Norfolk co

1. Norfolk Summer Conference 13 July 2010 Reputation and leadership (and elections!) Justin Griggs Head of Policy and Development National Association of Local Councils

10. Community leadership is about local councils, both councillors and officers, enabling local communities to steer their own future It promotes a partnership of shared commitment to promote a shared vision for the locality It is not traditional, top-down leadership, but involves councillors and officers using all the tools at their disposal to engage communities in making their own difference

13. So why does reputation matter?

14. Some stats, facts and stuff

15. There are around 9000 local (parish and town) councils in England….. … .spending over £500m of public money There are 80,000 local councillors , some elected but many co-opted ….. … ..representing around 16m people in England, about 1/3 of the population … ..

16. The local council sector is very diverse , the smallest councils represent under 100 people, the largest over 80,000 Over 200 new local councils have created in the last 10 years, mostly in suburban/urban areas and towns We have a legal structure, but with powers (and duties) to represent the local community, delivering services to meet local needs and improve local quality of life

18. … ..there are challenges if this is what people think about local government?

19. 80% of the population are satisfied with their local area as a place to live….. … .and 59% felt that they belong to their immediate neighbourhood But only 33% of agreed or strongly agreed that their local council provided value for money….. … ..with only 45% of people satisfied with the way their local runs things Source – Place Survey 2008

20. 29% of local people felt they could influence decisions in their local area….. … ..a figure noticeably higher in London with just over a third at 35% In last 12 months, 14 % of population had been involved in local-decision making (member of a committee or groups relating to local services, education or standing as a councillor….. … ..but only 27% of people would like to be more involved in local decision- making Source – Place Survey 2008

21. How often do the following tell the truth….. … ..24% for MPs, 28% for local councillors , 14% for politicians generally and 15 % for Government ministers

22. What about behaviours exhibited by councillors….. … .. they treat people with respect (42%), they work in interests of the neighbourhood (34%), they use their power for personal gain (32%) Source – SfE July 2009

23. Top three expected behaviours ….. … ..make sure that public money is used wisely … ..be in touch with what the general public thinks is important … ..work in the interests of the neighbourhood Source – SfE July 2009

28. What can be done to tackle this?

29. Reputation and communication core actions Manage the media effectively to promote and defend the council

30. Reputation and communication core actions Provide an A-Z guide to council services

31. Reputation and communication core actions Publish a regular council magazine or newspaper to inform residents

32. Reputation and communication core actions Ensure the council brand is consistently linked to services

33. Reputation and communication core actions Good internal communications – make sure staff and members are well informed

34. “ Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitudes and actions” - Harold Geneen

37. Is our reputation that bad? What do you do to improve your reputation? Next year’s elections - what do we need to do promote democracy – by councils, by CALC, by SLCC, by NALC?? Let’s get talking………. ……..table discussions

38. www.nalc.gov.uk [email_address] www.nalcjustin.wordpress.com Follow me on Twitter…@JustinGriggs Further information and stuff: