In search of the right balance
4 July 2006 - The Times
Tim Thorogood, the new chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit, tells Carly Chynoweth how his work in Wales will help him to deal with the devolution agenda
TIM THOROGOOD is barely through the froth on his cappuccino before he starts talking devolution. As the incoming chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) it is, admittedly, his job to get excited about such things. It’s not the only thing that he enjoys talking about — he is an enthusiastic proponent of getting out and about in the countryside, while the tan he displays is explained when he mentions his love of sailing — but with the future of local government squarely on Whitehall’s agenda, devolution is the order of the day.
Speaking to Public Agenda just before officially taking on the job, he says that he is keen to bring his Welsh council experience to the debate. “I argue that Wales has demonstrated the success of devolution, of local decision-making, and if that works for Wales it works for the next size down too.”
He praises the country’s approach to local authority performance management for its flexibility and the interactivity it allows between various layers of government. “It’s not the straitjacket of comprehensive performance assessment that we have here in England. In Swansea we could see the benefit of that.”
But Thorogood isn’t satisfied with simply making an argument. “The real challenge is the solution. How do we find an accommodation, a balance between national and local government? Where the LGiU comes in is in finding a practical and workable solution.”
Will it be cracked in the White Paper? “I’m sure that Phil Woolas (Minister for Local Government) will have given it a lot of thought but the answer lies with people in local government and the supporters of local government themselves coming up with solutions.”
This is something of a change of focus for the LGiU, which has already started moving towards the centre ground and away from its left-wing campaigning background.
“I want to see think-tanks (generally) being not just critical but coming up with practical, workable solutions. I don’t think that it’s right for us just to criticise.”
On a personal level he has plenty of experience of being on the receiving end of criticism. A planning dispute over what should have been a straightforward rebuilding and improvement of the garage at his home in Rhossili led to an embarrassing public mess, a flurry of bad media and Thorogood’s suspension from his job while the situation was investigated. He resigned less than a month later; the council’s leader praised his contribution to the city and wished him “every success in the future”.
However, the planning issue has not yet been resolved — the final decision is likely to be made today. Planning officers have recommended that the building be approved (see www.swansea.gov.uk) but if it is refused Thorogood may have to demolish it.
Beyond the building’s fate there is the possibility that fallout from the dispute could affect him in his new job. Thorogood is confident that it won’t. “To be honest, the overwhelming response that I have had is that these things happen.”
A pragmatic bent, evident in this answer, is one of the characteristics that Thorogood believes suits him for his new role at the LGiU, which he officially began yesterday. He sees his job as taking the suggestions provided by the think-tank’s members and turning them into practical answers.
“I am concerned not just with coming up with ideas but with making sure that things are constructive and can make a difference,” he says. “The LGiU’s priority is to strengthen local government to the benefit of all political parties. That’s where I’ve taken it on.”
Read more about the LGiU’s Making Local Democracy Work campaign at www.lgiu.org.uk
TIM THOROGOOD FACT FILE
Born: May 15, 1962, in Barbados
Career: Began as a teacher; moved into education administration then strategic services. CEO of Swansea Council 2003-06; became CEO of the LGiU this month.
He says: “The only answer to improving the British economy (and) to bringing government closer to the people is devolution to the very lowest level.”
Little-known fact: “Until I went to boarding school at 10 I lived all over the world.” His favourite place was the Falkland Islands: “It is the most interesting place to live if you like sailing, the outdoors and wildlife. I find places like that more interesting than urban areas.”
Tim Thorogood, the new chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit, tells Carly Chynoweth how his work in Wales will help him to deal with the devolution agenda
TIM THOROGOOD is barely through the froth on his cappuccino before he starts talking devolution. As the incoming chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) it is, admittedly, his job to get excited about such things. It’s not the only thing that he enjoys talking about — he is an enthusiastic proponent of getting out and about in the countryside, while the tan he displays is explained when he mentions his love of sailing — but with the future of local government squarely on Whitehall’s agenda, devolution is the order of the day.
Speaking to Public Agenda just before officially taking on the job, he says that he is keen to bring his Welsh council experience to the debate. “I argue that Wales has demonstrated the success of devolution, of local decision-making, and if that works for Wales it works for the next size down too.”
He praises the country’s approach to local authority performance management for its flexibility and the interactivity it allows between various layers of government. “It’s not the straitjacket of comprehensive performance assessment that we have here in England. In Swansea we could see the benefit of that.”
But Thorogood isn’t satisfied with simply making an argument. “The real challenge is the solution. How do we find an accommodation, a balance between national and local government? Where the LGiU comes in is in finding a practical and workable solution.”
Will it be cracked in the White Paper? “I’m sure that Phil Woolas (Minister for Local Government) will have given it a lot of thought but the answer lies with people in local government and the supporters of local government themselves coming up with solutions.”
This is something of a change of focus for the LGiU, which has already started moving towards the centre ground and away from its left-wing campaigning background.
“I want to see think-tanks (generally) being not just critical but coming up with practical, workable solutions. I don’t think that it’s right for us just to criticise.”
On a personal level he has plenty of experience of being on the receiving end of criticism. A planning dispute over what should have been a straightforward rebuilding and improvement of the garage at his home in Rhossili led to an embarrassing public mess, a flurry of bad media and Thorogood’s suspension from his job while the situation was investigated. He resigned less than a month later; the council’s leader praised his contribution to the city and wished him “every success in the future”.
However, the planning issue has not yet been resolved — the final decision is likely to be made today. Planning officers have recommended that the building be approved (see www.swansea.gov.uk) but if it is refused Thorogood may have to demolish it.
Beyond the building’s fate there is the possibility that fallout from the dispute could affect him in his new job. Thorogood is confident that it won’t. “To be honest, the overwhelming response that I have had is that these things happen.”
A pragmatic bent, evident in this answer, is one of the characteristics that Thorogood believes suits him for his new role at the LGiU, which he officially began yesterday. He sees his job as taking the suggestions provided by the think-tank’s members and turning them into practical answers.
“I am concerned not just with coming up with ideas but with making sure that things are constructive and can make a difference,” he says. “The LGiU’s priority is to strengthen local government to the benefit of all political parties. That’s where I’ve taken it on.”
Read more about the LGiU’s Making Local Democracy Work campaign at www.lgiu.org.uk
TIM THOROGOOD FACT FILE
Born: May 15, 1962, in Barbados
Career: Began as a teacher; moved into education administration then strategic services. CEO of Swansea Council 2003-06; became CEO of the LGiU this month.
He says: “The only answer to improving the British economy (and) to bringing government closer to the people is devolution to the very lowest level.”
Little-known fact: “Until I went to boarding school at 10 I lived all over the world.” His favourite place was the Falkland Islands: “It is the most interesting place to live if you like sailing, the outdoors and wildlife. I find places like that more interesting than urban areas.”
posted by Commentator at 11:00 AM
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