News from the Leader of the LGA Labour Group – 26 June 2018

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26 June 2019

News from the Leader of the LGA Labour Group

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Nick Forbes

Cllr Nick Forbes
Leader of the LGA Labour Group

News from local Labour

Oxford Council successfully resettles 27 refugee families in the city

Norwich council house scheme hailed as among the world’s best architecture

Milton Keynes Council repaired 2,748 potholes in May

Newham Council announces plans to expand autistic provision at primary schools

More than 100 members of different faiths in Bradford met to take part in the launch of a programme by Bradford Council to strengthen faiths and safeguard children and community integration

News from the Labour Party

Government capitulation on FOBTs “pathetic” – Tom Watson MP

500,000 patients are being let down by this Government’s sustained underfunding – Jonathan Ashworth MP.

Cutting other council services is no way to fix the social care crisis – Barbara Keeley MP

Remembrance list

Each year at the LGA Labour Group AGM we remember the names of serving Labour councillors who have passed away in the previous year, reading out their names and authorities to mark their contribution to Labour in local government.

We would be very grateful if you could please email lewis.addlington-lee@local.gov.uk with the full names of any members of your Group who have died in the previous 12 months, so that they can be included on the Remembrance List. Please send us your names no later than 5pm on Monday 2 July.

News from the Labour Party

The number of Government-funded social rented homes being built has fallen by almost 90% since 2010 – John Healey

The Government introduced 30 hours of funded childcare nearly a year ago, but have failed to stump up the cash to make it work – Tracy Brabin

Tory austerity to hand £110 billion in corporate giveaways, new figures reveal

News from Wales

Schoolgirls in Cardiff are set to be the latest in Wales to get free feminine hygiene products under council plans

Newport’s cabinet has agreed a proposal for specialist homes for children with complex needs to be created within the city

REMINDER: LGA Boards 2018/19 – nominations now open

The nomination process for appointments to the LGA Boards 2018/19 is now open. All details can be found on the LGA Labour website.

If you are interested in applying to a position on an LGA Policy Board, the LGA Leadership Board, Councillors Forum, or a Workforce Employer Body, we would encourage you to read the policy board descriptions and role descriptions.

Members are required to complete an application form and submit it with a 250-word supporting statement. It is important to outline all your experience and areas of interest to enable us to make the most effective appointments to policy leadership positions at the LGA.

You will find the application form here. We will require consent from your Group Leader - a consent form is included in the application form.

Applications will close at 5pm on Friday 6 July. Successful nominations will be announced on Monday 23 July.

Appointments are made by the elected Labour Group Officers, using the principles outlined on the LGA Labour website.

Please note: we are only able to accept nominations by email. Please email your completed self-nomination form to lewis.addlington-lee@local.gov.uk.

Next Generation Programme 2018/19

The Next Generation Programme for 2018-19 is now open for applications. The programme offers ambitious and talented councillors an unparalleled political development opportunity, uniquely developed within party political traditions and with party political experts. Next Generation aims to support and encourage councillors to be bold and confident political leaders, progress in your political career and be champions of local government.

To apply to be part of the Next Generation you will need to have been a councillor for at least one year as well as be a Group Leader, Portfolio Shadow, Chair of Scrutiny, Portfolio Holder or Service Committee Chair – or your Group Leader agrees that you are likely to be so within a year. There is a competitive application process, which closes on Tuesday 31 July. You will need sign off from your Group Leader to apply. The programme will run over the weekends of 20/21 October (London), 1/2 December (Warwick) and 19/20 January 2019 (Manchester). Participants must attend all of the three weekends.

There is no cost to attend the programme, all meals and accommodation will be provided including pre-night accommodation where required. However attendees must cover their own travel costs. If you would like further information about the programme, please email Martin Angus.

To apply please complete the on-line application process.

News from the LGA

Councils support Drowning Prevention Week 

Six classrooms worth of children placed on child protection plans every day 

LGA responds to multi million pound funding boost for cultural sector 

LGA responds to Royal Town Planning Institute report on Planning 

LGA responds to report on schools tackling youth mental health crisis 

LGA: Nearly half of all bus routes under threat because of funding cuts to local government 

LGA responds to launch of Child Obesity Strategy 

LGA responds to Which? research on food hygiene 

LGA in Parliament 2017/18

Our parliamentary lobbying is integral to what we do for councils and we know from our membership survey that our lobbying on behalf of local government is important to you. We recently launched our LGA in Parliament report 2017/18, in which we are delighted to update on how we have been working with parliamentarians to ensure the LGA is the national voice for councils. In it we summarise our campaigning on policy and legislation, setting out the work we have undertaken to help achieve positive change for councils and their residents. 

Commercial skills for counillors masterclass: new dates released

This is a free one-day masterclass for councillors, focusing on the importance of the councillor role within the commercialisation process. Following two fully booked pilots, the LGA is hosting the masterclass in three locations: Cambridge, Winchester and Leeds. Councillors will join an LGA member peer and an experienced commercial trainer to learn practical commercial skills and to hear case studies about how these skills have been put into practice. There are 25 places available for each masterclass and the Productivity team has been holding a waiting list since the pilot, so early booking is recommended. To book email productivity@local.gov.uk

Cambridge
24 September 2018
The Cambridge Belfry, Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6BW

Winchester
5 November 2018
Norton Park, Sutton Scotney, Nr Winchester, SO21 3NB

Leeds
17 January 2019
The Queens, City Square, Leeds, LS1 1PJ 

Opposition watch

The end of unitary Torbay Council as Conservative Mayor says 'There is no money'

Where’s Boris? – Boris Johnson on overseas trip despite crucial Heathrow expansion vote

By-elections

By-elections held on 21 June 2018

Watford BC, Oxhey
LD 828 [55.3%; -3.5%]
Con 420 [28.1%; +4.7%]
Lab 248 [16.6%; -1.2%]
Lib Dem hold

Basildon BC, Pitsea South East
Lab 718 [46.1%; +6.7%]
Con 710 [45.6%; 0.0%]
UKIP 130 [8.3%; -2.7%]
DVP 0 [[0.0%; -3.9%]]
Labour gain from UKIP

Basingstoke & Deane BC, Kempshott
Con 884 [60.4%; -6.4%]
Lab 475 [32.4%; +11.3%]
LD 105 [7.2%; -4.9%]
Conservative hold

West Somerset DC, Alcombe
LD 256 [39.2%; +39.2%]
Con 177 [27.1%; +0.9%]
Ind 130 [19.9%; +19.9%]
Lab 90 [13.8%; -5.4%]
Grn 0 [[0.0%; -13.9%]]
Ind 0 [[0.0%; -18.4%]]
UKIP 0 [[0.0%; -22.2%]]
Lib Dem gain from UKIP

Fenland DC, Birch
Con 326 [62.1%; +5.9%]
LD 113 [21.5%; +6.9%]
Ind 86 [16.4%; +16.4%]
UKIP 0 [[0.0%; -29.2%]]
Conservative hold

Basildon BC, Lee Chapel
Lab 612 [57.4%; +1.7%]
Con 267 [25.0%; -1.5%]
UKIP 145 [13.6%; -4.1%]
BNP 42 [3.9%; +3.9%]
Labour hold

South Northamptonshire DC, Astwell
Con 319 [76.9%; -0.9%]
Lab 96 [23.1%; +0.9%]
Conservative hold

Charnwood BC, Quorn & Mountsorrel Castle
Con 719 [51.5%; -7.7%]
Lab 305 [21.8%; -5.1%]
LD 233 [16.7%; +16.7%]
UKIP 139 [10.0%; -3.8%]
Conservative hold

South Northamptonshire DC, Whittlewood
LD 366 [56.7%]
Con 236 [36.5%]
Lab 44 [6.8%]
Lib Dem gain from Conservative

By-elections taking place on 28 June 2018:
North Devon DC, Fremington
Leicestershire CC, Syston Ridgeway
North Kesteven DC, Skellingthorpe
North Kesteven DC, North Hykeham Mill