Perhaps the most emotive word in the local government lexicon – particularly when we are emphasising their shortage. This is always bought into sharp focus when money is tight. This period between the CSR Settlement for 2008/11 announced in October, through to budget setting for next year, will cause many a worry for Councillors and senior officers alike.
All this was put into stark relief for me recently during a ministerial meeting. A chief executive had just given a positive and inspirational message about the effects of migration and the value of diversity in modern communities. I tried to make an intervention. ‘You want to raise resources?’ he said. ‘No I wanted to make another point entirely,’ I answered him. ‘You usually want to talk about resources,’ he said.
So much for stereotyping me! I suppose working for local government’s lobbying organisation means we are perceived as pressing for extra resources whenever they are needed or justified; our members would expect nothing less. There is no doubt the public sector has had a good deal in the past few years, but the Government’s priorities of the NHS and schools have, if anything, piled the pressure on local councils. There can be no doubt that the current financial settlement is very tight indeed.
But if the term ‘resources’ is such a watchword we need to be careful how we use it. Of course the money available is important, but it will always be finite and short of aspirations and expectations. We must offer the general public optimum value, but it is as important to nurture human resource. Services provided by local government are still predominantly delivered by people. Our community leadership role depends on accessibility, customer focus, effective delivery and skilled advocacy. Local government staff should be ambassadors for councils in serving local communities. Local people should value them for making a difference
So if resources are really important we must invest in, train, reward, value our staff and plan to ensure local government is an attractive career choice for the next generation. I am happy to emphasise that to all government ministers.
John Ransford is deputy chief executive of the Local Government Association
