Leaders must learn to spot local talent

摘要

Sometimes it's good to be reminded about how councillors can make a difference. In all the gloomy talk about how marginalised the role has become, we do occasionally need to hear how energy and talent can bring fresh opportunities for local communities.In recent years, Leicester has not always emerged as one of the most innovative of local councils. So, it was quite intriguing to see one of the priorities for the new administration in the city elected this May was to appoint a special envoy to the 2012 Olympic Games. Given the other pressing priorities for a new political leadership - and at a time when even some London boroughs were still working out how they could be involved with the Olympics -it was an ambitious move. Not only that, but the council also appointed a newly-elected 25-year-old councillor to the role.