The changing role of Councils

To date, Councils have prided themselves on keeping their communities safe. Their leadership style has closely matched that of a parent creating safety for dependents. In the good times the relationship between Councils and the communities they support has been peaceful and mutually respectful as dependents have felt safe and looked-after. Financial uncertainty has however created some strain in this relationship.

What is needed now however is for Councils to empower their communities to take risks in order to survive the double-dip recession and the impact of an ageing population, which means a signifiant cultural shift and a need to think differently about the Council's priorities. Councils need to embrace the fact that they are interdependent on the support and creativity of the communities they have to date supported to deliver a wider variety of services to meet their own needs. Their role needs to change from 'safety-provider' to 'risk-enabler', a change not to be underestimated (please refer back to the parent-dependent analogy)!

To reduce the risk, it is crucial for Council to be humble, use a more coaching-style of community leadership and be honest, open and transparent in the sharing of information so that communities can make better informed decisions.

What would make Councils feel more at ease with the changes required? I'd really welcome your thoughts and views.

RELATED READING:

Councils' exaggerated risk aversion puts charity contracts under threat -http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2012/feb/27/councils-risk-aversion-puts-charity-contracts-at-risk

Letting go: how to set public services free from council control -http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2012/mar/14/public-services-council-control