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Dear colleague,
Welcome to the LGA Conservative Group's newsletter, in which we highlight the latest information associated with COVID-19 and other topical issues.
Due to increasing concerns over the Delta variant, on Monday the Prime Minister rightly extended current lockdown rules by four weeks to allow more people receive their Covid-19 vaccine. Thanks to the continued success of the vaccine rollout, we have made significant progress in reducing the number of new Covid cases, and now by being a bit more cautious we can ensure more lives are saved.
As members are aware, we make a number of appointments to LGA boards each year and every Conservative Group can nominate up to three of its members to be considered for appointment. This year the process for nomination to the boards will be by completing an online form and the relevant information and links have been sent to all Conservative Group Leaders.
If you are interested or would like to take part, please contact your Group Leader for further details. Closing date for receipt of these nominations is Monday 12 July and appointments will be made shortly after the closing date. Additionally, we will be making appointments to our National and Regional Lead Peer positions and to the Congress for the Council of Europe.
Finally, as a reminder, the LGA’s online Annual Conference will take place in less than 20 days and is free to LGA’s member councils. This is the event you do not want to miss – jam packed with incredible speakers discussing issues that matter most to local government.
Moreover, we will get a chance to debate important topics such as planning and adult social care among ourselves in the Conservative Group meetings.
I would strongly encourage colleagues to make every effort to attend both our Group AGM on Tuesday 6 July, and the Conservative Group meetings on Wednesday 7 July and Thursday 8 July. During these dates we will be joined by guest speakers including Luke Hall, Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Chris Pincher, Minister for Housing and many more.
Please register today, if you have not already done so, and make the most of this great opportunity.
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
Group Leader, LGA Conservative Group |
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Funding and support for asylum seeking children and care leavers
Local leaders will have received a letter from the Home Office and Department for Education Ministers last week announcing a range of measures underpinning a national rota system for the transfer of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). Starting in July, this revised National Transfer Scheme from areas with high numbers will see increased funding backdated from 1 April 2021. This includes grant funding rates for former UASC care leavers rising from £240 per week to £270, a higher daily rate of £143 for unaccompanied children for authorities accepting transfers and a £3 million exceptional cases fund.
Tourism Recovery Plan
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport launched the Tourism Recovery Plan, which includes a new rail pass and a National Lottery-funded £10 million voucher scheme for popular tourist attractions.
Regulators' Pioneer Fund
The Better Regulation Executive is encouraging local authorities to bid for up to £200,000 to support projects aimed at encouraging a regulatory environment that encourages business innovation and investment. The deadline for applications is 15 July.
LGA National Events: Welcome to Newly Elected Councillors
Following the recent elections, the LGA are pleased to invite all newly elected councillors to attend one of our virtual national welcome events, hosted via zoom. This will be a great opportunity for new councillors to explore what their role means; learn about challenges facing councils; and meet colleagues from other councils.
The virtual events are free of charge and will run for 90 mins on 22 June (10am) and 28 June (5:30pm) and delegates can choose to attend one of these sessions to suit their availability.
The sessions will be hosted by the LGA and will complement council’s own induction programmes. Delegates can register via the LGA's Events page.
COP 26 case studies
In the lead up to COP26, the LGA is looking to showcase councils’ best practice from every region, linking with the four COP26 goals: mitigation, adaptation, finance and collaboration. If you have any good practice you would like to share, please fill out this form by 25 June. If you just want to find out more or have a question, then please email climate@local.gov.uk.
Welcome Back Funding guidance
Councils across the country are working hard to support the safe reopening of high streets and town centres, encouraging shoppers back to local businesses. The Government has issued new guidance for councils around the £56 million Welcome Back Fund, building on guidance for the previous Reopening High Street Safely Fund.
Best practice
We are looking for examples of best practice from Conservative-run councils on a range of activities, including local test and trace schemes, supporting local businesses and high streets, as well helping local communities at a neighbourhood level.
The examples highlighted are obviously not exclusive and please do email us any best practice examples that you feel demonstrates how Conservative councils and councillors are supporting their communities during the latest phase of the pandemic.
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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