districtview

摘要

With local elections taking place this week for many of us and the backdrop of Brexit nationally, I would like to explore the theme of driving place-leadership in the context of political uncertainty. Elected members are critical in developing key policy and decisions to ensure the work of councils remains democratic and responsive to communities. The current state of national party politics and regular local elections can be a challenge when developing and delivering longer-term place-shaping visions, strategies, budgets and major projects, which rely on continuity and/ or investor confidence. At Great Yarmouth BC, the last four years have seen both Labour and Conservative majority administrations, a hung council and a minority Conservative administration - with UKIP having key influence from 2014 until recently. The council is now under Conservative majority control, operating a committee system and moving to all-out elections every four years. This same period has also seen the council driving forward a wide range of ambitious work with our partners in areas including supporting inclusive growth and investment, improving infrastructure and housing standards and regenerating our town centre and seafronts.