to work, practising what he preaches after urging commuters to leave their cars at home.

'It's about showing leadership, which the last administration lacked'

Paul Scriven

He readily answers the questions lobbed at him and waves his hands around when he gets particularly enthusiastic but his eyes show just how tiring his first 100 days in power have been.

"I'm exhausted," he admits, sipping Earl Grey tea. "I have a week off soon and I do need the break. We have made an announcement every four or five days since winning the election. We've made more changes in this first 100 days than ever before in the history of the city and nationally it's been one of the biggest programmes of change ever.

"It's shown we have the capability and confidence to change the way the city is governed."

He says he's working 16-hour days, starting with breakfast meetings with journalists and ending by emailing officers from his handheld computer at 11pm at night.

It's as if a whirlwind has hit the Town Hall. The Lib Dems took on controversial issues immediately - tackling Government ministers over the Wisewood and Myers merger, repaying Hillsborough tram gate fines, blocking plans for a wind farm at High Green and squeezing in extra pupils at Ecclesall Infant School to please parents.

Coun Scriven describes himself as "arrogant and passionate" whereas some officers would probably say his policy wish-list was unreasonable, unthinkable or impossible.

He'll raise his voice when enthused, gesture to drive home points and bash the table when annoyed. And he's made no secret of the fact that he's determined to shake up the way the council works.

He's already told business leaders that the council's commercial planning department needs a major culture change and he is prepared to take the radical step of outsourcing the department's work if that is the only way of ensuring change happens.

He said: "Why dither when you know things are wrong? It's about showing political leadership, which the last administration lacked. The city was crying out for that."

By chance, he is leading a new team of senior officers.

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