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Few chief executives have left their authority only to later return as an interim. Professor Steven Broomhead, one of the country's experts in regional economic policy, is one. After being chief executive of unitary Warrington BC he left to head the then North West RDA, only to return to his old council nine years later. Talking of his reaction on entering the civic centre in July 2012, he recalled: ‘It was surreal coming back to the same office. ‘Of the 57 members, 34 were still here from when I was last here in 2003. ‘I'm not operating any differently as an interim. ‘I'm enjoying it the second time round. ‘I'm happy here but the decision as to how long I stay isn't mine.' Professor Broomhead continued: ‘What's altered is the policy environment. ‘There's a lack of trust by civil servants, plus money pressures. ‘We've got a low council tax base and services were already on a shoestring before the cuts, which took £40m out of the budget in four years. ‘We've taken out the low-hanging fruit. ‘Now we're looking at sawing off the tree.' Last June's Spending Round means 12.5% extra off the revenue budget for 2015/16. Professor Broomhead added: ‘We'll have to make big decisions about what services to keep. ‘Libraries and leisure are now in a separate community interest company and we're looking at a social enterprise model for adult care.' Professor Broomhead believes that while in five years' time the ‘core will still be recognisable, it will be more of a commissioning council with a smaller workforce'. He said: ‘I hope it'll have a sharper definition of its role and it should be better connected to its citizens through ICT.' A former academic, Professor Broomhead manages to combine the chief's role with a dizzying array of other positions. He is on leave as chairman of entrepreneurial education at Liverpool Hope University, governor of the University of Central Lancashire, non-executive chairman of a recycling firm, chairman of the health and wellbeing board, non-executive chairman of the Chester Renaissance regeneration partnership and and non-executive chairman of Warrington Wolves. In 2007, the University of Chester named a library after him while Warrington has a low carbon bus named Steven Broomhead in recognition of his work in transport. He was chief executive of Warrington from 1997 to 2003 and, before that, a college principal. Professor Broomhead said the council had always taken an active role in helping local business. The council has a public-private partnership, Warrington and Co, and has even given loans to three local registered social landlords to develop affordable housing. Professor Broomhead became chief executive of the North West RDA in 2003 until its abolition and regrets the wholesale axing of the RDAs, believing that at least those in the North West, North East and West Midlands should have been kept. He continued: ‘I don't believe ministers will save as much as they thought in abolishing the RDAs. ‘Every pound invested by the RDAs got a return of £5.50 and their audit regime was very strong.' But Professor Broomhead does not believe a Labour Government would re-introduce them. He also has reservations about their successors, the Local Enterprise Partnerships, although believes lately they have become more productive. ‘Before Lord Heseltine's report [No Stone Unturned] the LEPs were questionable. ‘Since then, there's been some rethinking. ‘They can make a good contribution to business growth, as they do in Lancashire. ‘Civil servants have no experience of appraising bids which had previously been done by RDAs. ‘They should have given LEPs more influence over bids which they now, finally, are doing.' Professor Broomhead also believes city regions will help drive the growth agenda though other towns and cities can also make a key contribution. Warrington, for example, is an associate member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, now part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. But, overall, Professor Broomhead believes the real driver to regional growth is the state of the economy, adding: ‘The Government's influence is very limited. ‘It is market recovery which is the key. ‘Most of the growth in Warrington has come from the private sector.' Professor Broomhead is baffled as to why the Government did not intervene where it could have influence by rolling out unitary authorities. He explained: ‘I don't understand why the Government hasn't been more aggressive and come up with unitary solutions. ‘It could save millions. ‘I live in Preston. ‘Lancashire has two unitaries and 12 districts. ‘It's a bonkers way of organising them. ‘Why the Government doesn't open up the question beats me. ‘I'm still amazed there are 32 London boroughs.' Perhaps the Government has decided there is already enough on the plate of town halls. As Professor Broomhead concludes: ‘It's a punishing agenda for local government but you have to remain optimistic and deliver.'

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FINANCE

Professor's 'surreal' return to council

By Michael Burton | 02 October 2013

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