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Dear colleague,
This month started extremely positively, with the Spending Round announcing £3.5 billion for local services. The additional £1.5 billion for adult social care, and £700 million for children and young people with special educational needs will really help us provide the support that the most vulnerable members of our community deserve.
The coming weeks will bring many more opportunities to continue to demonstrate how we as councillors benefit our local communities and services, be this at Party Conference, canvassing ahead of a General Election that seems likely to occur sooner rather than later, or during our lobbying opportunities ahead of the Queen’s Speech.
As part of the LGA’s #CouncilsCan campaign the Chairman, other Political Group Leaders and I are calling for the Government to use the Queen’s Speech to introduce a seven point legislative programme, which would give councils the freedoms to decide where funding should be allocated in their local area.
The programme focuses on creating more school spaces, building more homes, enhancing local economic growth, improving local infrastructure and upskilling residents.
If councils are given this opportunity, we hope it would be the start of a long-term, sustainable funding settlement that would help us fund and protect the services we provide for our communities.
The message is getting out to central government and the public that we, as councillors, can be trusted to protect and enhance our local communities, and provide great value for our residents. I do hope this next step of the #CouncilsCan campaign is as successful as the last.
Please do get involved where you can.
Best wishes,
Izzi
Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE
Leader, LGA Conservative Group |
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For all the latest news from the LGA Conservative Group please follow us on Twitter at @LGACons
The Conservative Party Conference 2019
At this year’s Conservative Party Conference the LGA is hosting and participating in a range of debates and round-tables with stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
We would like to encourage you to attend the following events that the LGA Conservative Group is associated with:
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The LGA Debate: Why is the Queen’s Speech important for local government? - Tuesday 1 October (4–5.30pm, Exchange 10, Manchester Central)
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The LGA Evening Reception - Tuesday 1 October (8–9.30pm, Charter 4, Manchester Central)
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MHCLG Team Policy Q&A (organised by the CCA and sponsored by the LGA Conservative Group) - Tuesday 1 October, (12:45-2pm, Exchange 11, Manchester Central)
Pre-registration is essential via the CCA exhibition stand.
CfPS annual survey of scrutiny in local government
The Centre for Public Scrutiny’s annual survey of overview and scrutiny in local government is now open and looking for responses from councillors, officers and specifically senior scrutiny officers.
This survey looks to gather intelligence and insight on local government scrutiny, and wider governance issues, to support the sector and to better understand what improvements can be made. We are encouraging councillors to fill in the survey so that the CfPS is able to provide targeted and relevant support.
The survey is available via SurveyMonkey.
Free masterclass – Commercial skills for councillors
The LGA has developed a free one-day commercial skills masterclass for councillors, helping councils look at innovative ways to generate income and transform their organisations in response to local needs.
The masterclass is being held at the following locations:
If you have any further questions or require any additional information, please email commercialskills@local.gov.uk
Brexit – No Deal immigration arrangements
The Home Office has released a policy paper which sets out the immigration arrangements that will apply to EU citizens who are moving to the UK after 31 October 2019 (if the UK leaves the EU without a deal).
In summary, after 31 October 2019 EU citizens who move to the UK will be able to apply for a temporary leave to remain, and there will be no need for EU citizens to make any special arrangements in advance. There may, however, be some visible changes at the UK border.
LGA Behavioural Insights Programme grant funding 2019
Does your council have a behavioural insights or ‘nudge’ project that would benefit from up to £20,000 match funding to run a trial? If so, apply for phase five of the LGA's prestigious Behavioural Insights Programme by 1 November, part of the sector-led improvement offer of support. The LGA is looking for ideas aimed at managing service demand or achieving efficiencies.
Newly elected councillors sessions
The LGA is hosting its Hitting the Ground Running sessions for newly elected councillors, which aims to enable newer councillors to explore their new role, meet councillors from other local authorities and learn about the support provided from the LGA.
Currently the LGA is partnering with South West Councils, and is holding events in the following locations:
- Poole, Thursday 17 October 2019
- Bristol, Friday 29 November 2019
- Tiverton, Wednesday 4 December 2019
Find out more.
LGA Councillors' Forum
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The LGA holds a regular Councillors' Forum. This is a cross-party meeting which discusses topical issues related to local government.
In addition, the Conservative Group holds a political meeting before the Councillors' Forum where we often welcome topical speakers. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss important political issues in closed session.
All Conservative councillors are welcome to attend the Councillors' Forum and the group meetings. If you wish to do so please email lgaconservatives@local.gov.uk or call us on 020 7664 3264.
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The Councillors’ Forum dates for 2019/20 are as follows, starting with a group meeting at 11am and then the Councillors’ Forum from 12.30pm:
- Thursday 31 October 2019
- Thursday 23 January 2020
- Thursday 12 March 2020
- Thursday 4 June 2020
- Thursday 16 July 2020
LGA 'first' magazine
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'first' is LGA's membership magazine and is received as a hard copy by over 18,000 councillors and 400 Chief Executives. In a response to demand, we have made it easier to read online by creating a dedicated website to read all of its articles, interviews and opinion pieces.
Both the hard copy and online pdf are still available to readers, and subscriptions can be amended online.
Visit the first website.
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