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Greetings from the Group Office!
We have just arrived back from the LGA Conference in Bournemouth and it was great to see so many Independent and Green Councillors in attendance!
Our AGM took place and the results of the recent Group Elections were announced as follows:
Leader:
- Councillor Julian German – 122 votes
- Councillor James Giles – 148 votes
- Councillor Marianne Overton – 414 votes (Elected)
- Councillor Clive Woodbridge – 48
Deputy Leader:
- Councillor Hannah Dalton – 230 votes
- Councillor Caroline Jackson – 513 votes (Elected)
Treasurer:
- Councillor Craig Browne – 94 votes
- Councillor Andrew Cooper – 421 votes (Elected)
- Councillor Jason Zadrozny – 219 votes
Our congratulations go to Councillors Marianne Overton, Caroline Jackson and Andrew Cooper. We look forward to working with them over the coming year. Our thanks go to Councillors Julian German, James Giles, Clive Woodbridge, Hannah Dalton, Craig Browne and Jason Zadrozny for standing and contributing to the debate and democracy in action!
The Group would also like to pay tribute to Councillor Hannah Dalton for serving our Group loyally as Deputy Group Leader. Hannah has been a magnificent advocate for the Independent Group at the LGA and we thank her for all her support!
This year’s Conference was another tremendous success for Independents and it was the first time many of our newly elected councillors got to attend Conference and meet with other Independent and Green members. We hosted some popular sessions including our own plenary session in the main hall, where we heard from new Independent and Green Council Leaders and their key asks and messages ahead of the General Election. In addition, we also hosted our own political sessions on ‘Getting to Grips with the Local Plan’ as well as ‘Asylum and Resettlement: A practical approach without the party politics’. A big thanks to all our members who attended these sessions, asked questions and spoke on the issues!
Next week the Group Office hands the bulletin over to Cllr Marianne Overton as our re-elected Group Leader. Please do not forget to sign our e-card below for outgoing National Lead Peer, Mike Haines, who has done so much for our Group, our peers and also our new members in guiding and advising them over so many years.
Have a great weekend!
If you are interested in influencing national policy development, including adult social care, housing, planning, children’s services, leisure, etc, please consider applying to be a member on one of the LGA’s Policy Boards or an ‘outside body’. Applications are now open. Allowances are given to members taking up a substantive role. Appointments are made for a period of 12 months and reviewed annually. Those appointed will hold their positions from 1 September to 31 August each year. The deadline for submission of applications is Monday 14 July 2023 at 5.00pm.
We are particularly interested in encouraging any of our members with auditing skills to apply to the LGA’s Audit Committee – this is an important role for the LGA, auditing the LGA’s accounts and leading on our standards and complaints work. Please do consider applying.
Farewell e-card for former Councillor Mike Haines!
As many of you know, Mike Haines stood down as a local councillor after 35 years in local government. As well as actively contributing to the work of the LGA for the past 20 years, Mike loyally served the LGA Independent Group as our National Lead Peer for nine years, acting as a source of advice, guidance and inspiration to many newly elected Councillors throughout the years. In thanking him for all he has done for our Group and the Independent cause, we would like to ask all our members to sign our e-card.
News from the LGA
Alongside the National Graduate Develop Programme (NGDP), the LGA has launched its latest Graduate Programme for those interested in taking their first steps towards a planning career within local government. The programme starts in September and graduates from any degree background can apply. Its aim is to recruit up to 30 individuals who will be placed with councils by March 2024. If successful, graduates will work for the council’s planning team alongside studying for an RTPI-accredited Masters programme. The qualification will be fully funded and there is no cost to councils for the marketing and recruitment of their talent pool. For more information or to submit an ‘expression of interest’ for the programme, please email Anna Buttenshaw with your council name, contact details and the number of placements requested.
LGA Cyber 360 Programme
Having now supported 23 councils, we are calling for councils to take part in a funded exercise which provides an opportunity to explore cyber security through a different lens in August and September 2023. Over two or three days, a multi-disciplinary team of peers and technical experts will provide in-depth, bespoke support to your council, helping you to build your capabilities, and develop a whole-council approach to cyber-security.
There are some upcoming slots to participate in these exercises:
- W/C 14 August 2023
- WC 4 September 2023
- W/C 18 September 2023
Over the next few months we aim to support 20 more councils with a Cyber 360.
For more information and to book a short introductory meeting with the team, please contact CyberandDigital@local.gov.uk.
Dates for the Diary!
Wednesday 12 July 2023, 2.00pm - 3.30pm
As part of the LGA’s support for councillor safety, we are offering this session tailored specifically for newly or recently elected councillors to build confidence around handling online abuse and intimidation, a growing problem faced by many councillors.
Wednesday 12 July 2023, 10.00am - 11.00am
The Blueprint coalition is hosting a cross-party, cross-sector online discussion on the critical role of local government in delivering the UK’s journey to next zero. Join MPs, local government professionals, and leading thinkers from civil society to discuss this critical role, and the national policies that could help accelerate local climate action. Speakers will look ahead to next year’s national elections and beyond, and offer thoughts on the next phase of collaboration between national and local government and how we can all work together to accelerate the UK’s journey to net zero.
The Commission on COVID-19, Ableism and Racism Report Launch 13 July at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, London
The Commission on COVID-19, Ableism and Racism was launched by the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) with funding from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust to explore how the worst impacts of COVID-19 have fallen on disabled people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups.
Relevant portfolio holders are invited to attend the launch of the Commission’s report on 13 July 2023, starting with lunch at midday and a plenary from 12.30 – 14.30 where the Commissioners will launch the report and then hear reflections and responses. Please register your attendance here.
The venue is fully accessible. Speech-to-text and British Sign Language interpretation will be available throughout the event. Should you have any additional accessibility requirements, please contact membership@vodg.org.uk
Friday 14 July 2023, 10.00am -11.30am
The LGA is holding a virtual training session for newly elected councillors who are members of licensing (sub)committees. It will give new members an idea of what to expect and tips to help them work effectively. The session will focus on some key areas of licensing: alcohol and entertainment, taxi and private hire vehicle, and gambling. You can book your place on the LGA’s website.
Wednesday 19 July 2023, 11.00am – 12.00pm
Health is now a growing focus for many local devolution deals. Despite this there remains a degree of uncertainty about how best to bring health into local discussions, including the role for Integrated Care Systems and the health-related powers that might unlock local prosperity and narrow inequalities. Join our webinar, organised by the LGA in partnership with the NISE network, to hear how local leaders are connecting this agenda for their shared populations.
Thursday 21 September 2023, 10.30am – 12.00pm
The LGA is launching our report into empty properties, providing an overview of good practice as well as exploring the key ingredients for how to make the best use of housing in your local area. Join us to find out more about the recommendations.
Licensing Leadership Essentials
Wednesday 1 - Thursday 2 November, Warwick University
A two-day interactive course aimed at chairs and vice chairs of licensing committees, focusing on how good committees are run. The course and accommodation costs £200. For more details, please contact: grace.collins@local.gov.uk
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) councillors – weekender events
If you're a councillor, building your own 'brand identity' has never been more vital.
This 24-hour masterclass and facilitated conversation will give you opportunities to:
- explore what it means to be a minority elected representative and the difference your cultural identity can make in serving all communities (and racialised communities in particular)
- hear from experienced and notable BAME political leaders about how they developed political brand identities to address key challenges
- reflect on your personal leadership purpose and style in a discussion about politics and power and the importance of shaping and maintaining your identity in political relationships
- gain valuable insights about your own brand identity to achieve maximum results in shaping the political landscape.
This event will start at 12.00pm on Saturday and finish with lunch at 1.15pm on Sunday.
To register, please email Grace Collins.
LGBTQ+ councillors – weekender events
LGBTQ+ councillors are invited to join us at our annual two-day, cross-party weekender event – an excellent opportunity to network and share experiences:
Dates: 3 – 4 February 2024
Venue: Warwick Conferences, Lakeside Village, Scarman Road, CV4 7SH
Fee: The cost for attending one of these two-day residential events is £150 which includes accommodation, meals and all learning materials. Attendees may wish to join us for dinner and stay overnight at the venue on Friday 2 February 2024 (the night before the event) for an additional £50.
To register, please email Grace Collins.
Pride Month: LGBTQ+ councillors – weekender events
LGBTQ+ councillors are invited to join us at our annual two-day, cross-party weekender event – an excellent opportunity to network and share experiences:
Dates: 3 – 4 February 2024
Venue: Warwick Conferences, Lakeside Village, Scarman Road, CV4 7SH
Fee: The cost for attending one of these two-day residential events is £150 which includes accommodation, meals and all learning materials. Attendees may wish to join us for dinner and stay overnight at the venue on Friday 2 February 2024 (the night before the event) for an additional £50.
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