Greetings!
Safer and Stronger Communities
The recent tragedy which resulted in the death of three children at a dance class in Southport has shocked the nation and I send my condolences to the families and friends of all those affected. It is most important in times of sorrow we come together as one, united community. We have also witnessed distressing scenes in other areas including Central London, Hartlepool, Manchester, Aldershot and Southend-on-Sea. Our local councillors are well placed to assist in drawing the community together.
At the LGA, our ‘Safer and Stronger Communities Board’ supports councils to prevent violent extremism, improve community safety and build community cohesion. Thank you to our members working on that board; Councillors Clive Woodbridge (Board Deputy), Karen Lucioni (Board Member) and their substitutes, Councillors Chidi Nweke, Paul Hilliard, Matt Edwards, Andrew Walters and Mandy Ewings, all making valuable and important contributions. Congratulations to Karen Lucioni who has just been elected as the first woman and the first Independent to chair the Police Panel for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are collecting useful initiatives on how our members are helping our communities to be stronger and safer. Please get in touch or join the Think Tank.
Labour’s changes to planning rules
Our new Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner MP, made a further statement this week about changes to planning rules in England to help deliver on the Government’s promise of 1.5 million new homes by 2029. The previous Government also started by seeing planning as a barrier, rather than a locally-led assurance of quality and the right homes in the right places, with reasonable facilities and services.
Our group has led the LGA campaign to remove the blanket right to buy where the Government takes a significant cut, the residents get a hefty discount and our council is left unable to replace the home. We are pleased the new Government has agreed to a public consultation on reforming the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme.
This week in a report by the Local Government Association, we seek to combine funding from multiple housing programmes into a single pot, managed by Local Councils. If this system were adopted by next year, it is estimated that up to 200,000 additional social homes could be built over a 30-year period. As we all know, only local councils and their communities know their areas best, it makes sense therefore that any changes to the National Policy Planning Framework adequately reflect and respond to the different areas of housing needs of the country.
Clean water? - not yet!
As water utilities fail to keep pace with ambitious growth, latest reports show pollution has worsened. Total pollution incidents from sewerage and water supply assets last year increased to 2,174 – the second consecutive annual increase and highest number recorded since 2019. There were 47 serious incidents and £6.7m paid in four prosecutions. The Environment Agency is taking on 500 new staff and increasing digital monitoring.
Civility in public life motion
The LGA has passed a motion on civility in public life, calling on the Government to establish a central unit to tackle abuse of councillors and improve the general public’s understanding of councillors’ decision-making role and healthy debate expectations. The motion also commits the LGA to continuing to support councils trying to take these issues locally.
If you have any particular significant experiences of intimidation and/or harassment during the recent local elections or from colleagues campaigning at the national elections, please let us know so that we can share this with our Defending Democracy Taskforce in collaboration with the Home Office.
Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme
Councils can now sign up to this programme in order to participate in Cohort 27 recruitment. Formerly known as the NGDP, the graduate scheme helps build crucial capacity within organisations whilst providing a platform for motivated trainees to kickstart their careers as future leaders of local government.
NAO report on potholes
An NAO report has found that the condition of local roads in England is declining and the repair backlog is increasing, with DfT allocating its funding ineffectively. The LGA have said that the new government should commit to maintain the previous government’s increased spending plans for local highways maintenance, alongside long-term funding certainty as recommended in this report, to improve road maintenance and prevent potholes in the first place.
Join one of our new working groups!
At our first ever Opposition Leaders and Deputy Leaders meeting last week, lots of discussions revolved around housing, what the term ‘affordable’ means and the role of Housing Revenue Accounts. At the same time Devolution continues to create much debate with the imposition of Mayors with unitary powers over local councils and thereby losing our unique independent voice!
Next Generation APPLICATIONS OPEN 2024/25 cohort – FEW SPACES LEFT!!!
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.
And finally…
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.
Warmest regards,
Biodiversity net gain programme
Natural England and Eunomia Consulting are keen to collect experiences and perceptions on biodiversity net gain since the policy became mandatory for new planning applications. Their evaluation project includes a short online survey closing on Friday 16 August 2024, which also asks for views on how the policy should develop. For any queries contact Rhiannon Lee
Democracy volunteers report on General Election
The Democracy volunteers have published their review of the General Election. It reported on issues, including voter ID, voter registration, family voting, postal voting and threats and violence against political representatives
Councillor Transformation Network
Our Councillor Transformation Network is for councillors working in transformation, change and innovation roles. Members will discuss emerging issues and trends affecting councils, and hear from each other and guests on policies, programmes and practices. The inaugural meeting of the network will be taking place in November 2024. To join this network please complete our expression of interest form.
Boosting Middle Leaders Programme
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. The deadline for applications is Sunday 8th September.
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
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.
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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