The LGA’s flagship political leadership programme is celebrating its 200th course.
Local politicians face multiple challenges and opportunities, from reducing budgets and reshaping services to diverse community problems, complex political alliances and dealing with the effects of COVID-19.
Developing the skills for effective local leadership is vital to ensure councillors can rise to these challenges and make the most of the opportunities to benefit their communities – which is where the LGA’s flagship political leadership programme comes in.
The Leadership Academy was established 21 years ago and is about to celebrate its 200th programme in September. Since it started, 3,152 councillors from 330 local authorities have graduated from the academy; our alumni include five Lords, 25 MPs, more than half of the LGA’s board members, 134 council leaders and 88 deputy leaders.
“Since it started, 3,152 councillors have graduated from the academy”
Running over three months, each course comprises three, two-day residential modules, covering: leadership styles and strategies; leading through relationships; managing innovation and change; and leading communities and place. The programmes are delivered for the LGA by a team from Shared Services Architect.
The Leadership Academy continues to grow in strength, and the programme is now approved by the Institute of Leadership & Management, the UK’s leading, award-winning body for leadership and management.
Academy graduates receive an approved Institute of Leadership and Management certificate and access to the organisation’s resource materials for a year.
You can find out more below – but the best people to listen to are our academy graduates.
A safe space
Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen (Con) is Leader of Breckland Council
The LGA’s Leadership Academy programme is a brilliant, safe space for local government leaders wanting to continue their development and explore leadership style.
The course is delivered over three sessions, with an initial development meeting with one of the course facilitators to understand your needs and wants from the course, along with some of your local challenges and focus.
During the programme, there are no political banners; we are all councillors, from all corners of the country, learning and developing together through the facilitators – and, just as importantly, each other.
As a leader in local government, we can sometimes feel and think that our challenges are unique to us. But through the academy, you can explore these challenges and understand that they are similar, if not identical, to others.
My course was some time ago now, but I still call upon what I developed, and I would encourage any leader, cabinet member or group leader to reach out and get themselves booked on a programme, if you haven’t already. It’s never too late!
More that unites us
Councillor Sarah Nelmes (Lib Dem) is Leader of Three Rivers District Council
As a new council leader, my attendance at Leadership Academy 198 has been an invaluable help to me.
The learning – and the opportunity, given by all the tutors and mentors, to talk and develop – has really helped me add some great ideas to my leadership toolbox.
One of the great benefits of the programme is to be able to talk in a safe place about ‘live’ issues and challenges, both with the course leaders and with a diverse range of councillors from different places and parties, and with different experiences.
Working through problems and issues with colleagues was enormously helpful. There really is more that unites us than divides us.
COVID-19 meant that we only got the chance to meet online, and that is a shame, missing out on the dinner-table and bar discussions – but I am sure we will rectify that when we finally get to meet each other face to face in Warwick for our graduation.
I would thoroughly recommend the programme to anyone in a leadership position on their council or, indeed, anyone seeking such a position.
Inspiration and support
Councillor Emily O’Brien (Green) is Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure at Lewes District Council
I found the Leadership Academy training a source of inspiration and support.
As a newly elected councillor going straight to a cabinet role, it was invaluable to have a structured way to look at how to do the role right – and to come out carrying a useful toolbox equipped with a range of effective leadership tools.
Our group was one of the last programmes before the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant a whole bunch of new situations and challenges were thrown at us. The programme could have been designed to equip us.
I have also appreciated the support from the group, which continued long after the training itself.
It was interesting how similar our problems and aspirations were, despite being such a mixed group of people, from opposite ends of the country and from different political parties.
We have managed to support each other since, via WhatsApp, and, especially in the darkest times, share a joke or two.
Learn from best practice
Councillor Joe Harris (Lib Dem) is Leader of Cotswold District Council and of the LGA’s Liberal Democrat Group
I attended the Leadership Academy shortly after becoming a council leader in 2019. It really helped me understand how I work best and how to get the best out of relationships with colleagues.
Meeting other councillors in similar positions was invaluable, as was the opportunity to learn from best practice elsewhere.
The skills I learned on the course have set me up well for my new role as a vice-chair of the LGA.
Being strategic
Councillor Jackie Taylor (Lab) is Cabinet Member for Connected and Accessible Sandwell (Transport) at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Post-pandemic, local government faces challenges more far-reaching than ever before. We have no choice but to be creative and dynamic in our approach to serving the people we represent.
That is why I am delighted to have taken part in the LGA Leadership Academy programme in 2018.
Using the learning and toolkit, I have since become a cabinet member. Now, more than ever, I reflect on my leadership style and being strategic in reaching out to the people I serve, as well as to colleagues.
Equally as important is how I fit into the scheme of things, and the positive contribution I can make to the lives of residents throughout the whole of the West Midlands, now and in the future.
The LGA knows just how to pitch a course to ensure that, as elected members, we receive the best service for us all.
I am particularly proud of meeting people cross-party; this has enriched my practice and approach in all that I do. This reinforces not only what you can get from the programme, but also what you bring to it.
Finally, the Leadership Academy programme allows you to meet experts in their field, empowering us to be ‘better than best’. I would highly recommend it.
A better councillor
Councillor Shama Tatler (Lab) is Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning at Brent Council
I was appointed to the cabinet in December 2016 and immediately wanted to develop my skills so I could feel confident in doing the role well. I took part in several Leadership Essential courses, as well as the Leadership Academy.
I can honestly say those courses changed me and gave me confidence. The tutors were fantastic, the content was engaging and challenging, and I continue to use the learning today.
Furthermore, the informal learning of meeting fellow councillors from across the country was invaluable – supporting one another, facing similar challenges in our authorities and, most importantly, gaining new friendships.
Since the courses, I have gone on to be an LGA Labour Peer and sit on an LGA board. I definitely know I am a better councillor as a result. Wholeheartedly recommend!