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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.
Early this week, Boris Johnson announced that Covid restrictions will be lifted on 19th July (post final data review) as promised. On this basis large events can restart, businesses are allowed to fully reopen to everyone, social distancing and mask wearing measures will be withdrawn and no limits will be applied against the number of people visiting family in care homes.
To help reduce the spread of the virus, he also highlighted that the Government would further accelerate the vaccine rollout, maintain tough borders controls and continue with an updated test and trace programme. This is a major progression in our roadmap, and it will be good to return to normality after a tough year.
As you read this newsletter, we have just finished the LGA annual virtual Conference and I hope those who attended enjoyed this fantastic event. It was so nice to see many Conservative councillors attending the Conference and our Group meetings and engaging with ministers.
During the Conservative Group AGM, Rachel Oldham (CCA Head of Local Government), declared the ballot results for the LGA Conservative Group Executive 2021/22. If you missed this meeting, here are the results:
- Cllr James Jamieson - LGA Chairman
- Cllr Isobel Seccombe OBE - Conservative Group Leader
- Cllr John Fuller OBE - Conservative Group Deputy Leader
- Cllr David Fothergill - County Council Executive Member
- Cllr Linda Robinson - Non-Met District Council Executive Member
- Cllr Joanne Laban - London Borough Council Executive Member
- Cllr Nicholas Jones - Metropolitan District Council Executive Member
- Cllr Paul Bettison OBE - Unitary Council Executive Member
- Cllr Philip Atkins OBE – “At Large” Executive Members
- Cllr Kevin Bentley – “At Large” Executive Members
- Cllr Rory Love OBE - “At Large” Executive Members
- Cllr William Nunn – “At Large” Executive Members
I feel privileged to have been elected as the LGA Conservative Group Leader again and am looking forward to work with the new team. I would like to also take this opportunity to send my commiserations to those who were not successful this year and thank colleagues who served during the previous cycle.
As a final remark, please note that closing date for receipt of LGA policy boards nominations is Monday 12th July. This year the process for nomination to the boards will be by completing an online form and the relevant information and links sent to all Conservative Group Leaders a few weeks ago. Please contact your leader to find out how to apply.
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.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe
Group Leader, LGA Conservative Group |
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Self-isolation rules
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid has confirmed that from 16 August, anyone who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate, if they’ve been fully vaccinated.
Schools COVID Guidance
The Department for Education has published operational guidance for schools which will come into effect from Step 4 of the roadmap.
COVID-19 vaccines impact study
Public Health England and the University of Cambridge have released new modelling analysis which suggests that the COVID-19 vaccination programme has so far prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths in England.
New apps for improving and extending homes
The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has announced two new web apps to help homeowners improve and extend their homes. The first app, called RIPA (Reducing Invalid Planning Applications), is for homeowners to find out whether their plans meet local and national requirements. They can then apply within the app for a certificate they need to show their plans are permitted development, enabling the building work to go ahead. The second app, called BoPS (Back office Planning System), is to help council planning officials track and manage permitted development applications.
Building Safety Bill
The Government has published the Building Safety Bill which aims to set out a clear pathway for how residential buildings should be constructed and maintained.
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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