As a football fan I always scoff when I hear about clubs with ‘big plans’.
For one thing I’ve always been suspicious of plans that haven’t got anything to do with construction. People are too inconsistent and events too unpredictable for them to hold much weight. ‘The government plans to eradicate child poverty… the government plans to build three million new homes by 2020…’ Even more far fetched is the Liberal Democrats’ ‘plan’ for Britain to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
I’m sorry, that’s not a plan.
Last week Chelsea planned to win two UEFA Champions League trophies in the next few years. Today they parted company with Jose Mourinho their manager. Was that part of the plan? I think not.
Has the word ‘plan’ become merely a cover for the word ‘aspiration’? The government could change three times between now and 2020 so how can it possibly be held to account for failing to carry out its ‘plan’?
I like simple plans. Yesterday, I planned to buy a new inner tube for my bike and repair a puncture. I knew where to buy one, I had enough money, I managed to find the time. My plan still nearly failed however, because I am a useless mechanic and lose every nut and bolt shortly after removing them. But I came in within budget if a little later than I had forecast. I felt great... a real achievement!
Plans such as Cambridgeshire Council’s The Big Plan for children’s well-being are laudable in their intent and show the council’s commitment to a better quality of life for its young people, but how can they really be plans? How, for example, can a council plan for a child to be healthy? The council can provide play areas and sports but it’s up to the individual whether he or she uses the facilities.
Maybe I’m overly concerned with semantics; hopefully I’m not just being cynical. What do you think, have plans been hijacked by the PR fraternity? Heard about any daft plans lately?