Calls for action
LGA Conference 2023 – apply now to be part of our Innovation Zone (deadline Monday 27 February)
Each year, the LGA Annual Conference Innovation Zone showcases the outstanding, innovative work of councils across a range of service and policy areas. We are now accepting applications from councils (and organisations working with councils) to be part of the Innovation Zone at the LGA Annual Conference in Bournemouth (Tuesday 4–Thursday 6 July 2023). The Innovation Zone offers a vibrant, creative space and programme within the wider conference, enabling councils to showcase new ideas and solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing local government. The theme for the 2023 Innovation Zone is ‘Challenge and change’.
Applications are open to all councils (and organisations working with councils) with bold and innovative ideas to share. Please note applications will close on Monday 27 February and successful applicants must be available to present in person in Bournemouth.
If you have any questions about the Innovation Zone or your application please email us at innovationzone@local.gov.uk
Sign up now to be part of the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) in 2023
The National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) is the LGA’s flagship graduate scheme, developing new talent in local government for over 20 years. Applications for 2023 opened in September and we have had over 4,600 graduates apply to the NGDP to fast-track their career in local government. We run a subsidised, rigorous national recruitment process to place high calibre graduates in councils across the country.
To find out how the NGDP could help your council to build capacity and develop future leaders of your workforce:
The 2023 deadline for councils to sign up to the programme is 31 March.
One-to-one coaching for councillors with a disability
We are offering disabled councillors free access to our popular one-to-one coaching sessions focused on personal leadership development. The sessions provide councillors with a safe space to examine, explore and reflect on their leadership style, strengthen resilience, and build confidence to be brilliant leaders of their communities. This opportunity is open to councillors from any political party, including independents. The coaching consists of a one-hour chemistry call followed by three one-hour coaching sessions held monthly via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. To find out more, or book your place, please email us at leadership@local.gov.uk
Brownfield Land Release Fund (BRLF2) Round 2 open for applications
On 18 January, our One Public Estate programme (OPE) – a joint initiative of the Local Government Association, the Cabinet Office and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) – launched Round 2 of the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2). The fund makes £180 million in capital grant funding available to English councils over a three-year period – to support the release of council-owned brownfield land for housing. The first round of the fund was launched in June 2022 and provided almost £35 million of funding to more than 40 councils to release land for at least 2,200 homes by 2026.
Applications to BLRF2 Round 2 will close at 11.59pm on 31 March.
Find out more about the Brownfield Land Release Fund and how to apply
Events
Digitalisation masterclasses for councillors
February dates (see below) | Online
In February, we will be hosting half-day masterclasses on the 12 local government digitalisation outcomes – with which we aim to demystify digitalisation and equip councillors with a framework to lead and engage with their council’s digitalisation journey. This is suitable for councillors new to digitalisation as well as those seeking to build on their existing knowledge.
Book your place now to attend a masterclass on one of the following dates:
-
Wednesday 1 February, 1.30pm–5.00pm
-
Thursday 2 February, 1.30pm–5.00pm
-
Tuesday 7 February, 9.30am–12.00pm
-
Wednesday 8 February, 9.30am–12.00pm
Now in its tenth year, our National Construction Conference is returning to two in-person events. Speakers from local government, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Cabinet Office and industry will look at how the combination of climate change, a cost-of-living crisis and global political instability continues to impact the UK’s construction industry and councils’ delivery of construction projects.
LGA National Construction Conference (London)
Thursday 2 February, 9.15am–3.30pm | In person at 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ
LGA National Construction Conference (Leeds)
Tuesday 7 March, 9.15am–3.30pm | In person at Horizon Leeds, 2 Brewery Wharf, Kendall Street, Leeds LS10 1JR
Let’s talk about… supporting inclusive leadership
Thursday 2 March, 10.00am–11.30am | Zoom
The last event in our series of roundtables for workforce equalities leads to come together and share successes and brainstorm challenges. We’ll talk about how our leaders can create working cultures that welcome diverse perspectives, encourage collaboration and ensure that all our employees can put their best thinking to work.
LGA Annual Culture, Tourism and Sport Conference 2023
Wednesday 15 March | Hybrid event – in person at 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ with some virtual sessions available
The conference will explore the contribution culture, tourism and sport make to the levelling up agenda and the role these vital services play in tackling inequalities and supporting our national recovery from COVID-19.
LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2023 (in-person)
Tuesday 4–Thursday 6 July | In person at Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth BH2 5BH
Join us at the biggest event in the local government calendar, as we head to Bournemouth to discuss the latest issues affecting local government. We are planning an engaging programme of sessions, workshops and fringe events, including in our vibrant Innovation Zone where we showcase the very best of local government. Be sure to put the date in your calendar and book your place.
Publications
Regional retrofit action planning webinar blog
Last month we hosted a webinar on regional retrofit action planning to provide delegates with the opportunity to hear how they might be able to increase the energy efficiency of a property through retrofit. Over 130 delegates heard from representatives at Southampton City Council, Sustainability West Midlands and Beattie Passivhaus.
LGA Decarbonising Transport Action Learning Sets – session four blog
We hosted the penultimate of our Decarbonising Transport Action Learning Sets sessions, in which attendees have brought numerous discussion points to the table – from councillor engagement on decarbonisation to school street initiatives to electric vehicle implementation at a parish level.
LG Inform and LG Inform Plus
For more information on using LG Inform (our free data benchmarking platform) or subscribing to LG Inform Plus (our paid data benchmarking subscription service), please email us at lginform@local.gov.uk or lginformplus@local.gov.uk
LG Inform LG Inform Plus review of 2022
For those not familiar with LG Inform or LG Inform Plus, at the end of each year, we like to ‘take stock’ on our achievements. Our 2022 review of the year provides a comprehensive overview of the improvements we made to LG Inform and LG Inform Plus (our data benchmarking services) in 2022. Please take a look to ensure you haven’t missed anything.
Subscribe to LG Inform Plus
Find out what information you can access by subscribing to LG Inform Plus and email us at lginformplus@local.gov.uk if you have any questions or would like to subscribe.
LG Inform – latest Winter Fuel Payments data
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published its Winter Fuel Payments data. You can now use LG Inform to access details of the number of Winter Fuel Payments recipients (by amount and age band) within a local authority area. The total number of Winter Fuel Payments recipients in England for 2021/22 was 9,630,823 – up from 9,532,849 in winter 2020/21. This equates to 17 per cent of the population in England receiving a Winter Fuel Payment. The area with the highest proportion of Winter Fuel Payment recipients was North Norfolk with 30.4 per cent.
LG Inform – updated reports on children and young people
We have added the latest Department for Education and Ofsted data to LG Inform and updated many of the LG Inform reports and charts relevant to children and young people, including:
first magazine
The LGA's membership magazine, 'first', is delivered free each month to just under 17,000 councillors and local authority chief executives. Access first online to browse all news articles, features and opinion pieces, including those from past issues.
Councillors who receive the magazine should also be receiving the first e-bulletin. If you find that first online and the first e-bulletin satisfy your need for information from the LGA, please consider helping us reduce our carbon footprint by opting out of receiving the magazine. Councillors and officers can sign up for the first e-bulletin using their council email addresses.
|
Yours faithfully,
Cllr Abi Brown
Chair LGA Improvement and Innovation Board
|
