Last week Sir Merrick Cockell won the election to become the new chairman of the Local Government Association, taking on his new post at its conference this week in Birmingham. Here he outlines his strategy for his term in office.

We meet in Birmingham this week at a pivotal moment for local government and the LGA.The last twelve months have been difficult and at times, damaging. The need for strong and accountable local leadership could not be greater. I have three immediate ambitions for local government.