The finals of the Local Government Challenge take place at the LGA conference next week. Here, the four finalists and the six other shortlisted entrants give their views about what they have learned from entering the challenge

Name: Rosalind Thorpe

Age: 27 Current job:

Legal support officer Authority: Stockport MBC

What I have learned from taking part in the Local Government Challenge: Participating in the Local Government Challenge has helped me become more confident, and taught me to trust more in my abilities. I have also gained a greater knowledge of what a fantastic job a lot of councils are doing for their local areas, and a better appreciation for some of the big challenges they have to overcome. Over the course of the competition, I have also seen how receptive the host councils have been to new ideas. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: In the current economic climate, I think it is easier to predict the direction of travel rather than how far along we will be in two years. Having said that, I hope we will be more empowered to deliver the kind of services local communities want, the way they want them. Giving more control to service-users will help local government to be better understood, which should lead to more creative end result-focused improvements. In a different capacity, I believe it will be very important for local government to lead and represent communities on larger capital investments so that they are equipped to make the most of future opportunities.

Name: David Brown

Age: 30

Current job: Arts and creative industries development officer Authority: Mansfield DC

What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: Participating in the local government challenge has helped reshape my approach to the challenges I face at work.

I have learned to look beyond my own judgments and perspectives, and instead use every resource at my disposal to help shape a solution to a problem. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: There is no question that we are on the cusp of doing things very differently in local government. We are about to undergo unprecedented change as a country and, I believe, there will be a growing acceptance that we need to manage local budgets in a more targeted and strategic way. While local government’s contribution to cutting the deficit will mean there may be less money overall, this is an opportunity for fundamental reform. In two years time, I believe local government will have embraced the Total Place system of working as the norm. Embracing this change will mean that instead of falling into the trap of commissioning spend-led intervention programmes which has, in many cases, created overlap in the provision of local services, local areas will benefit from more say in how local resources are used and as a sector we will be more confident that we are using our resources effectively, and for the things people really value.

Name: Helen Burkhalter

Age: 23

Current job: Portfolio officer, climate change Authority: Denbighshire CC 

 What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: I never really knew I was an ‘ideas’ person before, but the challenge has really brought that out in me and I’ve been able to bring this back to my authority. I’ve learned how to think on my feet and deliver a persuasive presentation in no time at all. Also, to keep focused on the reality as well as keeping the creative aspiration alive in developing project proposals.   I’ve also been reminded when at the host authorities that local government really is an exciting place to work, with much talent. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: Perhaps local government in two years time won’t look like the radical blueprint I’m suggesting, but it will have to be different. Local authorities will have to reduce their bottom lines and this gives an opportunity for us to bring about those changes that we’ve been too scared to do before. Support services will be shared between multiple authorities, with frontline services being delivered in partnership with the private and third sector. Joint senior leadership teams between authorities will become more commonplace.

Name: Rachel Allen

Age: 28

Current job: Performance and business improvement support officer Authority: Merton LBC

What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: I have learned a lot about myself. For example, prior to undertaking the challenges I’d considered myself quite creative and imaginative. However, other contestants were stronger in this area. Rather than generating the ideas, I found I was skilled at helping make ideas practical and workable. I learned that I’m good at helping a team to work cohesively. It was great to receive encouragement about my performance in areas such as delivering presentations. I greatly benefitted from the feedback I received, which helped me develop further in areas where I have less experience, including leadership and management. I also learned a lot from the other contestants and partners we were working with during the challenges. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: I feel local government has traditionally been quite slow to respond to the market forces impacting on it, and I would hope that within two years, we will have begun to experience a change of pace. Not only do we need to be more responsive to the political and economic climates, but also to the needs of our localities. We exist to serve local residents, and must increase our capacity to meet their needs. We need to work as businesses and not as organisations – businesses focusing on locality rather than profit, but effective, exciting and fantastic businesses nonetheless, attracting the best to work for them.

Name: Jessica Woodhouse

Age: 28

Current job: Programme officer Authority: Norwich City Council

What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: I have learned a lot professionally about local government in general, the diverse range of services it provides, and how they benefit local people, as well as finding out more about the challenges facing local authorities in today’s environment. After taking part, it is clear how important working in partnership and innovative ways of working are to achieving better outcomes for our communities. I feel I have also gained an insight into what it takes to lead a local authority, as well as discovering more about my personal strengths and weaknesses. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: I think local government will be leaner, with more services and employees shared between authorities. Councils will work more closely with health, the police and the voluntary sector to enable local communities to develop their own solutions, rather than simply providing services. I think the focus on ‘place’ will continue to gather momentum, and communities will have more power to decide on the priorities for their area.

Name: Nahid Alaei

Age: 35+

Current job: Procurement category manager Authority: Croydon LBC
What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: I advanced my public speaking skills, and learned some good tips about addressing a large audience. And I became more familiar with performing in front of a camera! I was reminded of the power of and the positive and negative dynamics within teams, and what it’s like working in fast-paced teams.  The challenge was a refresher on what I did on a daily basis when I was much younger – and worked in the commercial sector. I experienced first-hand a different side to the challenges – that other public and voluntary agencies are routinely facing through their demographic, geographic or political environments. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: With the new coalition government in place, we can expect major changes in political and spending policies, reduced funding and other difficult choices about priorities. Addressing the enormous national deficit will radically affect the way councils deliver public services.    Local government will have to demonstrate value for money in everything it does. That provides an opportunity to review stakeholders and seek out collaborative projects to avoid waste and duplication, seeking out radical and entrepreneurial solutions to continue meeting statutory obligations towards local communities. Through being in touch with local people, we should support and advise the Government on what matters most at grass roots level. Local government should develop SMART ideas and solutions for existing issues facing the public and to improve public life. More than ever, councils will become leaders in delivering effective services to the local communities and businesses.

Name: Angela Holden

Age: 42

Current job: Electoral services manager Authority: Hounslow LBC

What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: I am proud of what I achieved, and overall, the challenge was a fantastic learning experience working with, and project managing, team members from other councils employed in a variety of service areas, which I would not normally have the opportunity to do. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: Budgets will be severely constrained and, at the same time, people will want better services, with increased openness and transparency. New ways of working, latest technology and shared systems will emerge, and more services will be procured and commissioned from the private and third sector jointly with other councils and other public bodies. Sharing services – and officers – will become commonplace.

Name: Antony Walker

Age: 24

Current job: Corporate policy and performance assistant Authority: Birmingham City Council

What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: I have learned a lot about what makes a good leader, the key being that I need to be more assertive in decision-making. I have also learned about less well-known areas in local government and I am now particularly thankful to those who do the difficult job of cleaning the streets after a Friday night. Most of all, I have learned that the local government of the future is in safe hands, with a new, talented generation focused on making a difference to people’s lives. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: I would hope that local government has its priorities centred on the most vulnerable in society, in particular’ the development of priority neighbourhoods. With the tight financial situation, we have to focus our support on those who need it most. This will also have the greatest long-term benefit by creating a more egalitarian society and improving mobility for those trapped in long-term poverty. I am cautious about the extent of commissioning services. It needs to be done very carefully.

Name: Von Robert Edomi    

Current job: Media and PR manager Authority: Barking and Dagenham LBC

What I have leaned from taking part in the local government challenge: I have been to and experienced the challenges faced by a number of different authorities across the country, and have found the exercise extremely rewarding and will encourage others to grab the opportunity when another challenge comes along. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: When I applied for the challenge in November last year, I said in my supporting statement that the chief executive of the future would be responsible not just for the local authority but other strategic partners such as the police and health authority. The current financial situation, coupled with severe cuts in public sector spending, has meant local government having to do things differently, including solutions including outsourcing, strategic partnering or shared services as the way forward for delivering services to residents.

Name: Michel Ngue

Age: 35

Current job: Private renting access and support officer Authority: Lambeth LBC
What I have learned from taking part in the local government challenge: I learned that those who put together a bid to host the challenge truly believed in our skills and abilities to bring fresh ideas. They regarded us as the leaders of tomorrow. I also realised how tough it is to lead a highly-competitive group with conflicting interests. When a person is leading an organisation, they have a common vision to guide them, but in a competition, they are united on the task but divided in terms of personal ambition for triumph. I was not wise enough to keep the two together, and did not emerge as I would have liked to have done. I learned how to work on strict and tight deadlines with complete strangers where we all had to succeed together while competing individually. And I also realised that to emerge as leader, I need to make myself acceptable. Leadership is not about ideas or intelligence. It is about influencing other people. We can learn these skills by observing those who thrive – as I learned. What will local government look like in two years’ time?: In two years time, creativity and innovation will be essential in local governments and councils will have to learn from the business community.