|
Dear colleague,
With the last few weeks being full of chops and changes to do with Brexit, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight and reflect on the proposed Bills and promised White Papers announced within The Queen's Speech.
The LGA had lobbied for a new financial and devolutionary settlement for local government to empower councils. So it was definitely encouraging to see that the Queen’s Speech signalled a renewed energy in favour of domestic policies and English devolution. As we know, the ability to decide how to run our local services is key for further improvement and the opportunity to save money locally. As no new devolution deals have been agreed in the last two years, we will need to work closely with Government in order to start this process in a way that benefits all local areas.
Equally, as you will know, the LGA has been lobbying hard over the last two years for the Government to revise the funding structures for adult social care, and so the announcement to bring forward proposals to reform adult social care was positive. Hopefully, as Government has recognised the need for increased funding to support children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND), they will act to ensure councils have the resources they need to keep all members of their communities safe.
As announced this week, a General Election has been confirmed for Thursday 12 December, so we do indeed have the opportunity to demonstrate how Conservative policies positively impact on local communities. I am looking forward to reading the Conservative manifesto and I hope there are practical and workable proposals that we can make a positive case for on the doorsteps.
The next weeks will be extremely busy for us all but, as always, if there is anything I can do to support you please get in touch.
Best wishes,
Izzi
Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE
Leader, LGA Conservative Group |
|
 |
For all the latest news from the LGA Conservative Group please follow us on Twitter at @LGACons
LGA Conservative Group 'Be a Councillor' programme: funding available
Increasing the pool of talent from which councillors are elected is a key task for local government. We need different kinds of people who are willing to stand for election so that parties get a choice of quality candidates: individuals who have a commitment to local people and a passion for change.
It is for this reason that the LGA runs its ‘Be a Councillor’ campaign.
The campaign has two elements: a corporate, cross-party strand which is run by the LGA’s Leadership and Localism team, and a party political strand which is run individually by the LGA’s political groups.
Ahead of next year’s local elections, the LGA Conservative Group is keen to offer you any help that you may need in terms of candidate selection or training selected candidates. We always aim to be as bespoke as possible. Examples of previous support include:
- financial support for introductory events for people who are interested in becoming a councillor – for example, a coffee morning or a meeting with existing councillors.
- formal training in group sessions for people who have been selected – for example, on the role of the councillor, legal aspects of the campaign, dealing with the media, etc.
- supporting groups/associations who are having trouble attracting candidates or who would like to attract a more diverse range of candidates (for example, via targeted letters to Conservative pledges, Facebook advertising or advertising in local newspapers).
If any of the above would be helpful to you, or indeed if you think we could help in another way, please do let us know at lgaconservatives@local.gov.uk
#OurDay
Every year the LGA holds a 24-hour social media marathon, to give everyone who works or volunteers in local public services the chance to share their stories of how they improve the quality of life of residents. This year #OurDay will take place on Tuesday 19 November.
To help your council prepare for #OurDay, the LGA has devised a how-to kit which includes various hints and tips for the day, as well as a number of digital assets; both of which can be downloaded from the LGA’s website.
Please email OurDay@local.gov.uk if you have any queries.
Free masterclass – Commercial skills for councillors
The LGA has developed a free two-day programme, focusing on how Audit Committees can be most effective, drawing on the insights of auditors to ensure the public can have confidence in the way the councils are managing its financial affairs. This programme is for Audit Committee Chairs.
- Programme 1: 9–10 January 2020
- Programme 2: 1–2 February 2020
Both will take place at Warwick Conference, Coventry. For more information, and to book onto this course, please email Grace Collins.
LGA Productivity Experts Programme
The LGA’s Productivity Experts Programme is now open for applications, with the deadline being 5 December 2019.
The programme provides authorities with expertise to realise ambitious efficiency savings and income generation projects. The programme is open to councils, fire and rescue services and national parks.
If you have an innovative project that looks to save or generate income, and would welcome a £7,000 grant boost, please apply now.
Housing Skills
The Housing Business Ready Springboard – which the LGA and the Housing & Finance Institute delivers – is now open for councillors.
The Springboard is designed to help councils shape delivery of homes in their areas and provides an opportunity to hear from speakers from Homes England, Savills and other investment, construction, planning, law and finance experts.
Councillors can sign up now and those who do so by Monday 4 November can take advantage of a discounted rate.
LGA Councillors' Forum
|
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.
|
|
 |
The Councillors’ Forum dates are as follows, starting with a group meeting at 11am and then the Councillors’ Forum from 12.30pm:
- Thursday 23 January 2020
- Thursday 12 March 2020
- Thursday 4 June 2020
- Thursday 16 July 2020
LGA 'first' magazine
 |
|
'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
|
|
