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Editorial - North Lincolnshire Council
Name:
Sean Brennan
Employer:
North Lincolnshire Council
Job Title:
National Management Trainee
University:
Lincoln
Subject:
BA History
I graduated from University of Lincoln in
2006 with a First in History. After graduating I
worked for a county council in an administrative
role in order to gain some experience of local
government. During this time I applied for the
National Graduate Development Programme
and was successful in gaining entry to the
scheme. I am on a two year contract with North
Lincolnshire Council. I chose North Lincolnshire
Council because it offers good exposure through
its variety of placements at a strategic level.
What happened from graduation onwards?
After graduating I was not fully sure what I
wanted to do but knew I wanted it to be somehow
linked to the public. I worked for another local
authority for a year or so whilst I weighed up
options and considered the various graduate
schemes out there.
What attracted you to North Lincolnshire
Council?
I was interested in the public sector as I was
intrigued by the concept of public service. I also
wanted a local feel to this so began to look at
local councils and also public sector graduate
schemes. The national graduate development
programme combined the two.
What attracted me to North Lincolnshire Council
was the atmosphere - open, friendly, and
pursuing innovative practice through Worksmart
which aims to create working styles fit for 21st
century lives. At the interview stage they stood
out from the other councils in terms of what they
could offer me; a variety of placements but with
a strategic core to them that has equipped me
already with a plethora of skills.
North Lincolnshire Council also seem to be the
perfect fit for a graduate seeking to develop a
career in the public sector. As a smaller unitary
we deal with all council services, so compared to
colleagues on the ngdp who work for district or
county councils, I do not miss out on exposure
to anything. However, unlike some colleagues
who work at huge unitaries employing 30,000
people, I do not feel swamped by working for a
monolith. I get the best of both worlds.
What do you do on a daily basis?
I work in the Strategy Development Unit within
the Chief Executive's Department. A typical
day sees me arrive at the office around 8am,
check emails and read up on the latest policy
developments. I'm currently working on how
we are externally assessed and looking to embed
our approach better across the council and
partners, so I may have a mid-morning meeting
with a service area or partnership organisation
such as the NHS. There is rarely a day when
we're not liaising with our various partners from
the public, private and voluntary sectors.
I'll grab some lunch on the way back to the office
and then continue with the report. A lot of what
I do revolves around keeping abreast of policy
and legislation, so I may spend the afternoon
horizon scanning - metaphorically that is!
Often a meeting with a manager in strategy
development to discuss projects we jointly
work on, and leave the office around 5pm. I also
regularly homework and have remote access to
all networks to facilitate this.
What has stood out as the biggest challenge you
have faced at work?
It is more a day in day out task rather than one
specifically. Namely keeping abreast of the latest
developments at central government and the
regional offices. The world of local government
is constantly changing and we have to keep up to
date with it all - although it never gets boring!
What do you like most about your job?
Intellectual challenge; stimulating and
demanding; substantial responsibility; worklife
balance; friendly, non-hierarchical office
atmosphere; and variety in placements and
choice in what I do. Moreover, I genuinely feel
like I'm making a difference.
How do you relax?
I like to go hiking whenever I get chance, as
well as walking the dogs in North Lincolnshire.
The rural beauty of North Lincolnshire still
impresses me.
Has your perception of NLC changed since you
joined the authority?
I had been sold by NLC's vision from the outset
but was still impressed at how I have never
once been made to feel like a ‘mere graduate' or
trainee. Furthermore, the professionalism of my
fellow officers has broken any clichés around
local government I may have once had. I am
now truly a convert, much to the annoyance of
my friends!
What does the future hold?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year at
North Lincolnshire Council and look forward to
progressing with the authority over the coming
years. There is still much for me to learn and
experience over the next year of the programme
and I am looking forward to the challenge and
learning opportunities ahead of me as I grow and
develop professionally.
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