News from the Leader of the LGA Labour Group - 6 February 2018

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6 February 2018

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

Thank you to the 400+ colleagues who attended the successful Labour Local Government Conference in Nottingham this weekend. If you were unable to attend, you can read the keynote speeches here:
 
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP’s speech to Labour Local Government Conference.
 
LGA Labour leader Cllr Nick Forbes’ speech to Labour Local Government conference.
 
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Andrew Gwynne MP’s speech to conference.
 
You may also want to check the #LabLocal18 hashtag on Twitter for coverage of the plenaries and breakout meetings – there was a huge variety of debate on offer.
 
Next year’s Labour Local Government Conference will be held in Warwick on the 8th and 9th of February 2019 – put it in your diary now!

News from Local Labour

Blackpool set to become first council to manage its own water supply.

Hackney and Islington councils are consulting on a scheme to ban petrol and diesel vehicles from entering nine streets in Hoxton and Shoreditch.

Funding secured to develop hundreds of new homes in Sheffield.

In the week in which we celebrate the anniversary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which gave some women the right to vote for the first time, Labour has three new women council leaders: Brenda Warrington was elected as Tameside Council’s first female leader; Emma Toal was elected as the new leader of Harlow Council; and Susan Brown will become Oxford City Council leader in May.

Harrow and Ealing libraries are back in-house after Carillion collapse. 

Nottingham’s Robin Hood Energy: ‘Our community energy company is rolling back privatisation’.

Co-operative Councils Innovation Network launched the Community Led Housing Commission report.

Chorley City Council pushes ahead with £16 town centre development plan.

LGA Labour Group By-elections

Richard Henry (Stevenage) has been elected unopposed as the Regional Rep for the Eastern Region.

Nominations for Regional Rep for the North East Region have been received from Cllr Sue Jeffery (Redcar & Cleveland) and Cllr Iain Malcolm (South Tyneside) - ballots for this election were sent to Group Leaders in this region yesterday.

News from Wales

Cardiff Council begins construction on new cycling infrastructure scheme.

Newport Council adopts measures to ensure citizen traffic safety.

News from the Labour Party

Andrew Gwynne MP backs local calls for commissioners to be called into bankrupt Northamptonshire County Council.

Labour Celebrates Centenary of Women’s Suffrage.

Abandoning four hour A&E target is a shocking indication of how Tories are running down our NHS.

The Government must also address the causes of the problems and not just the symptoms – Rebecca Long Bailey MP.

NSPCC is right to warn that we have not done enough to protect children from online harm – Tom Watson MP.

Dawn Butler, Angela Rayner, trans activist Paris Lees and LGBT Labour’s Ian Dylan Thomas tell us why LGBT History Month is so important.

Diane Abbott MP speaking in response to the publication of the Police grant report.

The roll-out of tax free childcare has been a total shambles – Tracy Brabin MP.

National news

Tories accused of fuelling housing crisis with £3.5 billion 'firesale' of council homes.

Frail and vulnerable patients are being trapped in an "endless cycle" of going in and out of hospitals in England, the British Red Cross is warning.

Taxi drivers admit licence regulation needs to be tougher.

Tory cuts have caused homelessness to surge fivefold with 10,000 people now estimated to be sleeping rough.

May “categorically” rules out EU customs union post-Brexit, amidst pressures.

Job Opportunities

Labour Group Support Officer for Islington Council:
Islington Council is looking for a politically aware and hard-working person to join the team supporting the Labour Group to help make the borough a fairer place for all. The role is a great opportunity to work at the heart of an innovative Labour council, assisting councillors with briefings, political advice and admin support. For more details, click here or contact Matt Rhodes, Head of Labour Group Leader’s Office & Policy Adviser, for more details - matthew.rhodes@islington.gov.uk

Brighton and Hove Labour Group is looking to recruit an organiser for the 2019 local elections:
The post holder will help develop and deliver the 2019 campaign plan; organise campaign activities; support and develop volunteers; support the development of the manifesto and undertake campaign media and communications. This will be done in collaboration with the Labour Group and Local Campaign Forum, the 2019 election candidates, local MPs, Labour Party officers, Constituency Labour Parties, branches and other units within the Party. Details here.

News from the LGA

LGA responds to Suzy Lamplugh Trust report on taxi licensing

LGA responds to Red Cross report on hospital discharges and readmissions

Councils back licensing bill to establish national database of taxi drivers

LGA responds to Taxi Licensing Bill being talked out

LGA responds to Sense report on care for people with disabilities

£3.5 billion Right-to-Buy discounts threatens scheme

Opposition Watch

Tory-led Northamptonshire County Council bans spending as they run risk of unbalanced budget.

UKIP “faces bankruptcy” over failure to pay £690,000 in damages.

Infighting continues to cripple the Tory Government as Brexit talks stall.

By-elections

By-election results from 1 February 2018

Sunderland MB, Pallion
LD 1251 [53.9%; +49.5%]
Lab 807 [34.8%; -15.9%]
Con 126 [5.4%; -7.2%]
UKIP 97 [4.2%; -24.7%]
Green 39 [1.7%; -1.8%]
Lib Dem gain from Labour 

Cornwall UA, Falmouth Smithick
Lab 643 [60.2%; +19.9%]
LD 184 [17.2%; -1.7%]
Con 184 [17.2%; -7.2%]
Green 57 [5.3%; -11.0%]
Labour hold 

By-elections taking place on 8 February 2018

Brighton & Hove UA, East Brighton
East Staffordshire, Stretton
Eden DC, Hartside
South Staffordshire DC, Codsall South
Staffordshire CC, Codsall
Weymouth & Portland BC, Tophill East
Weymouth & Portland BC, Tophill West