‘Public service is a privilege to have the chance every day to make a difference. The greatest gift that any of us can be given is the opportunity to lead lives of purpose in public service – to know that by our efforts others stand taller’.

These words, from Michael Gove during last year’s Ditchley Lecture, described the gift of public service and its long-lasting value to the nation.

Throughout the last 12 months those individuals have been put under even more pressure than any of us could foresee. Councils are well practiced in responding to emergencies and disasters. Yet the global pandemic has created not just a set of multiple crises at work, but simultaneously challenged every household. It has been all encompassing and overwhelming.