Thought Leadership
13 May 2026
When routine becomes the problem: Habituation and the case for continuous improvement
Habituation helps us manage the familiar, but at work it can quietly stop teams from questioning routines that no longer serve them. In this article, Steve Jackson explores how Continuous Improvement can help councils create space for small, practical changes led by the people closest to the work. By reducing friction, encouraging experimentation and building ownership, CI offers a low-risk route to stronger engagement, better services and more confident teams.
13 May 2026
Sexual harassment at work: Being ready for what comes next.
Lorna Wells explores the growing focus on sexual harassment in the workplace and what recent legal changes mean for public sector employers. Drawing on survey findings and emerging case law, the piece examines why incidents continue to go unreported and why compliance alone is no longer enough. It considers how organisations can move beyond policy and training to build cultures rooted in trust, accountability and prevention.
13 May 2026
The quiet collapse of ‘how we’ve always done it’: Reflections on the PPMA Conference 2026
Reflecting on the PPMA Conference 2026, Rebecca Davis explores how local government is moving beyond familiar ideas of complexity into a more uncertain, people-led future. From reform and AI to workforce capacity and leadership confidence, the article considers why the sector’s ability to adapt will depend not only on structures or funding, but on how seriously organisations invest in people, culture and change.
15 Apr 2026
Staying curious. Why modern leadership development must go beyond the classroom
Leadership in local government is becoming increasingly complex, with reform, collaboration and technological change reshaping how services are delivered. In this article, Michelle O’Neill explores why traditional leadership programmes alone are no longer enough. Drawing on work with councils across the sector, she highlights the growing importance of experiential learning, coaching and reflective space in helping leaders navigate uncertainty, develop confidence and build the curiosity modern public sector leadership now demands.
15 Apr 2026
Is Local Government still family friendly enough?
Local government has long been seen as a leader in family-friendly employment, but that position is becoming less clear. As statutory rights expand and private sector innovation accelerates, the sector’s relative advantage is narrowing. Lorna Wells explores whether compliance is now replacing leadership, and why revisiting family-friendly provision could play a critical role in attraction, retention and workforce sustainability across local government.
15 Apr 2026
Resourcing through reform: Keeping services stable while rebuilding the workforce
In this article, Graham Bradley, (MCIPD), explores what it takes for resourcing leaders to keep services stable and capability growing through Local Government Reorganisation. LGR is a public, time bound workforce transition, often under financial constraint and rising demand. This paper distils ten resourcing considerations to help leaders balance internal mobility and targeted recruitment, align to programme dependencies, and manage risk as the new authority takes shape.
12 Mar 2026
Leadership: Still a contact sport. Now unmistakenly a team one.
Leadership still carries weight. The pressure and scrutiny haven’t eased. What has changed is the belief that one person can carry it alone. In this article, Matthew Hotten challenges the myth of the heroic leader and argues that modern public sector leadership depends on collective performance. Drawing on the West Midlands Tri-sector Challenge, he explores why leadership must move within teams, especially under pressure, and why organisations must reward it accordingly.
12 Mar 2026
Employment Rights Act 2025: A New ERA – What Local Government HR Should Focus on Now
Lorna Wells examines what the Employment Rights Act 2025 means for local government HR. The most significant reform of UK employment law in a generation will unfold over several years, from industrial action reform and expanded protections to redundancy and harassment duties. Lorna sets out what matters now, what is coming next, and how councils can prepare steadily and strategically.
12 Mar 2026
Why quality of matches matters more than quantity of applications in public sector recruitment
In public sector recruitment, success is often measured by how many applications a role receives. But volume does not guarantee quality. In this article, Chloe Herrmannexplores why focusing on genuine engagement, transparency and trust leads to better matches between candidates and employers. By shifting attention from quantity to intent, public sector organisations can improve outcomes, reduce pressure on resourcing teams and build a stronger, more sustainable workforce for the future.