News from the Leader of the LGA Labour Group - 31 October 2017

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31 October 2017

Cllr Nick Forbes

News from the Leader of the LGA Labour Group

Cllr Nick Forbes
Leader of the LGA Labour Group

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Labour Local Government Conference 2018

The Association of Labour Councillors (ALC) and LGA Labour Group Local Government Conference will take place on Friday and Saturday 2/3 February 2018. 

This event is an opportunity for Labour’s local government family to meet and discuss a range of issues relevant to local government and Labour. In addition to keynote speakers and plenary sessions, there will be a series of policy and campaigning workshops. Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP is confirmed to speak along with many other members of Labour’s front bench team.

The details are:

Friday 2 February 2018, 19.30 – 22.30
Drinks reception and dinner

Saturday 3 February 2018, 09.00 – 17.00
Local Government Conference

The conference will be held at East Midlands Conference Centre, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RJ. To book your place please visit our website.  Please note we are only able to take online bookings with a debit or credit card. Reserve your place now.

Accommodation
We are pleased to have a number of rooms on hold at the Orchard Hotel, adjacent to the conference venue on a first come first served basis.  To book please call the hotel’s reservations team on 0115 876 0900 and quote LGA 2/218.  Single occupancy is £95 + VAT, double occupancy is £105 + VAT, bed and breakfast. These are the same prices as two years ago. Please note this is a non-refundable, non-transferable rate. Rooms not booked by 4 December 2017 will be released, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Newly elected Councillors
If you are a newly elected councillor, (i.e. elected for the first time in May 2017 or since in a by-election) you are entitled to a free conference pass and you will receive an email from the ALC explaining how to book your place. If you have any queries please email councillors@labour.org.uk for further information. If you intend to come to the dinner you will need to buy a ticket for that.

News from Local Labour

New fleet of £500,000 zero-emission buses coming to Birmingham.

Sheffield signs up to the Ethical Care Charter, becoming the largest local authority to sign the charter.

Homeless people in Manchester can now access the city's library books and computers after a project by homeless charity Lifeshare and Manchester City Council.
 
Islington Council has called for diesel vehicles to be banned in London by 2025 in response to the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy consultation.

St Helens Council buys Church Square shopping centre for £26.6m as part of its regeneration plans.

Blackpool's iconic seafront gets £27.1 million flood defence system.

News from Wales

Cardiff pledges to become an Urban Veg Pioneer

New guidance on link between councils and Welsh Government

News from the Labour Party

John McDonnell MP responds to IFS research on public finances ahead of the Budget.

Labour has forced Theresa May to backtrack on ill-conceived plans for supported housing - John Healey MP.

Barbara Keeley MP says Jeremy Hunt’s remarks bear no resemblance to the reality of our mental health services.

Next month’s budget must address unprecedented workforce crisis in our NHS - Jonathan Ashworth MP.

Conservative-led governments have made it easier for tax avoiders to duck their obligations - John McDonnell MP.

Debbie Abrahams MP - Fall in earnings shows this Government has fundamentally failed working people.

Melanie Onn MP – Labour will fight to make sure tenants’ voices are heard.

National news

Hammond faces spending dilemma, says IFS.

A&E wait times of more than four hours to affect a million more people.

Westminster harassment: Andrea Leadsom to set out action plan.

Grenfell takes a huge toll on mental health with biggest mental health response of its kind in Europe. 

News from the LGA

Leisure centres could be forced to close without government investment

LGA responds to CQC children’s mental health report

LGA responds to Which? research on care home choice

Fire service funding needs to address increased 'elderly risk' factor

LGA responds to social care spending figures

Local Housing Allowance: Councils respond to PM announcement

LGA responds to new litter-tackling powers announced by Defra

RAC Foundation report on penalty notices - LGA response 

Opposition Watch

MP sex pest scandal: 36 Tories named over sexual misconduct allegations in Tory spreadsheet of shame.

Tory minister 'admits making aide buy adult toys amid Westminster harassment scandal'.

Tory MP Bob Blackman hosts anti-Muslim nationalist in parliament.

Black feminist campaigner alleges Ukip press officer made offensive comments to her.
 
Ex-UKIP donor Arron Banks in Rochester by-election expenses row.

By-elections

By-election results from 26 October 2017:

Tameside MB, Droylsden East
Lab 1064 [60.3%; +8.9%]
Con 577 [32.7%; +23.6%]
LD 63 [3.6%; +3.6%]
Green 60 [3.4%; -2.5%]
UKIP 0 [[0.0%; -32.5%]]
Ind 0 [[0.0%; -5.7%]]
Labour hold 

Charnwood BC, Loughborough Hastings (2 seats)
Lab 676 [63.1%; +17.7%]
Lab 648
Con 228 [21.3%; -2.1%]
UKIP 95 [8.9%; -8.3%]
UKIP 79
Green 73 [6.8%; -7.3%]
Green 58 [5.6%; -8.5%]
Lab hold x2 

Derbyshire Dales DC, Ashbourne South
Con 495 [46.2%; -9.1%]
LD [31.2%; +31.2%]
Lab 242 [22.6%; -1.9%]
Grn 0 [0.0%; -21.7%]
Conservative hold 

Herefordshire UA, Kings Acre
Con 302 [38.5%; +38.5%]
Ind 156 [20.6%; +20.6]
IOC 162 [19.9%; -30.2%]
LD 90 [11.5%; -21.9%]
Lab 75 [9.6%; +9.6%]
Conservative gain 

Kirklees MB, Batley East
Lab  2640 [77.0%; +7.2%]
Con 443 [12.9%; -1.0%]
Ind 140 [4.1%; +4.1%]
LD  136 [4.0%; -1.5%]
Grn 70 [2.0%; -2.2]
Ind 0 [[0.0; -10.2]]
Labour hold

Mid Sussex DC, East Sussex Imberhorne
Con 540 [58.5%; -2.0%]
LD 206 [22.3%; +22.3%]
Lab 110 [11.9%; -8.7%]
Ind 67 [7.3%; +7.3%]
UKIP 0 [0.0%; -18.8%]
Conservative hold 

There are 6 by-elections taking place on Thursday 2nd November 2017:

Arun DC, Aldwich West
Buckinghamshire CC, Beaconsfield
Copeland BC, Egremont South
North Devon DC, Braunton East
Sefton MB, Duke’s
South Bucks, Beaconsfield North