Exploring best practice across leading councils internationally, this VLGA & LGIU Global Executive Live Panel -  part of LGIU’s Future Local Lab - will delve into the topic of civility in public life.

Across the globe, hostility towards and distrust in public institutions is rising. Nowhere is this more true than at a local level - the most accessible sphere of government. Councillors and staff are increasingly tackling issues stemming from rising levels of negative, abusive and sometimes threatening rhetoric. Addressing this pressing issue for local government, this Global Executive Panel will explore the experiences and lessons from local government across the globe.

This event takes place at 08:30 - 10:00 BST / 17:30 - 19:00 AEST / 19.30 - 21.00 NZST via Zoom

Key areas for discussion will include

• What are the reasons for a decline in civility in local public life both outside and within the council chamber?
• How an overall rise of abuse is deterring talented individuals from pursuing or remaining in public service and exacerbating existing inequalities.
• How can local government as an institution promote the value of local democracy?
• Strategies for increasing future engagement in the local democratic process.
• The rise of misinformation and the rise of toxicity - how to counteract the cause and effect.

Speakers

Catherine Needham is Professor of Public Policy and Public Management at the University of Birmingham. She researches the public service workforce, with a range of studies under the theme of the 21^st Century Public Servant. She also researches social care systems and markets, and her most recent book is Social Care in the UK’s Four Nations: Between Two Paradigms.

Catherine’s research focuses on reform of public services, with particular emphasis on the introduction of consumerist models of service delivery. She is interested in the relative role of quasi-markets and consumer-centred models of decision-making compared to those based on notions of citizenship and publicness. Taking an interpretive approach to policy analysis, she has examined the different ‘narratives of consumerism' contained within recent welfare reforms in the UK , drawing on content analysis of government documents and interviews with policy makers, service users and staff.

Jo Miller came to New Zealand in July 2019 to join Hutt City Council as Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive. She has been the President at Taituarā – Local Government Professionals New Zealand since October 2023.Jo’s local government career spans 30 years at a local, regional and national level.Prior to living in Aotearoa, Jo held one of the most high-profile government jobs in the UK, with an outstanding record of motivating people, creating solutions and brokering agreements in major housing, economic regeneration and capital investment schemes.As Chief Executive of Doncaster Council, Jo was recognised for exceptional organisational turnaround, city growth and a return to optimism, putting the city in the top 10 for UK growth. Jo was elected President of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives in 2017, consequently named as the third most influential person in local government by UK Local Government Press. 

Jacqui Weatherill is the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Dandenong City Council, located in the southeast region of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Greater Dandenong Council is renowned as one of Australia's most culturally diverse municipalities, with 8 out of 10 residents speaking a language other than English and hailing from 158 different countries. This area is characterised by a highly disadvantaged residential population and one of the lowest SEIFA indexes in the country. Despite these challenges, Greater Dandenong is a hub of manufacturing, employment, and growth, serving as a National Employment and Innovation Centre that contributes approximately $63 billion to the national economy annually and employs around 114,000 people.

Hannah is a policy professional and advocate researcher promoting civility and gender equality in public life. She has worked on local, national and international levels including at the London Borough of Lambeth Council, the UK House of Commons and the United Nations. In addition to her work at the Foundation, Hannah is a DPhil (PhD) Candidate at the University of Oxford. When not working, she will probably be binge reading another novel.

Diane is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and certified culture transformation consultant, sharing insights from over two decades of civic leadership, including her award-winning tenure as city manager. She is the founder of Kalen Academy, an online civic leadership institute. 

About our partners

The VLGA is an independent (non-partisan) governance organisation supporting councils and councillors in achieving the highest standards of governance on behalf of their communities. They provide opportunities for councillor networking, professional development and information exchange and actively engage with key policymakers and broader stakeholders to inform, influence and lead the conversations that determine the priorities for the local government sector in Victoria. vlga.org.au | [email protected]

About Future Local Lab

LGIU’s Future Local Lab is a holistic programme of resources to help local government prepare for and respond to the emerging challenges facing the sector internationally. From embracing the opportunities of new technology to tackling the threats of climate change, join us for ideas and inspiration.