SOLACE president, Mark Rogers, announced at its recent Summit that the society would be working with other professional bodies to develop an ethical code. Professional leaders in local government should welcome such a move.

Seen in the wider context, this is part of a rejuvenated, confident local government community determined to play its part and claim its right. That confidence stems partly from our experience over the last four years.

We have out-performed and out-reformed other public services, demonstrating that sound, progressive and thoughtful local leadership works in a way that central government command does not.