The search has begun to find someone to fill the post known as the biggest job in local government. Advertisements appeared at the weekend for a new Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, following the announcement by Sir Brian Briscoe that he is to stand down in the spring.Sir Brian was appointed in 1996 and led the merger of the Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and Association of District Councils to form the Local Government Association as the single representative body for English local authorities in April 1997.Sir Brian was previously Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council and the Planning Officer for Kent County Council. His earlier career as a planner included periods in Hertfordshire, West Yorkshire, Herefordshire and Derbyshire. Announcing his decision he said, “After a decade in an extremely exciting and stimulating job it is now time for me to move on to new challenges.” He said he had been proud of what had been achieved and the job had been great fun.

The Chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, said Sir Brian’s role in bringing together the former representative bodies to form the single LGA, and in building and strengthening the organisation had been a unique contribution to local government.

The Vice-Chairman, Sir Jeremy Beecham, who led the Association in 1997, said Sir Brian had led the LGA from strength to strength and his enthusiasm, leadership and inspiration had taken it to heights many people had thought to be unachievable.