There is no getting around it, times are tough, and in moments of crisis the leadership we provide – to our organisations, our people, and our places – takes on an even greater importance.
The many and varied economic and social challenges, on top of the ongoing pandemic response, and the knock-on impact these collectively are having on council services (and finances) are putting us all to the test like never before. The world seems to be speeding up and there aren't any signs the pace of change will slacken anytime soon with, most immediately, councils across the country facing stark choices over the services they deliver given budget constraints.
Far too often, council chief executives and senior officers must develop the skills they need to cope with these pressures while on the job and at the same time navigate the complexity of untrodden territory. This sink-or-swim approach to leadership in local government doesn't just fail the individual but the authorities they oversee and, worst of all, the communities that they serve. While it is true that experienced leaders are often happy to share their knowledge with the leaders of tomorrow, leadership development should not be left to chance.
That is why Solace has been making the case for a Local Leadership Academy, to help provide more formalised support for current and future leaders so they are better equipped to lead their organisations and cope in times of crisis.
With Government investment, Solace could move quickly to support a new generation of local government professionals taking on leadership positions now, while also creating a lasting legacy for developing leadership skills, building relationships, and ensuring a diverse range of talent across the whole local public sector in each area.
The Levelling Up White Paper recognises the fundamental importance of local leadership saying: ‘Stronger local leadership is essential to raise living standards, improve public services, and increase people's pride in place' while it also warns ‘the loss of institutional memory and capacity… has gone hand-in-hand with deteriorating economic and social performance'. Given that, and the Government's focus on driving economic growth, it cannot be right that local government is the only prominent part of the public sector that does not have significant leadership and development support from Government to ensure the people we attract and employ today are capable of meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow.
But in the absence of a Local Leadership Academy, we still have Solace Summit – a chance for senior leaders across the sector to discuss our response to the latest set of challenges and opportunities, and share ideas and innovations. If you have not already booked to attend Solace Summit in Birmingham from 11-13 Oct, it's not too late. With leadership as a major focus, it will bring key topics to life through a variety of keynotes, panels and sessions delivered by a fantastic selection of speakers spanning thought-leaders, industry experts, and visionaries. It also offers an opportunity to network and learn from one another.
While it can feel difficult to attend events like this when there is so much going on, taking a moment to step back and talk to likeminded colleagues can help make all the difference in the way we respond to the challenges, and lead our organisations, in the future.
Investing in and aspiring to achieve excellence is a common goal for all councils across all services, so why should we not seek to do the same when it comes to the very people who oversee and deliver services on the ground? As the Cabinet Secretary has said, it has "never been more important to invest in the shared knowledge and expertise of our current and future leaders and managers".
After an extremely challenging couple of years responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic outlook indicates the demands and complexities of the job will not diminish anytime soon. Investing in the very people who will help lead not just our councils, but our communities, through these turbulent times is not a ‘nice to do', it is essential. I look forward to seeing many of you at Solace Summit in Birmingham.
Matt Prosser, Solace spokesperson for Leadership & Learning, and Chief Executive, Dorset Council
