Vol 4/5
June
1999

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Special Report
What makes a good city?

As the Bridge went to press, Heather Rabbatts, Chief Executive of Lambeth Borough Council, was due to lecture in Southwark Cathedral on Local Government in Inner London in the light of the proposals for the Greater London Authority.

Ms Rabbatts was due to consider and reflect on the values and principles which she believes should underpin policy and practice.

The lecture on Thursday 20 May is the annual SLIM (South London Industrial Mission) lecture. - and we will bring you a report of her view next month.

From 1987, when she first joined local government, until 1989, Heather Rabbatts held a variety of managerial positions before being appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Lambeth Borough Council with responsibility for policy, personnel, communications, equality and community relations. For a time she acted as Chief Executive while a search was carried out for a permanent Chief Executive.

She then moved on to be the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Merton returning to Lambeth as Chief Executive in April 1995. Advertised as the worst job in local government, her task has been to lead a radical programme of change. Since that time significant improvements have been secured in income collection, overall budget reductions, housing repairs, recruitment of a high calibre management team, and an entrepreneurial externalisation programme, as well as a shift in the perception of the image of Lambeth from the 'worst' to one that is getting better.

Born in Jamaica, Heather Rabbatts was educated in England and called to the Bar in 1981. She has a teenage son and lives in North London. In her limited spare time she enjoys good food, wine and stress reducing shopping trips.

Heather is a Board Member of the Qualification and Curriculum Authority; a Governor of the London School of Economics; a judge for Millennium products and a Governor of the BBC.

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The full printed edition of the 'Bridge' newspaper is available at all Southwark Parish Churches
Further copies can be obtained from wendy.s.robins@southwark.anglican.org
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