A COUNCIL chief has taken advantage of the Big Brother bug to improve communications with his staff.

Durham County Council's new chief executive, Mark Lloyd, is keen to raise the profile of his post within the authority.

He is setting the tone for a more open and accessible style of management by using the Channel 4 show's "Diary Room" techniques.

He has established a forum on the council's Intranet titled Question Mark so staff can see what he gets up to and put questions and ideas to him.

His forum has three elements including a web log, where he publishes a journal of what he has been involved in each day.

It has an online question and answer forum, where questions and comments by council workers are published alongside his replies.

There is also a discussion forum where staff can post comments and discuss ideas and issues around topics he has set.

Mr Lloyd said: "As the new chief executive, I was keen to make my mark and I gambled that letting staff see what I get up to would help them understand what I am about and the big initiatives that this council is involved in.

"The initial reaction has been very positive, although it is a bit scary to see the number of people who are keen to see what I am doing on a daily basis."

So far, council staff have been treated to insights into the council's cabinet and its management team, as well as Mr Lloyd's discussions with Prime Minister Tony Blair.