The Leadership Practitioner Forum is a network for aspiring Chief Executives, Directors and Heads of Service led and supported by the Improvement Service with current local authority Chief Executives.
The Leadership Practitioner Forum is a network for aspiring Chief Executives, Directors and Heads of Service led and supported by the Improvement Service with current local authority Chief Executives. It is led by Pippa Milne, chief executive of Argyll and Bute Council and Solace Lead for Leadership.
Leadership Practitioner Forum events that focus on the anchors and associated workstreams of the transformation programme, bringing colleagues together to explore topics and challenges, while the wider Forum provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of the transformation programme and how it can progress.
Getting involved with the Leadership Practitioner Forum is a great way to ensure that this radical transformation programme aligns with the priorities of your council or Community Planning Partnership (CPP).
Forum members can expect to:
- Support leaders to capitalise on their professional agency and lead courageously
- Generate ideas and energy for the anchors and associated workstreams, expanding our thinking
- Build collective solutions
- Inspire and motivate colleagues to progress their ideas
- Network and build relationships with colleagues across different councils
Members of the Leadership Practitioner Forum attend virtual events that focus on the anchors and associated workstreams of the transformation programme, bringing colleagues together to explore topics and challenges. Sessions last for 2 hours and include presentations, Q&A and discussion in breakouts.
The next Leadership Practitioner Forum event is due to take place late September/October, date TBC. If you would like to attend, or would like any more information, please contact Amanda Spark.
Our topics and presenters so far have been:
Date | Topic | Presenters |
12 June 2024 | Building a Local Government Workforce for Transformation At the session we will consider the current picture of our local government workforce and the challenges including financial pressures, workforce demographics, recruitment difficulties and skills gaps including digital. How can we build a strong workforce to support delivery of our services to our communities who need them most? | Thomas Glen, Perth & Kinross Council and Fiona Whittaker, North Lanarkshire Council |
Thursday 18 April 2024 | Deep Dive - Lead council and cross-sector partnerships with a focus on outcomes & Tackle inequality and meet the needs of all citizens This session will provide a deep dive into the workstream to examine practical and meaningful next steps. Greg and Des will set out the aspirations for the work as well as share an update following the round-table discussion on developing a roadmap for Public Service Reform. There will an opportunity for questions, and also for discussion in breakouts. | Des Murray, North Lanarkshire Council & Greg Colgan, Dundee City Council |
29 February 2024 | Budgets and the Verity House Agreement The current financial position underlines the fundamental need for transformation and the relationship between Scottish Government and councils is critical and underpins the transformation work. The session will include a presentation on the Verity House Agreement, along with an overview of the local government budget position, followed by breakout discussions to explore and consider the topic. | Martin Booth, Glasgow City Council & Simon Cameron, COSLA |
29 November 2023 | Deep Dive - Unlock Community Action & Enable a functioning, trusted local and central government relationship | Angela Scott, Aberdeen City Council & Monica Patterson, East Lothian Council |
31 October 2023 | Launch event – Introduction to the Solace/IS Transformation work and Call to Action | Sarah Gadsden & Gerard McCormack - Improvement Service |
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Delivering a future for Scottish local authorities: the challenges they face, the questions that need asking and a model for the future
This paper proposes a new approach for the future operating model of Scottish local authorities. The paper outlines the context that local government is delivering within, the challenges and opportunities it faces and how councils might transition to a model of service delivery that builds on current success but more deliberately supports effective partnerships to improve outcomes for communities.
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IS Strategic Framework 2023-2027
The IS Strategic Framework 2023-27 sets out our vision, purpose and values, and our key priorities for the next four years.