Greetings!
King’s Speech
Last week saw the King’s Speech marking the official opening of Parliament and the first of this new Labour Government. A record 40 bills were announced, including two carried over from the previous parliamentary session. According to the Institute for Government, this is the highest number of bills to appear in a speech from the throne since 2005, and the second highest since 1997!
Devolution
One of the new bills, on English Devolution, seeks to create a more standardised framework for English devolution and to accelerate devolution to England. Specifically, “the bill will establish a legislative foundation upon which to widen and deepen devolution, with a weighting towards creating advanced mayoral settlements where there is the capacity and ambition to do so”. As a group, we have always called for a devolution of power and money to our councils as they are and not creating more unitary or mayoral authorities with powers centralised upwards to a singular mayoral figure! We see that connection to residents is our strength and big areas of jurisdiction make it harder for our members to connect.
Research shows that unitary and mayoral authorities favour the major parties and lose us the diversity of councillors that our Independent group members traditionally offer. Just last year, several new authorities came into operation from April 2023, for example, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset, resulting in over five hundred councillors being lost, including a long track record of independent council leadership. Instead we need genuine devolution to our councils, not an Emperor’s new clothes!
Deputy PM enters discussions at the LGA
I was pleased to meet with the new Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Angela Rayner MP and Minister for the Department, Jim McMahon MP, both with significant local government experience. They both attended the Councillors' Forum this week, answered questions fully and fairly and Jim McMahon attended members of the Executive Advisory Forum as well. Top of our calls in the local government White paper is a commitment to reset the relationship between central and local government to a more equal partnership, and this they gave. If we can find solutions, they will look at them fairly.
Afterwards, I also raised with Angela, Labour’s commitment to make UK a ‘clean energy superpower’, including tripling the less efficient solar industry by 2030. How can this be done without covering miles of good food-growing farmland? Under a 40 - 60 year contract, with foreign companies, this drains funds out of the UK, based on soon-outdated solar panels and leaving little opportunity for the planned British energy company and no opportunity to revert to food, when needed. Whilst there are some good opportunities within this commitment, there also needs to be a priority of reducing energy demand with insulation etc. Currently, Labour see planning as a barrier, whereas planning should be viewed as a positive buffer to unaccountable and inappropriate development in the wrong places!
The LGA have helpfully provided an on-the-day briefing and I thank all our hardworking staff for putting this together.
Meeting our new LGA Chair, Councillor Louise Gittins
It was a pleasure to also meet Councillor Louise Gittins who takes over from Councillor Shaun Davies, as the new chair of the LGA. During our discussions, we felt that if we can focus on our own White Paper proposals to fit in line with the ‘five missions’ of this new Government, then we have a better chance of succeeding in our demands.
Farewell to Sarah Pickup OBE, senior officer at the LGA
I was sad to say farewell to Sarah Pickup as she enjoys a well-earned retirement after 40 years of service in local government. Sarah has been at the LGA for nine years and her wisdom and expertise, especially in Health and Adult Social Care, will certainly be missed. Sarah was also acting Chief Executive after Mark Lloyd’s departure and was a true professional in steering the organisation. On behalf of the LGA Independent Group, I would like to wish her and her family well as she enjoys life after the LGA!
LGA new councillors welcome event
The LGA hosted its national welcome event for newly elected councillors this week, postponed to avoid the snap General Election. It was wonderful to speak to so many keen councillors about the honour of being elected and serving your community. Afterwards, we held our own political breakout session where 14 Green and Independents worked together, networked and learned more about the benefits of LGA and Group membership.
The Councillors Hub provides a useful range of information, including upcoming training and development events for everyone. The LGA also run a series of ‘leadership essentials’ courses covering a range of policy areas and portfolios. Take a look at what’s on offer and if you have time, sign up for a training course! The Independent Group has online “think tanks” for each subject which enable you to help shape policy ready to forward at the Boards. Once adopted cross party, we have the full weight of the LGA working on your behalf. Please join in!
Opposition Leaders and Deputy Leaders Meeting
This week also saw our first ever Opposition Leaders and Deputy Leaders meeting! We welcomed 37 councillors who are in opposition on their council and the forum provided a chance to hear more about how to be more effective in opposition and start the journey towards becoming the Executive at the next local elections. Among many issues raised by members, two working groups are due to be launched; one focussed on affordable housing and the other on devolution. For Opposition Leaders and Deputies, the LGA are running two-day courses in October and in January at Warwick Conferences to explore the nature of effective opposition and gain insight into personal leadership and influencing styles. For further information, please contact Grace Collins.
Next Generation APPLICATIONS OPEN 2024/25 cohort
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, 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 is a 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 Annual Conference rescheduled – 22-24 October, Harrogate
We are delighted to have been able to secure a date for our LGA Annual Conference to be held this October as we know it is an event which is hugely valued by our members. It will provide a perfect opportunity for the local government family to come together after the General Election and discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
If you can make these dates, then your booking will be transferred and there's nothing for you to do. However, if you would like to cancel you can do so via the ‘My booking' tab and clicking ‘Amend my booking’ on the Annual Conference event website.
I really hope to see lots of you at the LGA Annual Conference. It is such a great opportunity for us to network, learn and share, and it’s fantastic that we are able to go ahead this year.
Thanks…
Thanks to our Independent Group Executive, who met online this week, to discuss how the new Government may affect us, our peer work with councils and the constitution. Thank you for your continued wise counsel and support that serves our group so well. Thanks also to our board leads and peer network who continue to provide such solid and effective support for the group, it is much appreciated.
And finally…
To all our colleagues, if you are taking some time to recharge your batteries over the summer, may I wish you a pleasant break to enjoy whatever you do!
Warmest regards,
Boosting Middle Leaders
Applications are now open for Boosting Middle Leaders, a leadership programme which brings together mid to senior level councillors and officers to build relationships, share perspectives, and develop practices to help them to deliver the best outcomes for their communities. Please encourage your talented officers and councillor colleagues to apply. For more information, please contact the leadership team.
Arts Council England and LGA Councillor Sounding Board
The joint Arts Council England and LGA Councillor Sounding Board for library portfolio holders is taking expressions of interest from councillors with relevant portfolios. The sounding board tests library policy with a nationally representative group of councillors. Please email Isobel Parkes to register your interest or request further information.
Planning Leadership Essentials: Chairs of planning committee
Due to unprecedented demand for places on our initial Leadership Essentials session for Planning Committee chairs and vice chairs, we are running a second session on 16 to 17 January. This two-day residential session is a deep-dive into what makes a good chair, what are the latest matters affecting planning committees and how to make defendable & robust decisions. Places are limited, so to book your place, email Grace Collins.
Planning Leadership Essentials: Unveiling the future of planning!
We are also running two x two-day events for council leaders, portfolio holders, planning leads and chairs of planning committees:
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Programme 1: Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December 2024
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Programme 2: Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March 2025
From these two-day residential session you can expect to get:
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Insider knowledge: Understand what the latest government changes mean for planning and give local leaders in Planning early insights into new policies and reforms.
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Actionable strategies: Discover what these changes mean for your council's plan-making and decision-making.
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Placemaking mastery: Learn how to become a champion of placemaking and transform your community.
To book your place, email Grace Collins.
Applications now open for the Disabled Councillors Leadership Programme
The Disabled Councillors Leadership Programme has been shaped in co-production with disabled people and councillors, ensuring it responds to the specific needs of disabled leaders. Now in its third year, the LGA are excited to offer disabled councillors the opportunity to join Cohort 3. Councillors can apply by completing a short online form.
The programme is a unique opportunity to meet other disabled councillors from across the country from all political parties, learn from each other and develop as a cohort of peers and critical friends. Delegates will learn about their strengths as a leader, develop their leadership style, and use disability as an asset to leadership. Other topics include developing confidence, refining communication skills, and working across political boundaries to achieve change.
Delegates will attend a mix of residential, in-person and online workshops:
- Workshop 1: 23 & 24 November 2024, Manchester (residential)
- Workshop 2: 11 January 2025, online (half-day)
- Workshop 3: 1 February 2025, online (half-day)
- Workshop 4: 15 March 2025, Birmingham (residential)
The programme is free to attend, though delegates’ local authorities must cover travel costs. To find out more, please visit the LGA’s website or email the Leadership Team.
Dates for the Diary
Thursday 5 September 2024 | Manchester
This Local Government Association event is open to new members from across the North-West who have been elected (for the first time) in May 2024. The event will support newly elected members in exploring their roles. It will provide an opportunity to hear from cross-party guest speakers about their experiences and insights, as well as support this cohort of newly elected members from across the region to develop their networks.
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.
Thursday 26 September 2024, 10.00am - 11.30am
Focussing on key roles and responsibilities of the audit committee, this webinar will refresh and provide clarity on the key tasks of the audit committee and in particular the Chair role within this.
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