Greetings!
Congratulations
What a fantastic set of results for Greens and Independents!
The Greens won four parliamentary seats which include Carla Denyer as the new MP for Bristol Central and Co-leader Adrian Ramsay overturning a 22,000 Conservative majority to win Waveney Valley. In addition, Sian Berry takes over from Caroline Lucas in Brighton Pavilion and in North Herefordshire Ellie Chowns defeated the Conservatives who had previously held the seat with a 25,000 majority. What an achievement!
Equally impressive, were the gains made by Independents! I warmly welcome six Independent MP’s, Shockat Adam (Leicester South), Alex Easton (North Down), Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr), Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North), Adnan Hussain (Blackburn) and Iqbal Mohamed (Dewsbury and Batley). They campaigned on the war in Gaza, but also regeneration, cost of living, a failing NHS and tackling crime. I look forward to meeting our new Independent Members of Parliament and wish them the best of luck in representing an Independent voice in the new parliament.
In Wales, Plaid Cymru gained a seat and returned four Members of Parliament, whom I met and heard speak at their recent conference. Anglesey Council Leader, Llinos Medi, dramatically won Ynys Mon, the excellent Ben Lake (Ceredigion Preseli) and Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) were returned and Carmarthenshire Cllr Ann Davies (Caerfyrddin), overseeing rural affairs and planning policy won the fourth seat. Party Leader Rhum ap Llorwerth, didn’t stand and gave strong support. As you know, the LGA Independent Group also represents Plaid Cymru and Independents in Wales and having four Plaid Cymru members of parliament will maintain and strengthen our good links with Wales!
Reform UK is also included in the LGA Independent Group and they also won four seats which include: Lee Anderson (Ashfield), Rupert Lowe (Great Yarmouth), Nigel Farage (Clacton) and Richard Tice (Boston and Skegness). Congratulations to all four on winning their seats and look forward to working with them in future.
It’s great news that our Independent Group now has a big opportunity to work with our eighteen MPs to influence the committee work and the voices that make up Parliament on issues affected by Local Government, currently outlined in our White Paper. It has been a hard fought campaign with a total of 4,515 candidates nominated, more than in any previous general election. There were 520 Independent candidates standing, some working together, such as the Independent Network. The Greens stood 574 candidates and Plaid Cymru stood 32 candidates.
Thank you, each and every one of you for standing for what you believe in and laying an important foundation for the next elections in May 2025, which will be very significant for our group. Having stood for Parliament previously, I know how tough it can be, but democracy is too important to leave to the big old parties. Our candidates and helpers have brought a fresh approach, an important voice, focussed on what their residents really care about. Thank you.
What does the Labour Majority mean to us?
After 14 years of Conservative rule, Labour has the majority, for the first time since 2010 and Conservative austerity. Their 28 page policy paper is called “Power and Partnership – Labour’s plan to power up Britain”. They promise a ‘renewed partnership between Westminster, local government and the private sector’
The measures for local government include:
- Devolution: “Turbocharging” metro mayors
- “Preparing” every council for devolution
- Local Growth plans
- Long-term financial settlements
- Central government funding pots “review”
- Reforming local audit
- Replacing business rates
- “Turbocharging” growth
- A fiscal lock
- Place-based economic development
- Community Right to Buy
- Worker rights reform
- Liberalising planning
- 5 million ‘high quality’ homes
- Recruiting more planning officers
On Net-zero, Labour pledge a warm homes plan, green prosperity plan and a new publicly-owned energy company named ‘Great British Energy’ to help deliver energy security everywhere in the country.
Whilst there are some ideas we welcome, for example, on long-term financial settlements and a review into central government funding pots, others such as “liberalising” planning, ‘turbocharging’ metro mayors and ‘preparing’ every council for “devolution” will need some serious work.
Your voice is needed. Please choose your subject and sign up to discussions on our Independent Group Councillor hub by contacting the Group Office.
A new chair for the LGA
With the election of Councillor Shaun Davies as the new MP for Telford, the LGA announced this morning that Councillor Louise Gittins has been confirmed as the new Chair of the LGA. Louise is currently the Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and recently has been the Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People’s Board. I look forward to working with Louise over the coming months in ensuring our local government white paper is implemented under the new Government. I would also thank Councillor Shaun Davies for leading and representing the LGA and wish him the best going forward as an MP.
Missing issues in the campaign
A recent BBC article highlighted some of the key issues important to us in local government which barely got a mention for example, litter and fly-tipping and shoplifting. Figures suggest fly-tipping is now higher than at pre-pandemic levels with Labour promising to make fly-tippers clean up their own mess. In addition, shoplifting continues to blight many of our local communities and town centres, with Labour again promising to introduce a specific offence of assaults on shop workers.
Applications for People and Places Board
The LGA Independent Group are now opening applications for a member place on the People and Places Board. As a result of our members keeping their places in 2000 because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and retaining their seats in the local elections, there is not a turn over of places this year. However, you are welcome to apply for either this board place or to be a substitute on a Board if you are interested in a future place. As there is only one position available we are keeping the response time short. Please apply via the application form online by 5pm Monday 15 July. Do get in touch with the Group Office with any question.
Independent Group AGM and Group Annual Report
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual AGM on Tuesday 2 July. It was great to see so many of you. We covered off the important issues, not least launching this year’s Independent Group Annual Report. Thank you to all the lead members who contributed – it is a testament to how much we have achieved over the last year. I’m sure we will rise again to the challenges this year.
LGA National new councillors welcome event
A new date has now been confirmed for new councillors, Tuesday 16 July from 5pm to 7pm online. If you are a new councillor, please attend this information session which will introduce you to the LGA and the ongoing support it can give you. The Independent Group will be holding its own session immediately afterwards for new Independent, Green and Plaid Cymru Councillors to meet and network online.
Independent Group Next Generation programme 2024-25 launched!
We are very excited to announce that our Next Generation Programme is now open for expressions of interest. This flagship programme offers ambitious and talented councillors a bespoke and unparalleled political development opportunity. Each year we support a select group of councillors, chosen through a competitive application process, with the cost of the course and accommodation covered by the LGA. Those who have completed the LGA Independent Group Next Generation Programme leave with a new network of aspiring councillor colleagues and with greater confidence, self-belief and a strategy about how to further their influence, role and community leadership. Many have gone on to successfully hold leadership positions, including council leaders, deputy leaders, cabinet roles, opposition leaders and LGA Board places.
The programme is not routinely available to our colleagues in Wales as the Welsh LGA receives specific funding for member development, but the LGA Independent Group Office will sponsor one place on this course from Wales a year, so please do get in touch.
This residential course that takes place over three Friday/Saturdays during the year at Warwick University. Delegates are expected to attend all the events in person and to commit to undertaking the additional reading and preparation work. The dates for this year are 11/12 October 2024, 29/30 November 2024 and 29 February/1 March 2025
LGA Independent Group Annual Conference – 10-11 January 2025
Hold the date in your diaries for the LGA Independent Group Annual Conference! Bookings will open shortly – we have moved the conference to the start of next year to avoid the cluster of conferences now taking place in the Autumn, including the LGA Annual Conference.
Opposition Leaders new fortnightly networking meetings
As our Group has grown, we are keen to ensure we are continuing to grow our support offer to our members. We will now be starting a fortnightly meeting for Opposition Leaders, starting Wednesday 17th July. Our Group Office will be reaching out, but do also get in touch if you would like to attend these meetings. Thank you to our excellent Council Leaders whose fortnightly meetings are important opportunities to be updated in confidence, and share priorities for combined action. These continue on alternate Mondays at 1pm.
And finally…
Have a good weekend doing something different and I look forward to meeting you all at our national welcome event! Congratulations on all you are doing!
Warmest regards,
Launch of Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme
We are excited to launch the new name for the LGA’s graduate programme: Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme (formerly known as the National Graduate Development Programme or NGDP). The rebrand is the first of its kind since it began more than 20 years ago and will help future-proof the scheme, so that it can continue to attract the best and brightest into the local government workforce. Councils can sign up for Cohort 27 on our website or by emailing the Impact Team
Planning Advisory Service
We have a new section of our website - calling it PAS Solutions which sets out what we do and why we do it. Sometimes it helps to have a trusted and impartial body come and train your planning committee. More importantly, if you are newly in charge of a planning department, we can help you hammer out your priorities for the next year or two with a peer challenge. If you want to understand how it works have a look at PAS Solutions and see if you'd benefit from our help.
Bespoke civility in public life workshops
The LGA is offering a series of fully funded individual-tailored workshops for councillors on issues relating to handling abuse and intimidation by the public.
Please contact Jo Kibble to register your interest in holding one of these workshops.
Transformation action learning sets 2024/25
Our transformation action learning sets provide a unique development opportunity for councillors and officers to explore possible solutions to overcome obstacles in their transformation programmes through action learning based principles. Please express your interest in the series you will be available to participate in via this registration form.
Licensing Leadership Essentials
Wednesday 16 October - Thursday 17 October 2024, 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.
Dates for the Diary
Personal safety for newly-elected councillors (virtual event)
Wednesday 10 July, 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.
‘Right care, right person’ in practice: one year on (virtual event)
Thursday 11 July 2024, 10.30am - 12.00pm
This virtual session will look at how the policy of ‘Right care, right person’ is being implemented, the emerging issues and how joint working across agencies can work effectively to embed the approach. It will explore how best to ensure that people who require care and support are able to access this in an appropriate setting and from the right professional. The session will include speakers from local authorities, the mental health voluntary sector and the police.
Community engagement and consultation in transformation (virtual event)
Tuesday 16 July 2024, 10.00am - 11.45am
The roundtable will highlight how local government can utilise its community based connections to transform the outlook and vision of a local place. We will explore the importance of how councils can engineer service design that incorporates key stakeholders by embracing collaboration and consultation techniques and tools. Following the ‘spotlight on’ presentations, delegates will participate in a roundtable discussion.
|
