News from local labour
Norwich council houses win Stirling architecture prize.
How Labour in Preston and Islington is building a new economic movement.
South Tyneside Council launches a radical approach to improve the life chances of young people leaving the care system.
Hounslow Council supports London’s hub for small businesses preparing for Brexit.
Manchester City Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, backs call for ‘Northern Forest’.
Want to share your local story of success? Send to martha.lauchlan@local.gov.uk.
Save the date – LGA/ALC Local Government Conference
The LGA/ALC Local Government Conference will take place on 7-8 February 2020 at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham. Please hold the date in your diary until tickets become available to purchase this week.
National Education Union campaign - councils against the SEND funding crisis
As of January 2019, 8,500 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) had no place in school. Due to years of successive cuts we have ended up with a funding crisis within SEND and high needs provision. Local authorities bear the brunt of the damage central government cuts cause, leaving many children and families unhappy.
The National Education Union (NEU) Councillors Network is coordinating a letter from the leaders and education leads of all upper tier councils to the Secretary of State for Education to ensure that SEND and high needs is funded properly. If you wish to encourage your council leader or education lead to sign this letter, it would be greatly appreciated.
For any questions about this campaign or the letter, please email Henry Fowler, National Campaign Manager for the NEU at: henry.fowler@neu.org.uk
LGA Labour Climate Emergency website
Labour in local government continues to lead and champion the climate emergency. Last week we launched our LGA Labour Climate Emergency website to share best practice, case studies, blogs and campaign resources of Labour in local government tackling the effects of climate change.
We are actively looking for examples from your own area (particularly local Labour Party campaign leaflets on environmental issues or examples of how you are talking to residents about environmental issues). Please do share them with the LGA Labour group office by emailing hannah.lazell@local.gov.uk.
LGA Audit Committees – book your place
The world of audit just got interesting! The role of Audit Committees is to ensure that the council has an effective system for managing risks and controlling its finances. In these times of reduced resources and enhanced risk this role is more important than ever. With a government review of local government underway and controversy in the private sector about the role of external auditors, there has never been a better time to reflect on how audit committees need to be fulfilling their role. Aimed at Audit Committee Chairs, this programme will discuss how Audit Committees can be most effective, drawing on the insights of auditors to ensure that the public can have confidence in the way the council is managing its financial affairs.
- Programme 1: Thursday 9 January - Friday 10 January 2020
- Programme 2: Saturday 1 February – Sunday 2 February 2020
Both taking place at Warwick Conferences, Coventry CV4 7SH
Fee: The cost of attending this programme is fully subsidised. This includes accommodation, meals, course materials and tuition.
To book email: grace.collins@local.gov.uk or Tel: 0207 664 3054.
LGA Effective Opposition – book your place
Opposition Labour group leaders and deputy leaders may be interested in attending the LGA’s ‘Effective Opposition’ course in Warwick. This program is designed to help participants to get a better understanding of how they can enhance the effectiveness of their role in leading an opposition group on their council. It will focus on a range of relevant topics, skills and techniques, including building good working relationships with key officers, engaging with external stakeholders, working with the local media and getting the most out of social media.
The programme will provide a unique, cross-party opportunity for participants to explore the nature of effective opposition and gain some insight into their personal leadership and influencing styles. The course is being run twice:
- Programme 10: Thursday 14 November - Friday 15 November 2019
- Programme 11: Saturday 18 January - Sunday 19 January 2020
Fee: The cost for attending this two-day residential event is only £150, which covers the cost of accommodation, meals, tuition and materials.
To book email grace.collins@local.gov.uk or phone 0207 664 3054.
News from Wales
Robotic cats bring happiness to users of a day centre in Caerphilly.
Newport Civic Centre is turning pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week.
News from the Labour Party
Research shows 80 per cent of English councils have scrapped School Uniform Grant – Angela Rayner
Keir Starmer response to Number 10’s statement on the Brexit negotiations.
Labour pledges to create 70,000 more jobs in offshore windfarms.
News from the LGA
Queen's Speech: LGA responds to Devolution White Paper
Queen's Speech: LGA responds to Building Safety Bill
Queen's Speech: LGA responds to Environment Bill
Housing Crisis - spending on B&Bs for homeless rockets since 2010
LGA responds to £250 million investment in cultural infrastructure
LGA: Adult social care services help cut half a million unnecessary hospital bed days
LGA responds to Institute of Health Visiting report
LGA responds to PWLB rate rise
LGA responds to Education Policy Institute report on unexplained pupil exits
LGA responds to latest NCMP statistics on overweight and obese children
LGA responds to Chief Medical Officer's report on childhood obesity
LGA responds to NHS Providers 'The state of the NHS provider sector' report
LGA responds to HMI Prohibition report on children leaving custody
Opposition Watch
Queen's speech reveals tougher jail terms and end to free movement.
Sturgeon to request fresh independence referendum 'within weeks'.
Dominic Cummings accused of conflict of interest over NHS fund.
Tory MPs five times more likely to vote against climate action.
Boris Johnson branded as cowardly for avoiding critics in Liverpool by Mayor Joe Anderson.
By-elections
By-elections held on 10 October:
Corby BC, Beanfield
Labour – 818 [56.0%, -5.1%]
Conservative – 497 [34.0%, +17.4%]
Liberal Democrats – 147 [10.1%, +10.1%]
Labour hold.
Watford BC, Tudor
Liberal Democrats – 871 [55.4%, -5.2%]
Conservative – 490 [31.2%, +9.8%]
Labour – 210 [13.4%, -4.6%]
Lib Dem hold.
Basingstoke and Deane BC, Bramley and Sherfield
Independent – 800 [57.2%, +57.2%]
Conservative – 449 [32.1%, -24.1%]
Independent – 150 [10.7%, +10.7%]
Independent gain from Conservative.
Five by-elections to be held on 17 October:
Gravesham BC, Westcourt
Liverpool MBC, Princes Park
The Haywards Heath Town Council, Franklands
Richmondshire DC, Hawes, High Abbotside and Upper Swaledale
North Yorkshire CC, Upper Dales
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