By Carly Hoyle, BCP Council
Political change used to feel like something you worked through. Now it feels like part of the day job.
Across every level of government, politics is more nuanced, more contested and more complex than ever before.
For comms professionals the challenge isn’t simply keeping up. It’s learning how to lead within that complexity.
I had the privilege of speaking at this year’s LG Comms Academy, and the theme “Gear Up” spoke directly to the political environment we’re all working in, one that is fast-moving, often uncertain, but full of opportunity for those ready to step forward and lead.
I was asked to talk about navigating a changing political landscape, something many councils experience but few at the scale and pace we have at BCP Council.
We operate within one of the most politically diverse councils in the country.
In just seven years since we have worked with multiple administrations, five different Leaders, and shifts in priorities, direction and governance.
What sets BCP Council apart is the depth of experience we have built in working across different administrations, particularly coalition arrangements.
Few councils can match this breadth of experience. It’s given us a level of astuteness, agility and maturity that puts us ahead of the curve.
And while at times it has been fast-paced, unpredictable and challenging, it has also been one of the most rewarding and professionally defining experiences of my career.
It has been a privilege to work under different administrations, learning, adapting and consistently delivering for residents, regardless of political leadership.
None of us gets a handbook for navigating political change. But after many years of working at different levels of local government and multiple administrations, a few lessons have stayed with me.
What I’ve learned along the way…
- We are unapologetically apolitical as officers. We serve the organisation and our communities with professionalism and neutrality regardless of the political landscape.
- Political awareness is critical. Your antennae must be switched on at all times.
- Strong governance matters. The “golden triangle” of statutory officers – Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer (legal) and Section 151 Officer (finance) – provides stability and clarity when it’s most needed.
- Your Officer/ Member protocol is your rule book, use it, lean on it, live by it.
- Integrity is non-negotiable. It is our constant when everything else shifts.
- Relationships are everything. Building trust and credibility with elected members across all parties is essential.
- Resilience is a necessity because quite often you can feel like you are dancing on ice.
Working with brilliant colleagues
BCP Council is one of the most dynamic, stretching and rewarding environments I have ever worked in. And the reason it works, even in the most complex moments, is the people.
I am proud to work alongside talented communications professionals who demonstrate calmness under pressure, sound judgement, professionalism and unwavering integrity.
Operating with absolute neutrality we work with all political groups, providing trusted, professional communications advice that is grounded in fairness, transparency and integrity.
That neutrality underpins our credibility.
The team show up, deliver and support one another, even when circumstances are anything but straightforward.
Learning from each other
Local government works best when we are willing to learn from one another. None of us has all the answers, but most of us have experiences.
So, whether you are looking to strengthen your team’s political astuteness, navigate a complex landscape or build confidence in advising elected members, we’re always happy to help.