Astonishingly, by the time you read this, we will already be half-way through the general election campaign.
At the LGA, we see the election as an opportunity to provide long-term sustainability to councils, deliver local and national economic growth, and support our people and places.
We will work immediately with whoever forms the next government to prioritise the services that our communities value and create a new, equal, and respectful central-local partnership – as set out in our Local Government White Paper.
It is also only six weeks since the May local elections.
We lost many hard-working local champions from across the political spectrum: my commiserations to those who were not re-elected and my thanks for their public service.
For those who were successful at the ballot box – congratulations! It is a huge privilege to be a councillor because of the difference we make to the lives of our residents, and I look forward to working with you in support of our local places.
For many councils, the post-election period has been one of transition, because the results have meant changes in political control and leadership or moves to no overall control or minority administrations.
Every council will respond in their own way and in their own local context, but it can also be helpful to learn from others’ experiences.
The LGA continues to talk to a range of leaders and chief executives whose councils have experienced changes in political leadership, and their lessons inform our extensive programme of guidance and support.
Our support programme is there to help you be effective in your role as a councillor, cabinet member or leader, and get on with delivering good local services – whatever happens on 4 July.
Until then, I will be taking on LGA Chair Cllr Shaun Davies’ duties as we work to ensure that the elections deliver on local government’s priorities for the future, and I look forward to working even more closely with you and the team here at the LGA.