Ministers wish to see local government having the same strategic approach to development of its current and future leadership skills as other parts of the public service.
We are working closely with the LGA, ODPM, the Employers’ Organisation , the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and the Audit Commission, SOLACE and SOCPO to develop a Local Government Leadership Centre. The Centre, which not be a building, but a body that sets the framework for co-ordination, standards and quality assurance of leadership provision.
A steering group of the key stakeholders will shape governance arrangements and consider leadership diagnostic tools that can support CPA and other corporate assessment processes. The Centre will make links to wider public service leadership initiatives such as those for health and education.
An interim staff team is being put together and the chair and director are being recruited. A permanent team will be established by the end of 2004.