EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Joint political and managerial leadership in UK city governance

Joint political and managerial leadership in UK city governance

Introduction

This paper focuses on the experience of the reform of UK local government governance – particularly the creation of political executives or cabinets.

Description

The thrust of this paper is that the city governance requires, as it always has, a distinctive joint leadership between politicians and managers. This has typically been worked out (or not) by two people or two groups to the greater good (or not) of the city community. Several aspects of this have forced greater clarity into the thought and practice on how this complex form of leadership is exercised. New ways of working together are emerging as a result.

Background information

What this paper wishes to set out is the need to more clearly define, build and practice the joint and separate leadership that city governance needs.

Conclusions

This paper suggests the following:

The political/manager interface needs elaborating into a three way umbrella, political, managerial and joint - if it is to be better understood and worked in practice.
There needs to be an on-going joint development process in city authorities between political and managerial teams. Paired political and managerial individuals need to be paired to strengthen the joint leadership; this should balance time spent on joint policy making, planning and action with adequate time on the working and understanding relationships between teams and individuals.
The use of practical techniques and skills for helping teams and individuals to understand, shape, agree and act upon their joint work. This paper has set out some useful techniques and skills.

Contact info

College of Urban planning & public affairs
Andrew Holder

Publication date

01/12/2004

Researcher

Andrew Holder

Links

Joint political and managerial leadership in UK city governance

Joint political and managerial leadership in UK city governance (PDF, Eng, 202 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation