Promoting young enthusiastic and innovative talent in local government is at the cornerstone of ensuring our collective work for residents shines like a beacon across the UK. There is no greater example of this than the Bruce-Lockhart Scholarship, which is now celebrating its ninth year of highlighting some of the greatest of that talent. 

On 12 February, 10 young officers will line up in Barking & Dagenham for the first local round of this year's Local Government Challenge and the chance to win the coveted Bruce-Lockhart Scholarship. Brilliantly supported by the Local Government Association (LGA) and proudly sponsored by Kent, Essex and East Sussex CCs, the Local Government Challenge is growing a new generation of local leaders. At a time of budget setting and introspection, it is a success story to remind us all of the exiting potential that lies within all of our organisations.