Fancy joining a brand new support network for local government comms leads? Then read on…
by Matt Nicholls
It’s become almost a cliché to say that there has never been a more challenging time for heads of comms in local government.
I’ve undoubtedly said it myself on numerous occasions over the last decade or so, and I reserve the right to do so in future! But in all honesty, the current landscape really does feel like the toughest I can remember.
The external challenges speak for themselves: a cost-of-living crisis, growing financial pressures, increasing numbers of councils facing government intervention, more authorities than ever before under no overall control, a looming general election, the transition to net zero – I could go on.
Then there are the internal pressures facing every head of comms: workloads and expectations that still seem to be at pandemic levels, problems with recruitment and retention, teams often feeling on the brink of burnout.
Being a head of comms right now can often feel like a lonely place, and there’s no magic wand that can solve any of these issues. But there has to be more we can do to support and learn from each other.
In some parts of the country there are well established networks of communications leaders in local government, but this isn’t replicated everywhere. And we know from the LGA’s peer reviews that many heads of comms would really welcome more opportunities to meet and collaborate.
This is why the LGA is setting up a new Local Government Communications Leaders’ Network. With the support of some of our fantastic and hugely experienced associates – Darren Caveney (also of this parish), Fran Collingham, Paul Masterman and Dawn Reeves – we will be holding the first meeting of the network on Wednesday 11 October in Birmingham, hosted by our friends at the city council.
Speakers on the day will include senior comms professionals from across the country, and we’ll cover a range of topics spanning the current political landscape and the top priorities for teams. As this is a network, the emphasis will be on discussion and debate rather than death by PowerPoint. We hope it will be a safe space where shared challenges can be tackled through collective endeavour.
Establishing a network like this has been something many of us have been talking about for years – it is certainly long over-do. The impetus partly came from the LGA’s own communications peer review, which recommended we work more closely with councils to co-design our campaigns and highlight the different ways our member can access comms support from us.
The first meeting of the network will also help us shape how it develops in future, ensuring it reflects people’s needs and priorities. Our plan is to hold quarterly events in different regions, if the demand is there. We recognise budgets are tight and want to ensure a network does not exclude people who find it tough to justify travel expenses.
I hope as many comms leaders as possible can join us in Birmingham. But if you can’t, we’ll be sharing the learning and themes which emerge from the day.
The first Local Government Communications Leaders Network meeting takes place at the Council House in Birmingham on Wednesday 11 October from 10 am to 4pm.The event is for heads of communication – or people in equivalent roles – in councils, combined authorities and fire and rescue services.
To reserve your free space, email mia.cowen-dixon@local.gov.uk
Matt Nicholls is head of communications improvement at the Local Government Association. You can say hello on Twitter at @MattyPN
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