As an LGA peer, I clearly have an interest in sector-led improvement. But this week’s conference focused minds on it, but I wonder if it will focus hearts as well?
Outwith of Ofsted, we have to contend with less external inspection than under the Labour government – applying the longstanding rural principle that ‘you don’t fatten a pig by weighing it’. Gone are the requirements to file a multiplicity of plans and strategies (and didn’t we all love the entire industry that was created around the little lamented Sustainable Communities Strategy), and aside from a rash of irritatingly bureaucratic acts of ‘localism’), we are generally less pestered by Whitehall visitations than we once were.
So, we regulate, inspect and support each other to develop. This happens through informal networks, short-term secondments, through the LGID, and new social enterprises such as IESE. By and large, most people find it a useful process, which helps to drive forward positive changes in service delivery.
However, we as a sector have to get better at self-assessment, and have to allow ourselves to accept constructive critiques for what they are. We have all met officers and members who approach any sort of assessment by going into ‘transmit-only’ mode. They meet with the peer team, or the Ofsted inspectors, and launch into a lengthy and detailed statement of how great things are, and how everything is rosy.
This is a wholly pointless approach. I am very frank with external assessors, and frequently reject my own officers’ attempts to pretend to be better than we are. If we really want improvement, we must first accept that there is scope for improvement – and then be prepared to engage in a reflective dialogue about what is working for you, and what isn’t.
The role of members in this process is crucial. Nobody in the Labour local government family wants to see a progressive authority struggle. There is a very real commitment to helping each other to improve – I never cease to be amazed at the willingness of colleagues to provide advice and support.
It is incumbent upon us all to accept that support, unless we want to see the return of the CPA regime.
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Simon Blackburn is leader of Blackpool council. He tweets @CllrSBlackburn
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