It is time to change the narrative about local government. Leaders from across local government are calling on Michael Gove to promote the sector as the place to be for the brightest talent

Dear Michael Gove,

We congratulate you on your recent re-appointment as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

We are a community of people who work in and with UK local government and we're writing to ask for your support to champion the talent and innovation of its dedicated and hard-working teams, to help them succeed in these challenging times.

There are thousands of determined people working in local government who should feel appreciated, understood and loved by the communities they serve, but often do not. Those thousands of people know that the national brand of local government is one of creativity, collaboration and kindness – not bins, potholes and disinterest.

We want to change the tired narrative about local government, restore trust with our local communities, and renew the pride and energy of local workers on whom we all rely.

We believe that UK local government should hold an equivalent respect in people's hearts to the NHS and armed services. We want to bring more of the top talent and brightest young people to work in the public sector.

We need your help to do this.

Imagine the change of attitude to local government that you could lead with a positive and consistent message from central government that councils are your vital partners in policy delivery.

Imagine how much faster we could level up and tackle the cost of living crisis if local and national government worked together to show strong and effective partnership to the public.

Imagine a local government recruitment drive backed by local government and central government that focused on finding the next generation of talent to build a functioning, financially sustainable public sector that delivers for the people it is there to serve.

We the undersigned are writing to ask you to do all of the above with us. We stand ready to work with you to help create a positive and informative national message about local government; devise better and more effective ways to work together in partnership; and co-create a national recruitment drive for local government.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Twigg

Co-founder, Inner Circle Consulting 

Jamie Ounan

Co-founder, Inner Circle Consulting

Heather Jameson

Editor, The MJ

Julie Towers

Managing Director, Penna 

Graeme McDonald

Managing Director, Solace and Solace Business

Joanne Roney

President, Solace 

Matt Prosser

Solace Incoming President, Chief Executive Dorset Council

Ian Thomas

Solace Policy Lead for Leadership and Learning, Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Tom Stannard

Solace Policy Lead for Environment and Climate Change, Chief Executive Salford City Council

Martin Reeves

Solace Spokesperson on Local Government Finance, Chief Executive Coventry City Council

Gordon McFarlane

President, PPMA

Steve Davies

Head of London Regional Employers' Organisation, PPMA

Barry Pirie

Sponsorship Manager, PPMA

Martin Reeves

Solace Spokesperson on Local Government Finance, Chief Executive Coventry City Council

Angela McKeon

HR Officer - Systems Lead, Epping Forest District Council

Helen Kendall

HR Adviser at Leicestershire County Council

Michele Leith

Interim Director of HR/OD and Administration, Business Support, Walsall Council

Alison Ford

Independent Consultant to Local Government

Emma Browes

Business Change Lead at Leeds City Council

Cally Overton

People Services, Leicester City Council