Support to officers facing a change in political leadership

This section, for chief executives and managing directors, builds on the advice offered in previous guidance. In the weeks and months before an election, there is a lot that the chief executive or managing director can do if they think there is a possibility of the council experiencing a change in leadership.

Once the votes have been cast and counted, it’s time for the decision making to begin. There are many options for forming an administration when no one party has overall control, but the advice of the chief executives we spoke to can be helpful for a variety of different scenarios including change of control and a change in leadership as the principles are the same.

This guidance covers the long-term areas to consider post-election for officers.

An incoming council leader requires carefully planned support to be put in place at the start of their leadership and it is worth reviewing your plans, given the different context of the pandemic this year.