The news that Birmingham City Council has decided to give notice to the LGA should give all the contenders for the Chairmanship of the Association pause for thought. Many of the councils who are set to leave are sensible, thoughtful authorities and represent all shades of political opinion. Their resignations could be an indication of the start of a significant number of withdrawals.I think that the LGA faces two challenges. First, people don’t really know what it stands for. Second, it has not changed in the face of unprecedented political challenges. The whole world of government has changed in the last twelve months; from an era of plenty to one of austerity and from a philosophy of Big Government to Big Society. From one party to coalition government. And no one can be sure yet how communities, families and individuals as the full impact of these changes settles in the year ahead. The perceived failure of the LGA to move quickly and nimbly to support authorities well and lobby government effectively over this period is behind much of the member disillusion. Despite the much quoted line that local government is the ‘most efficient in the public sector’ the public believe that councils are making a meal of the cuts, and could provide better value for money. In response to this, there are some indications that the LGA recognises that this will have to be a summer of change. The election of chairman, expected appointment of a new Chief Executive and national conference at the end of June represent a series of real tests for the Association, or LG Group as it now styles itself. There have been practical moves such as the significant reduction in subscriptions. There are, at Smith Square redundancies and cuts that have rationalised the organisation, though not before time. But the real test will come next month when I would hope to see the LGA promising to do less, better with a few clear priorities rather than the dozen old and meandering goals set out in 2010. The choice of Chief Executive is also critical. Another local government Chief Executive is not the answer. Look at membership organizations that have flourished in this decade. Matthew Taylor revitalising the RSA for example. Local government needs figures who provide the inspiration and example to make people think differently, The new offer should be as sharp and credible as that offered by any significant organisation. It should put great service and value for money at the heart of everything the LGA and local authorities do. It must champion best practice and where necessary censure poor delivery. And it should be a group that people want to join. Changing the rules from a notice period of one year to a notice of three months, as a sign that a confident LGA will be judged by how well it performs, rather than whether it can hang onto memberships for 12 months in the hope that something, like an election changes minds. The alternative to the LGA is probably even worse and will would mean reverting revert back to warfare between counties, districts, mets with govt just dividing and ruling. Govt itself would recognise that there is role for a united body that provided constructive opposition when and where appropriate.Finally, There is also an onus on all of the political parties to put forward the best and brightest to serve - not just those given it to keep them happy and for a trip to London. A local government group cannot exist without Birmingham, but it is time for people to come to the aid of the cause of representing local government.
