SOLACE, the professional body for council chiefs, published a statement last Friday on the role of council chief executives as the value of the top post faces fresh scrutiny in local government.

The document calls the role ‘special and unique' but also ‘not well understood' and refers to a background climate of ‘persistent briefings by senior government figures questioning the role, value and remuneration'.

Its introduction also mentions that the current ‘popularity' for councils to consider the removal of chief executives and the sharing of the role as ‘not a new concept' and one which eventually results in them reverting back to established structures.

While staying clear of issuing specific rules SOLACE outlined some of the key factors involved in the success and best practice of the role, focussing primarily on the importance of the working relationships involved.

Citing key components, the document refers to managerial leadership, skills, knowledge and expertise, overview, balance and coherence, the role of chief political advisor and finally the special relationship a chief executive must have with the council leader.

Under managerial leadership, the document states a chief executive should ‘think creatively' and have ‘high levels of analytical skills'. It goes on to state: ‘The chief executive's role is also to co-ordinate, instruct, support, cajole and guide to bring the best out of a team of chief officers.'

On overview, balance and coherence, the chief executive role is emphasised as being a leader able to involve themselves and mediate between ‘the whole council' to ensure everyone is dealt with and listened to impartially.

In terms of being a chief political advisor, the document is clear that ‘part of what a chief executive is paid for is to be brave and to speak truth to power'.

Finally under the special relationship the document makes clear the complexity of the relationship between chief executive and leader, with its possibility for ‘tension and potential conflict' and the importance of establishing trust to prevent the issues arising.

The document concludes by stating this relationship when it works is an ‘exceptional thing' and ‘it's a brave leader who embarks on their political journey without it.'  Last week Wiltshire Council became the first major authority to decide to purposefully operate without a chief executive in place.