When thinking about the skills needed for local government we should not forget political leadership. To meet current challenges, such as delivering local jobs and economic growth, we need strong leadership for the sector and invest in the right skills.
It is tempting, in times of austerity, to cut support for councillors, but personal development for elected members is no luxury. As a sector we need to support our politicians to explore, assess and develop their political leadership skills. At the Local Government Association (LGA) we believe that great leaders make great places – and all of local government needs to play a part in supporting political leaders.
Here are a few tips to help boost leadership skills:
1. Vision
At the heart of political leadership is the politician's vision for the people and places they represent. Local leaders can tell a story of their place that enthuses people and promotes a sense of purpose and joint identity. They need to be helped to consider their aspirations for the local area and understand how they can be made a reality.
This shouldn't feel an impossible task; by building a team and getting people engaged and excited, they can make a real difference. In tougher times it is even more important to involve communities in a shared sense of purpose and optimism.
2. Confidence
On the walls of the LGA offices are the words: local government changes lives. It can make an impact and a tangible, lasting difference to local people. It has the ability and ambition to inspire and lead communities. It can make change happen instantly and with real authority, at a local level. It can drive growth and prosperity. It can promise a better quality of life, driven by localism.
Political leaders are at the heart of this ambition for local government. But we as a sector need the confidence to drive this point home to anyone who will listen (and even those who, at first, won't). If local government can't talk about the real impact local political leadership can have, then how can this potential be reached?
3. Talent
Local government is only ever as vibrant, effective and relevant as the people elected to run it. Councillors should consider how their political team reflects the community they serve. To help us get there, all councillors should be talent spotters for the next generation of local leaders. It's all about finding people who are ordinary enough to be representative, but extraordinary enough to be representatives.
The LGA's recently re-launched Be a Councillor campaign includes a guide for members on how to spot and support future talent.
4. Support
Being a councillor is a challenging, exciting experience and should also be a rewarding one. But we need to recognise that it is difficult.
Councillor should have professional support, from councils, their political parties, friends, family and of course the groups such as the LGA. This support should be tailored to politics, personality and place. Councillors are part of this national network: they should make the most of it.
Councillor Peter Fleming is chair of the Local Government Association Improvement Board
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