31 March 2006
Local government reforms are threatened by a 'demographic deficit' unless fresh talent is attracted into the sector, an influential think-tank is warning.
The Local Government Information Unit says a generation of middle and senior town hall managers will retire over the next ten years, putting at risk the 'double devolution' programme outlined by ministers in recent weeks.
A shortage of internally developed talent to take over will be exacerbated by the increased demand for skilled managers across every sector of the economy, the LGIU believes. This will make it more difficult to persuade talented staff to choose a career in local government.
LGIU director Dennis Reed called for a skills strategy to ensure that public service is seen as a 'rewarding and exciting' career.
'We're arguing for a national centre for excellence to develop the skills among staff,' he said.
The call came during the launch of a pamphlet by the LGIU on local accountability on March 29. The pamphlet calls for the progressive pooling of budgets by local service providers under the aegis of Local Area Agreements.
PFmar2006
