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A proposed leadership college for local government would help the sector attract and retain ‘exceptional talent', Whitehall is expected to be told.In a draft submission to the forthcoming rewiring the state White Paper, compiled by the Local Government Association (LGA) and seen by The MJ, the sector called for a college to equip officers and councillors with skills that reflect changes in local government, including devolution.The submission said a leadership college for local government would ‘create a coherent nationwide system for the whole of local and regional government: one that attracts and retains exceptional talent, unlocks potential at every stage of a leader's journey, and equips officer and political leaders to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world'.Senior officers' group Solace and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are understood to be working on a bid to next year's Spending Review to fund the college, which would embed the development of professionals in the sector.Solace managing director Graeme McDonald called for a ‘step change in the development of people in local government because it is out of sync from what happens in the rest of the public sector', adding this was ‘becoming more and more obvious to government'.He said: ‘If it goes ahead, it will be significant. It's going to be challenging to get it off the ground and through because we're not in an easy [financial] position but we're winning the argument.'Chief executive of Wyre Forest DC, Ian Miller, said the college would be better operating as part of existing Whitehall leadership colleges for civil servants.He said: ‘It's only by working together that senior leaders will be comfortable with whatever the rewired state looks like.'A report on local authority leadership, published by Solace at its annual conference last month, said ‘rewired' leadership required senior leaders to rethink how services were delivered at community level.Solace's policy lead for leadership Kim Wright wrote: ‘We need leaders who can operate across organisational boundaries, build productive relationships and navigate complexity with confidence and integrity.'Chief executive of Stroud DC Kathy O'Leary said the proposed college needed to provide better opportunities for continuing professional development while acknowledging the need to look beyond local government. She added: ‘You don't just become a chief executive and know how to do everything. The job changes. You can't do it alone anymore.'The Government has provided £19.2m to the LGA to deliver sector-led improvement in 2026-27, which is intended to help fund development support for current and aspiring leaders.An MHCLG spokesperson said: ‘Strong leadership is vital for local authorities to deliver the better services and outcomes their residents deserve. ‘We are working closely with the sector to consider how leadership development can be strengthened across local government, building on the support that already exists.'The LGA said members were still discussing whether or not they supported a leadership college for local government.

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POLICY AND POLITICS

EXCLUSIVE: Plans for leadership college to be put to Whitehall

By Dan Peters | 04 November 2026

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