So much has changed since the last Solace Summit in 2019 and this month's event demonstrated that, in this very different world in which we now operate, the breadth and importance of the work councils do has never been more evident. Yet underpinning almost every discussion was a deep discomfort about councils' ability to attract and retain staff at all levels.

Whether it's the immediate pressure to find care workers or HGV drivers, the emerging skills needed to support a greener economy or the pipeline of future leaders being neither sufficient nor sufficiently diverse, it was a frequent topic of discussion. When coupled with the increasing demands on the sector, we find a situation that demands urgent action.