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Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the LGA Conservative Group's weekly email newsletter, in which we highlight the latest information associated with COVID-19, other topical issues and events taking place.
Last week, the Government’s 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme, which delivered such a vital boost to the hospitality sector, ended. The scheme was used over 64 million times and such was its success that some establishments have decided to continue it at their own expense in the coming months.
We also saw the start of pupils returning to school last week. This is a very welcome big step towards returning to normality for many children and their parents, and thanks must go to schools and their staff together with the tremendous work done by local councils to enable this to happen safely.
We also have a number of dates for your diaries.
This year’s Members’ Briefing Day for those appointed to LGA Boards will be held virtually on Thursday 10 September (10.30am-12.20pm). Those members appointed to boards for the 2020/21 cycle should have received the details and a Zoom link from the LGA’s Member Services team.
Following on from this, there will be a virtual Conservative Group meeting from 12.30pm-1.30pm and we are delighted that Nickie Aiken MP will be speaking and answering questions. If you wish to join us please contact the Group Office for joining details.
Our programme of Conservative Group policy webinars resumes on 17 September when, from 6.15pm-7pm, Matt Hancock will be joining us to discuss Public Health.
This will be followed by webinars on Housing and Planning with Christopher Pincher MP on 18 September from 2pm-3pm and the 'Future of High Streets' with Bill Grimsey on 23 September from 11am-12pm.
If you would like to join any of the above webinars, please email us. Also, if there are any issues or policy areas that you would like us to cover in the future please do let us know.
As always, if there is anything I or our regional lead peers can do to assist, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can find more details about our Lead Peers at the bottom of this newsletter.
Best wishes,
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
If you’d also like to subscribe to the LGA’s monthly e-bulletin of First Magazine, please visit the dedicated website.
LGA Conservative Group Next Generation Programme
Conservative Group Leaders recently received notification that nominations have opened for the 2020-2021 Next Generation Programme. Background information about this programme can be found on the LGA website.
We are looking for ambitious councillors that have been elected for at least two years and currently hold or likely to hold within a short time frame some form of leadership position. For example, Cabinet member, Deputy Cabinet member, Scrutiny Chairman, Shadow Portfolio holder, etc.
We do look at each application on a case by case basis and use the above criteria as a guide rather than an absolute. We ask that applicants are supported and recommended by their Group Leader.
This year’s programme will run over three separate two day residential modules, each starting at 9am on a Friday and finishing by 4pm on the Saturday.
The module dates are:
- Module 1: Friday 6 November – Saturday 7 November 2020, Warwick Conference Centre
- Module 2: Friday 8 January – Saturday 9 January 2021, Warwick Conference Centre
- Module 3: Friday 19 March – Saturday 20 March 2021, Warwick Conference Centre
Similar courses would normally cost thousands of pounds to participants, however we run this course at no cost to the individual or their council. The only thing we do not cover is an individual's travel costs to and from each module. As such, we ask that applicants commit to attending each and every module. If they cannot, unfortunately we will not be able to offer them a place on the course.
Please find the application form via the link below:
Conservative Next Generation 2020/21 Application
We usually have space for approximately 20 councillors and expect demand to be high. Applications will close on Friday 11 September.
Culture Recovery Fund
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has provided a summary of the funding streams available as part of the Culture Recovery Fund.
Schools
The Government has published guidance for schools and further education providers on the initial supply of coronavirus home testing kits for pupils, teachers and staff. All schools and further education providers will receive an initial supply of 10 home test kits.
Business support
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published its weekly update on the amount of funding distributed through the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund by each council.
DEFRA consultation on waste management
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a consultation on the draft waste management plan for England and associated environment report.
Webinar: maintaining your own resilience as a councillor
This webinar, which takes place on 14 September from 10.30am-11.45am, will look at the role of the councillor during the pandemic, share stories from colleagues and provides tips and techniques for taking care of your own health.
Conservative Regional Lead Peers
The regional Lead Peers and the areas they cover are as follows:
- Lord Porter of Spalding CBE - National Lead Peer & Regional Lead Peer for the South East
- Councillor Paul Middlebrough - Regional Lead Peer for the South West, Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- Councillor William Nunn - Regional Lead Peer for the East of England
- Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE - Regional Lead Peer for London
- Councillor Glen Sanderson JP - Regional Lead Peer for the East Midlands, North East and Yorkshire & Humber
- Councillor Mike Wilcox - Regional Lead Peer for the West Midlands and North West
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