Leadership may be the key to the best local authorities in the country. Ben Page and Andrew Collinge look at which of their peers, local authority chief executives and leaders most admire Leadership is facing ‘the biggest change in local government since the end of the war’. So claims local government minister Phil Woolas. So who are the best leaders in the today’s local government world? Last Tuesday, Ipsos MORI and The MJ completed their first annual survey of chief executives and leaders, asking them to nominate, from among their peers, the most impressive chief executive and council leader. The results are instructive. The top places are occupied by well-known big hitters – Sir Bob Kerslake and Barry Quirk are most admired by their fellow chief executives and leaders. Reasons for choosing Sir Bob include – ‘he is leader of the Sheffield’s revival’; ‘his ability to tap into local aspirations and mobilise the wider community’; and ‘he has transformed the performance of the council.’ Mr Quirk, in second place, is praised for ‘national leadership in relation to e-government, high standards at Lewisham, and a national profile in terms of leadership and strategy. He is also a fantastic enthusiast and presenter’. Paul Coen, recently of Essex and now installed at the LGA, is joint third, with Michael Frater of Telford and Wrekin. Both are widely recognised for what they have achieved in their careers across local government. Looking at responses overall, women seem to out-perform men – relative to their numbers in the chief executive ranks. There are seven women in our survey’s top 20. Annie Sheppard – ‘she turned around Walsall when others had failed. The improvements are there for all to see and are continuing’; Irene Lucas – ‘she recognises that everyone is a part of a council’s success and works hard to create an inclusive culture’; and Stella Manzie – ‘the way she turned around a failing authority, and did it by bringing the members and staff with her, without losing her focus on service to the public’; are all among this select group – and are just, or more inspirational than the men. Among politicians, Sir Simon Milton is voted the most impressive leader in local government by a substantial margin. His peers say he is pragmatic but visionary, and knows how to provide leadership in London. He has taken Westminster out of the Dame Shirley Porter era and ‘leads a great council in trying circumstances’. The two runners-up are both from northern authorities – Stephen Houghton, from Barnsley, and from Bradford, Margaret Eaton. Both have ‘worked tirelessly to deliver change’. There is also evidence that the local government elite consider elected mayors a success. Four of them appear in the top 10 politicians – Steve Bullock, Jules Pipe, Ray Mallon and Sir Robin Wales – all of whom are highly visible. When one looks at the list, however, another fact stands out. All these people are ‘real enthusiasts for their authorities. When one speaks to them, the drive, clarity, and above all thoughtfulness, about what they do is outstanding’. So, one thing is clear from Ipsos MORI’s ongoing research – the leadership provided by the best in local government would rival that of any organisation, anywhere. n Ben Page is chairman of the Ipsos-MORI Social Research Institute. Andrew Collinge is head of local government research at Ipsos MORI Bob Kerslake, Sheffield City Council20% Barry Quirk, Lewisham LBC17% Paul Coen, Essex CC (now chief executive of the LGA)9% Michael Frater, Telford and Wrekin Council9% John Foster, Wakefield MDC8% Annie Sheppard, Walsall MBC (now moving to Southwark LBC)8% Peter Rogers, Westminster City Council8% Stella Manzie, Coventry City Council6% Irene Lucas, South Tyneside Council6% Simon Milton, Westminster City Council28% Stephen Houghton, Barnsley MBC15% Margaret Eaton, Bradford City Council9% Steve Bullock, Lewisham LBC9% Merrick Cockell, Kensington & Chelsea8% Jules Pipe, Hackney LBC6% Ray Mallon, Middlesbrough Council 6% Robin Wales, Newham LBC 6% Dorothy Thornhill, Watford BC 6%
