Solace blog

“My year as the first woman president of Solace needs to be put in context because so much has changed in local government, Solace and society since 1996-97. There were no executive council leaders or elected mayors then, but changes were in prospect after a period of high political tensions, attacks on local authority powers, and a growing recognition that local government needed to speak in a more co-ordinated manner.

“The role of the chief executive was evolving quickly and post-holders could feel battered from all directions – that’s one element of consistency over the years. ‘Professionalism’ was in vogue and Solace was already considering widening its membership, raising standards and appointing its first full-time director.

“I’d made a few cracks in the glass ceiling already and was used to chairing meetings where the note-taker and I were the only women.”

Click here to read the full article by Pamela Gordon, former Solace President, in the LGC.