News from local Labour
The value of Birmingham City Council’s parks and open spaces has been calculated to be £11bn
Children’s Services in Tower Hamlets have been rated good, just two years after the service was rated as inadequate
Southampton City Council is introducing new licensing conditions for taxi and private hire vehicles to improve air quality in the city
Trafford Council has launched the borough’s first ever play street
A park in High Peak has been awarded a Green Flag for the fifth year in a row
Want to share your local story of success? Send to martha.lauchlan@local.gov.uk
Last Call - Next Generation Programme 2019/20
The Next Generation Programme for 2019-20 is 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 Holder, Service Committee Chair, Portfolio Shadow, or Chair of Scrutiny – or your Group Leader agrees that you are likely to be so within a year. There is a competitive application process, which closes on Wednesday 31 July 2018. You will need sign off from your Group Leader to apply. The programme will run over the weekends of 19/20 October (London), 30 November/1 December (Warwick), and 18/19 January (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@local.gov.uk
To apply please complete the on-line application process.
Labour Local Government Trade Union Principles
At the LGA Labour Group AGM at LGA Conference, the 2019 Labour Local Government Trade Union Principles were agreed. These principles have been developed in partnership with the local government unions – UNISON, GMB, and Unite. The agreement is designed to help establish and strengthen the dialogue between Labour council leaders and councillors and local staff trade unions. It sets out the standards which the LGA Labour Group believe should be met by Labour councils in their relationships with the unions and their policies, and covers austerity, good industrial relations, exemplary employment practice, the LGPS, promoting equality and in-house services, opposing academisation, and the Trade Union Act. You can view the principles here.
Councillors’ guide to handling intimidation
The LGA and Welsh LGA has launched a guide for councillors about how to handle intimidation. This has been developed in recognition of the growing need for support on handling intimidation. The guide covers topics such as how to handle abuse, both face-to-face, letters or online, and the legal and practical remedies, including the nature of the criminal offences involved and will be continuously updated with the latest advice and information available.
You can view the guide here.
LGA Labour – Annual Report and Review
The 2019 LGA Labour Annual Report and Review was launched earlier this month – and is available to read online.
Contributors include Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, LGA Labour leader Nick Forbes, Cllr Farah Hussain writing about the LGA Labour Women’s Taskforce, an annual NEC report from Cllr Alice Perry, reports from each of the ten LGA Labour policy leads, local elections analysis, and an in-depth look at all aspects of the work of the Labour Group.
You can download or read the full report here. If you’d like hard copies for your Labour Group, please email hannah.lazell@local.gov.uk
Job opportunity - Cabinet Support Officer at Tower Hamlets Council
The Mayor’s Office at Tower Hamlets Council is recruiting for a new Cabinet Support Officer to provide wide-ranging and pro-active support to the council’s Deputy Mayors and Cabinet members in carrying out their executive roles.
Our Cabinet Support Officers provide effective and politically astute administrative support including diary and correspondence management, casework administration, policy advice, project work, speech writing and briefings for Cabinet members. You will ensure an effective and highly efficient support service is provided, including managing diaries and overseeing their correspondence. You will also carry out policy, research and project work relevant to their Cabinet portfolios, ensuring that they are fully briefed and kept abreast of emerging issues, as well as providing advice on contentious issues. You will need to be organised, a skilled communicator and have an ability to prioritise as you will act as a key point of contact between Cabinet Members, the Mayor, Corporate Directors, and Senior Officers as well as community and external organisations.
Application info
The closing date for applications is Sunday 4th August. You can find the more details and apply online here.
If you have any queries or just want to arrange a chat about the role, contact David.Courcoux@towerhamlets.gov.uk
The practice of kindness
Since March 2018, the Carnegie UK Trust has been coordinating a Kindness Innovation Network and working in partnership with councils to explore practical ways to encourage kindness in communities and organisations. The Practice of Kindness, and the accompanying short film, brings together all that we have learnt about what needs to be done for kindness to be more commonly a part of people’s experiences in communities and in their relationships with organisations and services.
News from Wales
Newport City Council is using a once neglected allotment to grow food for the local foodbank
Torfaen Council is holding Love Food Hate Waste Cooking classes for residents over the summer
News from the Labour Party
Angela Rayner – Jo Swinson can’t airbrush Lib Dem record from history
Racheal Maskell has responded to Boris Johnson’s speech saying “nothing has changed”
Andy McDonald has responded to Prime Minister’s Manchester – Leeds rail route announcement
Jeremy Corbyn – Labour announces multi billion pound investment in Mersey Tidal Power project to reverse the years of decline in the north and tackle the climate emergency
Andy McDonald has challenged Boris Johnson to match Labour’s Crossrail for the North plans
News from the LGA
“Love Island effect”: Warning at body image drug increase
LGA responds to Prime Minister’s funding for towns announcement
LGA responds to hospital admissions from care home data
LGA responds to annual FGM figures
LGA responds to prevention green paper
LGA responds to announcement of the new Prime Minister
LGA responds to Waste and Resources Strategy Consultation response from DEFRA
Opposition Watch
Rebel MP Steve Baker has turned down a role as a Government Minister, saying that “disaster awaits” if Britain does not leave the European Union by 31st October
By-election results from 25 July
Gloucester CC – Podsmead
Liberal Democrat 203 [30.0%; +30.0%]
Conservative 200 [29.6%; -18.5%]
Labour 122 [18.0%; -33.9%]
Brexit Party 111 [16.4%; +16.4%]
Green 29 [4.3%; +4.3%]
UKIP 11 [1.6%; +1.6%]
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour
Gloucester CC – Barnwood
Liberal Democrat 679 [46.5%; +15.1]
Conservative 496 [34.1%; -6.0%]
Brexit Party 152 [10.5%; +10.5%]
Labour 64 [4.4%; -6.9%]
Green 59 [4.1%; -1.3%]
UKIP 6 [0.4%; -11.2%]
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative
Hartlepool UA – Hart
Labour 366 [30.5%; +1.3%]
Independent Union 358 [29.8%; +28.9%]
Green 196 [16.3%; +12.7]
For Britain Movement 166 [13.8%; +13.8]
UKIP 114 [9.5%; -17.7]
Independent [[0.0%; -20.3%]]
Conservative [[0.0%; -19.7%]]
Labour HOLD
By-elections on 1st August
Huntingdonshire DC – Godmanchester & Hemingford Abbots
Stockport MB – Hazel Grove
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