I am writing this column with the LGA annual conference in Birmingham taking place around me. The mood here is very evidently upbeat. We must find a way of keeping this mood going to make a real difference in local communities.
I have said in this column before that local government is as much a part of the constitutional arrangements of our country as central government, and we have another great opportunity to demonstrate that – nationally, regionally and locally.
However, the fact remains that we have developed a boring image, despite the best efforts of local councils to engage with local people and promote their services.
We have not exactly conquered hearts and minds.
During the conference, I reflected on this while sitting on the platform during Tim Smit’s presentation. He is the Netherlands-born businessman behind the Eden Project.
I must admit to bias here – I very much wanted him to participate, having been captivated by his message before. It is evident that his Cornish attraction has a more exciting and positive image than many councils, but it is his ability to think outside the box which impresses me most.
There can be little doubt that Mr Smit is unconventional. As we waited to go on to the platform, he queried the decision of Richard Kemp and I to wear ties – of no practical use whatsoever, according to him.
But then, he is never likely to be accused of sartorial elegance.
Much more importantly, as expected, he challenged our conventional business culture and attitudes. We can debate whether or not his principles can be applied to large publicly-accountable and democratically-run organisations, but if we are up for change, we ought to do it – and radically.
For me, his most challenging notion is his refusal to work with negative people. There is a subjective element to this, of course, but the concept is worth grabbing.
Local government staff are local people, service-users and taxpayers, too. If they promote a positive image, they act as ambassadors and eyes and ears of the council in local communities. I wonder how many of them are critical of their employer in local conversations?
The adversarial nature of local politics can create negativity. But when the positive approach is emphasised, it may help reinvigorate local democracy too.
If we are to achieve that, the upbeat mood at the LGA conference may really be sustainable. n
Protecting the public realm without shutting it down
As Martyn's Law approaches, this free special report from LocalGov and Hill & Smith sets out how councils can protect public spaces without shutting them down.
