Press releases

New centre to improve local government leadership

July 14, 2004

The new centre for improving the quality of leadership in councils in England is launched today. The Leadership Centre for Local Government, the product of two years' work by all the major partners in local government, is aimed at both members and officers and will have as its main purpose the development of the leadership capacity of local government.

Kate Priestley, whose appointment as chair of the centre was announced today, said: 'Good leadership makes a difference to all organisations and the Leadership Centre shows that local government has recognised that improving the quality of leadership in our local authorities is vital if we are to enhance the services we provide for our local communities.

'Leadership in local government has unique requirements that do not exist anywhere else in the public or private sectors - how to combine managerial and political leadership and how to provide effective leadership to the local community. The Leadership Centre will help those in leadership positions manage these distinct demands in ways that bring out the best from their authorities.'

Speaking at the launch of the centre, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said: 'The development of strong and effective leadership is one of the key challenges at the heart of central and local government's drive to improve local democracy and deliver excellence in our public services. Indeed, innovative and visionary local leadership is at the forefront of the current debate to develop a new and long term vision for local government. I welcome the contribution that the Leadership Centre will make towards this.'

Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, welcomed the centre. 'CPA has made clear the extent to which good leadership - both the political and managerial - is essential in driving forward efficiencies and delivering high-quality public services. I wholeheartedly welcome the centre and I look forward to the vital contribution it will make towards strengthening leadership in local government.'

The Leadership Centre will work with every council in England that wants to improve the quality of leadership, both among its political leaders and its managers. Authorities will be individually assessed, and a programme drawn up using the most appropriate training and development programmes available in both the public and private sectors. The centre will also be involved in developing new programmes to match the changing needs of authorities.

The centre will work closely with other successful public service leadership centres for the NHS and schools to draw on excellent examples of leadership development and encourage joint leadership action at the local level to improve service delivery. Douglas Alexander, the Minister for the Cabinet Office which actively promotes better leadership across public services, commented, 'By working together, outstanding public service leaders can make a huge difference to the quality of life of local communities. The launch of this centre enhances the ability of local authorities to access the very best leadership development.'

Colin Barrow CBE, chairman of the IDeA, pointed out one of the major problems facing local government: 'Local government is in competition for talent. To increase the pool of potential leaders, authorities need to get better at bringing on talent in their own organisations. The new centre will help develop these people, equipping them to deal with the increasing complexity of community leadership and service provision.'

Replenishing the pool of leaders is one of the centre's main objectives: 'Leaders in local authorities need to reflect the communities they represent, but we will only attract a more diverse range of talent if we invest in our staff, and make ourselves the employers of choice. That is the way we will achieve the ultimate prize - an improvement in services for the local community,' says Lorraine Pitt, head of HR at Essex, speaking on behalf of SOCPO, the society for personnel officers.

The summer will see the centre getting ready to open for business in September: a new director will be appointed in July, who will then start to build a permanent team. At the same time two pilots are being launched, in the South West and Yorkshire and Humberside, to find out how best to help local authorities improve their leadership capacities. 'The pilots will help us refine our understanding of what authorities need, look at linking up with other public sector initiatives and see how we can ensure leadership development offers meet local conditions,' says Kate Priestley.

Councillor Sir Sandy Bruce Lockhart, Chairman of the Local Government Association and Leader of Kent County Council, paid tribute to the work of all the partners whose efforts have got the Centre off the ground - they include the LGA, the IDeA, the Audit Commission, SOLACE, SOCPO and the Employers' Organisation, as well as the ODPM, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office. He commented: 'Quality leadership in local government is at the heart of a thriving democratic society, and has never been more important. The Leadership Centre will make sure we have the elected and managerial leaders we need.'

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