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Life is not dull in local government at present, is it? It is very apparent that all councils are going through a substantial period of change, and many seem to fear the future of local services. However, that is not in my opinion, a view to which we should subscribe. Whatever happens to the levels of government grant we all receive, there are opportunities to review what we do and refocus, if we haven't done so already, on what is important to the communities we serve. Paul Lankester is chief executive of Stratford-upon-Avon DC It is sometimes said that local government is risk-averse, but is this really the case? Over the past few years, lots of innovation has been delivered by councils, such as strategic alliances between two authorities, sharing services, and trying different ways of operating services to provide better value for money. The challenging budget situation now gives us all the chance to carry on this track record of changing the way we operate to meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors to our areas. Taking calculated risks will have to be the norm, but there will much less capacity available to ‘play at' options for which there is no real support. Officers and members must work even closer together than they have in the past to achieve this. Absolute honesty will be required among interested parties to make the required, difficult decisions, and to overcome issues and concerns with the minimum of disruption. There can be no place for unspoken ‘elephants in the room'. Excellent communication must be practised by all, but with the emphasis on listening rather than talking. It is, without doubt, that councils will also have to be outstanding advocates on behalf of their communities, and that must go hand in hand with ensuring services are prioritised according to local need. Supplement this with learning from others in the local government family, and we have the opportunity to make even better use of taxpayers' money. The Government is clearly stating that localism is at the heart of its agenda. And whatever pronouncements we interpret from government ministers as being contrary to localism, we must not lose sight of delivering what is best for the communities we serve. Then, and only then, can we claim to have successfully delivered in this brave, new world. Paul Lankester is chief executive of Stratford-upon-Avon DC

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WHITEHALL

District View

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