The State of Leadership in Local Government
Effective leadership and management significantly impact public sector performance, including in local government. This report, leveraging insights from an expert roundtable, recent survey data, and case studies, delves into the performance and challenges of leadership and management in local government.
Research reveals that while local government leaders recognise the crucial role of leadership quality in organisational success, only 67% deem their senior leadership effective. Other key challenges identified were low morale, limited performance management and inadequate recruitment, with only 45% of leaders feeling confident in their organisation's ability to attract talent.
The report proposes actionable recommendations and highlights four successful examples of organisations benefiting from strong leadership and management practices.
Key research findings
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Proposed Improvements
Focus on Management and Leadership
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should prioritise leadership and management quality. Building an accurate picture of the current state and promoting the adoption of best practices can significantly improve leadership standards in local government.
10-year workforce strategy
The Department for Levelling-Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) should collaborate with stakeholders to create a 10-year workforce strategy for local government. The strategy needs to include a funding increase for councils to improve recruitment and retention of staff across all levels.
Establish a leadership academy
To aid the development of leaders and managers, DLUHC should establish a leadership academy, so that all levels of management in local government can have access to consistent high quality leadership and management training.
Diversify the workforce
The workforce strategy should recognise the wealth of experience that can come from outside the local government. Introducing a direct entry system for experienced leaders seeking a career change can bring fresh perspectives from other industries.
Browse our Policy and Research Work
Making Hybrid Work for you and your Team
The research highlights the crucial role that management skills play in overcoming the obstacles to making hybrid work.
EDI approaches that go ‘Beyond Buzzwords’
Embedding a systemic approach to Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the UK’s professions
Spring Budget 2024; CMI Submission
CMI’s representation to the UK Government’s 2024 Spring Budget.
UK Management 2030
The UK is not where it should be when it comes to the quality of management. “Management and UK 2030” shows why that matters.