"I believe my generation will leave a legacy of dedicated and confident councillors for the future"

It is vital that we, as local councillors, are honest with ourselves. The majority of councillors are white men over 50, and however ambitious we are for what councils can do for their communities, until we have elected members who are more representative of their communities, we won't get the kind of interest and involvement we want. I, for one, have been championing women and BME candidates in Coventry and elsewhere for many years, and I am as tough on myself as I am on others - I cheerfully plan to step aside in the coming years, and let a new generation through. I challenge all councillors to do the same.

The 21st Century Councillor programme is exactly the kind of activity we need to encourage more candidates for councils, and to support and develop the young councillors we do have, so that they have the skills and experience required to take over the reins. We need to ensure that the councillors we have enjoy the job, and are getting the most out of it, and are able to continue to train and improve. By sharing this learning across the country, and by being honest in areas where some new blood needs to be encouraged and given a helping hand, I believe my generation will be able to leave a legacy of dedicated and confident councillors for the future.

Cllr Ann Lucas, Coventry. LGA Labour Group member-at-large and member of the Labour Party NEC