Graeme McDonald
Director of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives
Let's begin to forge a new model of the state
Joanne Roney becomes the new president of Solace from 1 January. Graeme McDonald says that at the centre of the agenda 'will be the need to tackle inequality – between people or places, in funding, or in the distribution of power'.
Local government will continue to move mountains
Those working in the sector will be pushing themselves to breaking point to get through a difficult winter, says Graeme McDonald. 'During this time, we must also look after ourselves and our colleagues', he adds.
Now is the time to reflect, reset and reimagine the future of local government
It's all too easy to paint a bleak picture where local government professionals become the administrators of decline, says Graeme McDonald. But we should remain optimistic, as 'COVID has seen councils across the UK repeatedly step up to deliver'.
Capping the pace of change
While one part of central government is local for reorganisation and modernisation, the other cuts exit payments and blocks a major way to drive the pace of change, says Graeme McDonald.
Examining the forces that push problems downstream
The pandemic has created opportunities for learning, renewal, and new, better responses, says Graeme McDonald. The pro-early intervention arguments appear to many mere common sense, so why is investing early so difficult, he asks.
Difficult questions lie ahead for Government and the sector
Graeme McDonald says we have some important decisions to make and a challenging new future to plan for. Will Westminster fulfil its promises and cover the full cost of the crisis for local councils?
Our role will be refocused around resilience
Beyond the initial emergency response, we must ensure communities can emerge and re-establish themselves strengthened and renewed, says Graeme McDonald.
Infrastructure means more than counting cranes
Local government and wider public services have a challenge, says Graeme McDonald. How do we ensure investment in immediate preventative activities is able to compete for finite resources with investment in tangible 'bricks and mortar' projects?
Who do public servants owe their loyalty to?
Public servants' role in stewardship of institutions, publicly defining fact and sharing advice, needs updating to take account of our very different world, argues Graeme McDonald.
What will Boris do next?
The new Government will need the sector’s help if it is to stand a chance of delivering the party’s ambitious domestic agenda, says Graeme McDonald. 'But the sector can only help if it is operating from a position of strength'.
We have 'gone backwards in some respects' on diversity
In some respects the diversity of senior management in local government has gone backwards, says Graeme McDonald - and the result is 'a terrible waste of talent' in an era of recruitment shortages.
We have the power to engage people constructively in local climate emergency solutions
Graeme McDonald says the positive engagement and diversity at a Solace roundtable exploring what role the organisation might play in the climate emergency agenda 'really filled me with energy'.
Public servants must work together to navigate turbulent times
Graeme McDonald says the uncertain political waters we're in require greater emphasis on the need for genuine collaboration and on resisting the temptation to become entrenched in our organisational perspectives.
The current standards regime is not fit for purpose
The recommendations within the Committee for Standards in Public Life report on local government standards must be taken seriously by the sector and Whitehall, says Graeme McDonald.
Raising the standard
Graeme McDonald questions whether more needs to be done to promote standards and good conduct in the local government sector.
We're still growing; and so will you
Graeme McDonald looks ahead to the SOLACE conference and highlights the organisation's continued commitment to development and transformation.
Keep your eyes on the financial settlement
Business rate retention, a four-year indicative budget and recognition of spiralling social care costs through the new precept are welcome news, but Graeme McDonald has concerns about the differential impact these changes will have
Lost in translation?
SOLACE director Graeme McDonald points out how the USA views its councils, the similarities and the differences across the pond and worldwide.
Leaders need to take accountability for failure
Leaders will be measured by both the behaviours we display and the values that we hold, director of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, Graeme McDonald argues.
We are in a financial straitjacket and it will only get tighter
Director of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, Graeme McDonald, on the realities of the UK’s fiscal position.
