The Impact of leadership succession planning on service delivery in urban councils. A case study of Ruwa Local Board

Abstract

The main research question for this study was to investigate the impact of leadership succession planning on service delivery in urban councils. A case study of Ruwa Local Board. The main objectives of the study were to find out succession planning strategies that have been put in place at Ruwa Local Board, to determine the impact of succession planning on service delivery at Ruwa Local Board, to evaluate the challenges which are faced by Ruwa Local Board in adopting and implementing succession planning and to assess the effectiveness of transformational leadership on succession planning and service delivery by Ruwa Local Board. The main literature of the study indicated that leadership succession planning has an effect on service delivery in local authorities. The literature also showed that transformational leadership was the most appropriate style for leadership succession and was needed to improve service delivery in local authorities. The main research methodology for the study included both positivism and phenomenological approach. The leading political party influences senior appointments and sometimes create an environment that favors appointments from perceived ruling party loyalists as opposed to merit. The study found out that there is no strategy to groom and engage successors who can make a meaningful contribution to the integrated development plan process. The main findings of this investigation indicated that leadership succession planning has a huge impact on service delivery in urban councils. Local government has seen many changes over the years being introduced aiming to ensure it functions well and deliver its constitutional mandate. The inclusion of the Local Government Board in making senior appointments heavily compromises leadership succession planning at individual council level. The main conclusions for this study were that a strong leadership steers an institution to a desired destination. There is a need to invest in building leadership and management capacity in this municipality to improve the integrated development planning process. A proper planning process encompassing all councils should be explored. Selection of councilors: the results have shown low education in some councilors. This group of councilors may present a weak link in leadership succession planning and in the service delivery chain. A legislative amend to include educational requirements may benefit service delivery in local government. Personnel continuity: municipalities who have had successes in the delivery of services have maintained continuity at senior management. This area needs to be explored further to determine how best leadership succession planning can be fully benefit urban councils.