The permanent Chief Executive of the Office for Local Government
(Oflog) has been confirmed by the Department for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Josh Goodman, who has been the interim Chief Executive of Oflog
since its launch on 4 July, has been appointed for the permanent
position.
This will see him continue to work alongside Oflog’s interim
chair, , to provide authoritative,
accessible data and analysis about the performance of the local
government sector and support its improvement.
The appointment is the result of a rigorous external recruitment
campaign, led by a panel including the then Chief Executive of
the Local Government Association (LGA).
Josh Goodman is an experienced civil servant who has worked with
local government in HM Treasury, the Department for Education and
No 10 Downing Street, and most recently as Director for Social
Housing in DLUHC. He set up the successful Covid Shielding
programme, delivered with local authorities, at the start of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
, Minister for Local Government, said:
“I welcome this appointment and I am confident that Josh will
drive local government to work as effectively as it possibly can.
“With a permanent chief executive now in place, Oflog will
continue to foster accountability and transparency in the sector,
so that residents can feel confident in their local leaders.”
Josh Goodman, Chief Executive of Oflog, said:
“Local government is brimming with hugely talented and
experienced people. Oflog is here to work with them, to help
every local authority be the best it can.
“I am indebted to the many colleagues in the sector who have
advised me on how to get the organisation off the ground. I’m
delighted to have been appointed to lead the next phase.”
The first set of metrics on the Local
Authority Data Explorer have now been published and will
continue to be developed. One of Oflog’s key priorities is to
develop the Data Explorer, which will provide citizens and local
government with an easy way to compare data about one local
authority with similar authorities. This will help citizens to
hold their local authority to account, and will help local
leaders to improve and innovate.
Oflog is also seeking to develop new ways to spot and address
early warning signs of potential failure in local authorities. It
also intends, over time, to support councils to share good
practice and to make the best use of data in running their
organisations.
Further information
More information about Oflog can be found here.
The external recruitment process was competitive, with the panel
including an independent civil service commissioner and the Chief
Executive of the Local Government Association (LGA).
