Jamie Hailstone meets the boss of Telford and Wrekin, a man with a mission to get his authority involved in all aspects of local life, including football
The beautiful game has a special place in the heart of Telford and Wrekin Council’s new boss, Steve Wellings.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers fan likes nothing better than to cheer on his favourite side every week – and he has also played an important part in the council’s growing partnership with local football club Telford United.
Steve was the council’s director of resources before stepping into the shoes of the chief executive when previous incumbent, Michael Frater, left for the top job at Nottingham City Council.
With a four-star rating, an award from The MJ, and low council rates, Telford and Wrekin is in the local authority Premier league.
He explains: ‘What makes a good chief executive is the ability to gain the respect of the community at all levels, and not just the people we work for.
‘The ideal chief executive has to earn it. It’s not something he or she can just get by having pips on their shoulders.
‘A large amount of it is integrity. We must be approachable. We have to show an appropriate sense of humour. And we need finely-tuned political antennae.’
One of the things Steve is most proud of is the council’s partnership with local side AFC Telford. The council has played a leading part in its renaissance over the last few years. Telford United Football Club went into liquidation in May 2004, but was reborn with help from a council-backed supporters’ trust.
‘What we have done is put a partnership alongside the football club, which will engage with all the public sector agencies,’ says Steve. ‘I was down there last night and the youth team were playing.
‘The club have a ladies team and a reserve team. We own the ground and have leased it to the supporters’ trust.
‘We have built a learning centre at the club and what we are trying to do is put 8,000 young people a year through it.
‘I don’t think there is another local authority in the country which has been cheered by football supporters at a match. It’s what councils should do. It’s about community leadership.’
Steve has more than 30 years’ experience in local government, having also worked for Coventry, Wolverhampton and Birmingham City Council.
It was while he was at Birmingham City Council that Steve helped organise a G8 summit, and met the-then US president, Bill Clinton.
Steve is still a trustee of the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and sees Telford and Wrekin playing an important part in the city region.
But he thinks the local level is equally important.
‘We are heavily parished here, and I think we have not paid enough attention to what the town and parish councils have to offer. ‘If you are a chief executive in local government and you don’t believe in democracy, then you cannot do your job properly.
‘I enjoy giving something back. The real reason we are here is to make a positive difference to people’s lives.’
Like many chief executives, Steve is fiercely passionate about his council and the community.
He makes a point of always wearing the council logo lapel badge on his suit jacket.
But Steve is not taking anything for granted. He says: ‘We have got a national reputation and we have got a good regional reputation – but I don’t think we have the local reputation we deserve.
‘We have the lowest council tax in Shropshire, by a long way. We are the only four-star unitary in the regional. We won the Best Achieving Council of the Year Award from The MJ last year, and I don’t think local people appreciate the strengths we have to offer.
‘It’s partly because we have not done enough to stress what we are doing.
‘It’s staggering how much we are doing for an authority of our size.’
The Wolverhampton Wanderers fan likes nothing better than to cheer on his favourite side every week – and he has also played an important part in the council’s growing partnership with local football club Telford United.
Steve was the council’s director of resources before stepping into the shoes of the chief executive when previous incumbent, Michael Frater, left for the top job at Nottingham City Council.
With a four-star rating, an award from The MJ, and low council rates, Telford and Wrekin is in the local authority Premier league.
He explains: ‘What makes a good chief executive is the ability to gain the respect of the community at all levels, and not just the people we work for.
‘The ideal chief executive has to earn it. It’s not something he or she can just get by having pips on their shoulders.
‘A large amount of it is integrity. We must be approachable. We have to show an appropriate sense of humour. And we need finely-tuned political antennae.’
One of the things Steve is most proud of is the council’s partnership with local side AFC Telford. The council has played a leading part in its renaissance over the last few years. Telford United Football Club went into liquidation in May 2004, but was reborn with help from a council-backed supporters’ trust.
‘What we have done is put a partnership alongside the football club, which will engage with all the public sector agencies,’ says Steve. ‘I was down there last night and the youth team were playing.
‘The club have a ladies team and a reserve team. We own the ground and have leased it to the supporters’ trust.
‘We have built a learning centre at the club and what we are trying to do is put 8,000 young people a year through it.
‘I don’t think there is another local authority in the country which has been cheered by football supporters at a match. It’s what councils should do. It’s about community leadership.’
Steve has more than 30 years’ experience in local government, having also worked for Coventry, Wolverhampton and Birmingham City Council.
It was while he was at Birmingham City Council that Steve helped organise a G8 summit, and met the-then US president, Bill Clinton.
Steve is still a trustee of the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and sees Telford and Wrekin playing an important part in the city region.
But he thinks the local level is equally important.
‘We are heavily parished here, and I think we have not paid enough attention to what the town and parish councils have to offer. ‘If you are a chief executive in local government and you don’t believe in democracy, then you cannot do your job properly.
‘I enjoy giving something back. The real reason we are here is to make a positive difference to people’s lives.’
Like many chief executives, Steve is fiercely passionate about his council and the community.
He makes a point of always wearing the council logo lapel badge on his suit jacket.
But Steve is not taking anything for granted. He says: ‘We have got a national reputation and we have got a good regional reputation – but I don’t think we have the local reputation we deserve.
‘We have the lowest council tax in Shropshire, by a long way. We are the only four-star unitary in the regional. We won the Best Achieving Council of the Year Award from The MJ last year, and I don’t think local people appreciate the strengths we have to offer.
‘It’s partly because we have not done enough to stress what we are doing.
‘It’s staggering how much we are doing for an authority of our size.’
