General Election
A week since the General Election was called and we have already heard lots of promises made by the parties on bringing back National Service, introducing votes for 16 year olds, scrapping ‘rip off’ university degrees, cutting waiting lists as well as pledges not to raise VAT. But both Labour and Conservative have set the same target to reduce debt in relation to national income or GDP, by a fifth. Money is very tight. If these pledges are funded, what happens to our local services?
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said ‘the UK’s parlous fiscal position will hang over the campaign like a dark cloud’. So far, we have heard nothing yet for local government but the IFS estimates “that unprotected budgets face cuts of between 1.9 per cent and 3.5 per cent per year”. As Independent, Green, Plaid Cymru and smaller party Parliamentary Candidates, we can stand up for local people, against austerity, promote better funding for our local services and seek to reset the central-local government relationship with our local government white paper. I hope this paper will give you and supporters plenty of evidence and back-up to shine with confidence and clarity in supporting the things that matter to our residents.
LGA Local Government White Paper
This is a fantastic piece of work which has taken months of research, consultation and preparation and I would like to thank everyone who contributed, our members and the LGA officers for summarising into the four priorities we need to make sure local government can deliver:
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sustainable funding,
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place-making, powers and partnership,
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a new focus on prevention as well as
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reforms to reduce burdens and promote innovation.
Standing in the General Election?
Thank you for responding to our candidate call last week. If you are thinking of standing in the forthcoming General Election, please let the Group Office know so we can update our database!
Latest on postponed LGA Annual Conference
By now you will have seen online and from my last bulletin, that the LGA Annual Conference has been postponed due to the General Election. The Events Team and the LGA Board are working towards booking a new date in the autumn. All those who have booked to attend the Conference will be contacted with updates. You do not need to cancel your booking at this stage.
East of England Independent and Green Regional Conference
Last weekend, Councillor Jo Beavis and I led a fantastic regional conference in the East of England for Independents and Greens, providing an opportunity to network, hear the latest from the LGA as well as forthcoming plans for increasing representation in the area. It was great to catchup with friends and colleagues, including Cllr Andrew Cooper, Councillor Dave Blackwell, Leader of wholly Independent Castlepoint Borough Council as well as the Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Wolverhampton West Councillor Celia Hibbert. It was simply great to hear such fantastic work being delivered by our councillors in the eastern region, I am proud of you all!
Improvement and assurance framework for local government
This week, the LGA published its new improvement and assurance framework for local government to support councils in checking what they are doing is lawful and in line with professional standards and appropriate performance targets. There has not previously been a document or framework which sets out, in one place, the various required components of local government assurance, how they all fit together, how to use them effectively and what improvement support is available to help. Please help promote it and encourage others.
LGA Councillors Hub and national welcome event
There is also our dedicated LGA Councillor Hub which has a wealth of information, advice and support resources as well as upcoming events aimed at new arrivals. As a result of the General Election, the new online national councillors welcome event is being postponed and a new date will be sent to all new councillors next week. At the welcome event we cover the role of the LGA, our sector support offer and then our Independent Group has a meeting to introduce our new councillros to the Group and our support. If you are a new councillor, please do come, you will be made most welcome and in good company!
Meeting with Joanna Killian, LGA Chef Executive
I am meeting with our new chief executive, Joanna Killian again next week. If there are any specific issues you would like me to raise with her during my meeting, please get in touch!
The LGA does excellent leadership courses, well worth attending. Are you an opposition leader or deputy, a young councillor under 41, or a BAME or LGBTQ+ Councillor? Our ‘Focus on Leadership’ series are designed to support councillors to excel in their existing roles and to provide them with a bridge to senior leadership positions.
You can also apply for a free place on the Independent Group Next Generation course, held annually over three weekends and amazingly effective.
There is something for everyone! Please take a look and book a course now or email Grace Collins for further information.
Have a great weekend and may I wish all students taking exams around this time the best of luck!
Pre-election period
Following the announcement that the General Election will be held on Thursday 4 July, the pre-election period for local authorities will start from the publication of a notice of election. The LGA pre-election guidance should be read in conjunction with advice from the relevant Returning Officer.
Funding to help VCSE organisations improve energy efficiency reminder
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport launched a £25.5 million funding package to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England improve their energy efficiency. Eligible organisations are encouraged to apply for an independent energy assessment and then capital grants to install energy efficiency measures. Councils are encouraged to share this scheme with VCSE organisations in their area. The energy assessment part of the scheme is open until 20 June and the application period for capital funding is open until 14 August. Organisations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Placements for children in care resource
Where a child is in the care of the council, it is vital they feel safe and can thrive where they live. To support councils and councillors with this we've published a guide exploring the key legislation, policies and good practice for providing quality placements for children in care.
LGA youth services survey
We are committed to understanding the situation regarding the provision of youth services in local areas and have launched a survey looking to understand the council experience of delivering or overseeing youth services. All single tier and county councils have been sent their own unique link to the survey. If your council has not received its unique link, please contact Roopal Shah to receive the link. The survey response deadline is Tuesday 11 June.
Early careers resources – HR leads focus group
We are creating a set of resources for those early in their LG careers. We invite HR leads and early careers employer leads to join a working group to review and provide feedback. If you wish to be involved, contact Emily Bennett. HR focus group 20 June 1-2pm and early careers focus forum on 4 June from 3-4pm.
New survey seeking views on Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) membership
A project aimed at understanding LGPS membership of local government staff; a brief survey has been issued to member councils. The survey asks what data is held, experience of staff opting out and the value placed on offering a high-quality defined-benefit scheme like the LGPS in recruitment and retention of staff within local authorities. The survey closes 9 June 2024. Please direct any questions to sabsecretariat.
Creating productive and agile organisational structures webinar
LGA workforce is holding a ‘creating productive and agile organisational structures’ online seminar, for attendees to hear from councils who have had support from the LGA in creating structures that can respond to the challenges the sector faces. The webinar will be held on Wednesday 17 July, 12.05-1.30pm. To register for the event please email David Drewry.
Better hiring recruitment resources: call to share practice
A reminder that we have recently updated the resources available focused on recruitment, including the Better Hiring Toolkit for local authorities. We are keen to hear from the sector on the innovative work they are doing to promote local government and enhance recruitment processes. Contact David Drewry to share what you are doing.
Apprenticeship Lead Officer Network – KHUB
The LGA has been running an active Apprenticeship lead officer network as part of our Apprenticeship Support Programme for over five years. The network uses the public sector KHUB platform. There are a variety of tools, videos, and other resources available. If you would like to join email the Workforce Team.
Domestic Homicide Review public consultation
The Home Office have launched a public consultation seeking views on an updated version of the DHR statutory guidance. The consultation offers an opportunity to feedback on how the methodology and structure of DHRs can be improved. The consultation will be open until 1 July 2024
XL Bully ban
In March the LGA wrote to council chief finance officers on behalf of DEFRA about new burdens funding relating to the XL Bully Ban for 2023-24. If your council has not claimed the money, it may be possible to do so by contacting the Responsible Dog Ownership Team.
Pavement licensing consultation
The Home Office has launched a consultation on the sale of alcohol by licensed premises for consumption in an adjacent licensed pavement area. The options that it is consulting on are:
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option one: make current arrangements - as set out in the Business and Planning Act 2020 - permanent
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option two: amend the Licensing Act to extend the definition of on-sales so that it includes consumption in a licenced pavement area
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option three: amend the Licensing Act to permit on-sales only premises licence holders the right to make off-sales to any area for which there is a pavement licence.
Dates for the Diary
Monday 3 June 2024, 2.00pm - 3.00pm
Join us to hear about the new Ending abuse in public life council self-assessment toolkit, a new resource aimed at helping councils improve their support for councillors experiencing abuse through self-reflection.
Tuesday 4 June 2024, 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Part of the role of a council leader is to decide what to focus on and act strategically. This interactive workshop will give you tools and techniques for: listening for what’s being said, questioning and listening, letting people know you’ve heard them as well as finding your way through information to help you move forward.
Tuesday 11 June 2024, 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Free school meals (FSM) tackle child food insecurity and unlock crucial Pupil Premium funds for schools. With an estimated 14% of eligible pupils not claiming FSM, councils are trialling 'auto-enrolment' to proactively register eligible children. This virtual event explores approaches to 'auto-enrolment', their impact, and resources available for councils interested in introducing similar approaches.
Wednesday 12 June 2024, 2.00pm - 3.40pm
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 personal safety. Built around the role of the elected member, the session is full of practical advice and guidance.
Wednesday 12 June 2024, 11.00am - 12.00pm
By examining public transport, active travel, decarbonisation, and highway management and challenges each face under the current distribution of powers, the project explores how a reformed balance of transport powers could benefit communities, economies, and taxpayers. Join us to discuss the report and help inform how its findings are taken forward.
Thursday 20 June 2024, 10.00am - 11.45am
The session will focus on how councils can set a clear direction of activity by creating a set of transformation principles and a strategy. Delegates will hear from the sector on how a defined direction for their transformation work empowers officers and councillors across their authorities to improve the lives of the community they serve. Following the ‘spotlight on’ presentation, delegates will participate in a roundtable discussion.
Thursday 20 June 2024, 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.
Leadership Essentials: Digitalisation (Training for councillors) (in-person event)
Saturday 22 June – Sunday 23 June 2024
The LGA's Leadership Essentials programme on digitalisation is designed to empower councillors with the knowledge and skills needed to foster a culture of digital innovation for the benefit of all residents. Elected members play a pivotal role in championing digital transformation initiatives whilst ensuring robust measures are in place to mitigate risks. For further details on the programme please visit our webpage and email Grace Collins to register a place.
Online induction event for new lead members for adult social care
This free all day induction session is aimed at new portfolio holders with responsibility for Adult Social Care. Held via Teams, it will offer an introduction to current policy issues in care and health, including assurance, personalisation and integration. To make a booking or for more information, please contact Katerina Charalambous.
LGA and Sport England Leadership Essentials Sports and Physical Activity for new and developing portfolio holders
Thursday 27 June (10am) – Friday 28 June (4pm) - Warwick Conferences
An important introduction to physical activity and sport for new and developing portfolio holders with responsibility for sport and physical activity and councillors with a strategic interest in physical activity – this includes shadow and board roles, and wider portfolios.
This programme introduces councillors to dynamic approaches to systems leadership, supporting their development as place leaders, to tackle health and social inequalities and barriers to physical activity in their place. The programme supports co-design with local communities and the development of good practice and networks across the council, and with external partners, for example, health and social care, and wider stakeholders. This residential programme is free to attend and includes meals and an overnight stay on 27 June. To book on to this event, please email Grace Collins.
Thursday 11 July 2024, 1.00pm - 3.00pm
When making decisions, it is important to do against a basis of good evidence. This webinar aims to show you how to use the numbers to tell an effective story, so that everyone can understand what you want to achieve.
Thursday 19 September 2024, 2.00pm - 3.30pm
This virtual event which is funded by Government will provide an overview of local government finance without any numbers - focusing instead on roles and responsibilities, key terminologies and processes. It will give you an understanding of both what you need to be aware of in your role and what you need to understand about your authority’s role and is aimed at newly elected members or those just looking for a refresh.
Tuesday 15 October 2024, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
This virtual event which is funded by Government will provide an overview of local government finance without any numbers - focusing instead on roles and responsibilities, key terminologies and processes. It will give you an understanding of both what you need to be aware of in your role and what you need to understand about your authority’s role and is aimed at newly elected members or those just looking for a refresh.
Leadership Essentials: Adult Social Care
Thursday, 24 October – Friday, 25 October 2024, Warwick
Part of the wider offer on political leadership from the LGA, this free residential event aims to support new Adult Social Care Lead Members with key challenges in a rapidly changing and high profile policy care and health landscape. The two days are delivered by LGA staff supported by high profile speakers and provide lots of opportunities sharing practice and networking. The cost of attending this programme is fully subsidised and includes accommodation and meals. For more information and to make a booking, please contact Grace Collins.
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