Title

LEADERSHIP

We must hold onto place-based leadership

Maxine O’Mahony says: 'We must preserve place-based leadership, visible presence, trusted relationships and problem-solving. If we can combine that with the opportunities of reorganisation, we will not simply create new authorities, we will create even better places to live.'

(c) Breckland DC

For 2026, I'm reflecting on something deceptively simple. It is not headline-grabbing, rarely attracts political theatre, and will never trend on social media. Yet it's the substance of public service and the place where real, lasting change happens.

A brilliant local government director (thank you, Steve James!) recently encouraged us all at Breckland to think about ‘finding the magic in the ordinary'. And when I look at what district councils do every day, I see that magic everywhere.

Maxine O'Mahony

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