STEVEN GRIGGS AND DAWN CARTER MCDONALD, REIMAGINING OFFICER MEMBER RELATIONS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.pptx

The local government landscape is reshaping boundaries between managerial and political leadership. This
session looks at shifting pressures in officer – member relations and how we might rethink them.

1. Re-imagining officer-member relations in local government Dawn Carter-McDonald, Chief Executive, Hackney Council and Professor Steven Griggs, University of Staffordshire

2. 'councillors decide, officers implement’ Increasing pressures on officer-member relations, re-shaping for many the established boundaries between political and managerial leadership (APSE, Under Pressure , 2023).  ‘councillors decide, officers implement’ means different things to different people and changes over time (APSE, Under Pressure , 2023). Comparing viewpoints: officer – member relations   Current context Roles of officer and members Relations Challenges Model Settled Accommodation Maintain traditional roles Distinct Steady Crafting flexible relations Dual Elites Stressed Collaboration Demands better partnership Interdependent Stressed dynamic Ensuring better communication Dependent Elites Frustrated Expectations Fuels unrealistic expectations Distinct Fractured Making use of expertise Detached Elites Galvanised Dialogues Galvanises relations Blurred Concentrated Increased pragmatism Indistinct Elites

3. How do we re-imagine relations? Hackney Council and its conversation to create a space of communication and dialogue. Exploring the boundaries between what we might call the ‘worlds’ of political leadership and managerial leadership, and what sits in-between or brings the worlds together. Not seeking uniformity but recognising from the outset that in everyday practices different interpretations of boundaries between ‘worlds’ are to be expected. Investigating whether it makes sense to talk of an ethos of engagement rather than a clarification of what sits in each ‘world’.

4. Capturing the knowledge in the room Are elected member – officer relations changing? Can the conventions of ‘councillors decide, officers implement’ cope with increasing pressures, multiple arenas and new demands of decision-making? Do we need to rethink officer-member relations? How might we review existing protocols ? What should be expected behaviours and modes of communication? What are the skills and training needs of elected members and officers? How might we review training ‘in’ officer-member relations?