Greetings!
The Black Hole in Government Funds
The ‘unexpected’ £22bn shortfall in the budget, is less than 2% of the planned spend of £1226bn this financial year, 2024/25. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) have produced an excellent report, presentation, and webinar. They forecast the national debt to treble from under 100 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to over 270 per cent of GDP over the next 50 years, tripling borrowing costs and it may not even be possible. In addition, climate change will have a costly impact which could add ‘between 25 and 35 per cent of GDP to these pressures on debt’, even with a lower 2°C increase. Calculations of an aging population, the impact of low migrant earnings, trade and productivity (earnings) and public spending are also important. Well worth a look or listen!
Many of our members are objecting to Labour’s sudden cut to the winter fuel allowance to all except those on pension credit. Many who are eligible have not registered and like me, you may want to encourage eligible residents to claim what they need and help the local economy. Labour have also refused to rule out scrapping concessionary travel fares and council tax discounts. This is obviously causing much angst for our elderly residents and vulnerable communities, and it falls to us to think of new and innovative ways to provide helpful alternatives and ease the burden.
LGA Autumn Budget and Spending Review Submission
Thank you to all of you for contacting the LGA and contributing your thoughts and ideas. Our formal submission has been submitted to Government, followed up with ministerial meetings. This is a very useful document for us all, as it covers every aspect of our work, giving the baseline of calculated challenges and agreed solutions.
We have promoted our key priorities based on our white paper:
- Sufficient and sustainable funding
- A new focus on prevention and services for the wider community
- Building the homes we need
- Supporting our children and young people
- Reforming and sustainably funding adult social care
- Backing local climate action
- Delivering inclusive growth
- Safer streets
We have emphasised the funding gap we face of £6.2bn over the next two years is after more than a decade of cuts worth an estimated £24.5bn made by the last government. If this new Labour government is to succeed in its ‘six missions’, then it will have to work and trust local councils and councillors as best placed to deliver.
Opening the door - Meeting the new Independent Alliance
Last week I met with the new Independent Alliance in Parliament led by Jeremy Corbyn MP. There are now 13 Independent MP’s, six elected as Independents. The five Alliance MP’s remain independent, some with significant experience as elected councillors and as a “group”, they have a stronger position in Parliament. As Leader of the LGA Independent Group of councillors, I congratulated them on their success and shared our ‘key asks’ for local government. It was important also to promote the LGA and the benefits of LGA membership, ensuring we continue to build a strong and lasting partnership between central and local government.
Catching up with cross-bencher Lord Best OBE DL
I took the opportunity to also meet with Lord Richard Best OBE DL to share progress and future challenges in the work of the House of Lords, the LGA and our councils. Lord Best is incredibly active, instrumental in directly improving lives as well as via legislation, and just off to see the new alms houses he supported in Southwark.
Serendipity played out as I also met up with Baroness Natalie Bennett this week, sharing ideas and plans, following on from the Green Party Conference. I continue to be enormously impressed with her drive and energy.
We are grateful to all our Independent Group Vice-Presidents for their sterling work in Parliament and representing the interests of our Group and wider afield, the LGA in key debates and committees.
Planning Properly
The National Planning Policy is about to change big-time. We know that planning our areas to balance the economy, social needs and the environment is an important local democratic power. Government seems to see it as a barrier to be diminished. Please have a look and add strength in numbers. Thank you to all who attended the special session on Tuesday and made incredibly useful contributions, to our response. You understand the impact of the proposed changes in practice.
Thanks to our Head of Group Office, Abigail Gallop, who delivered the presentation twice. Please have a look at our summary of the 105 rule changes proposed in the National Planning Policy Framework Consultation. You may well want to respond individually as a group locally and contribute to our LGA Independent Group submission. Please send us a copy so we can better support you. The deadline is Tuesday 24 September, so there's no time to lose!
There is also a “New Homes Accelerator” that seeks to remove barriers on stalled sites and call for new sites. There is a call for evidence before 31 October. What emerged from our meeting was the need to focus not just on affordable homes but homes people can afford to maintain as well. A full localisation of planning is needed to deliver most effectively, as local government is best placed to deliver the increases the government requires.
Opposition Leaders’ meeting
It was a pleasure to meet once again with our opposition group leaders for our monthly catch-up, with 40 people in attendance to discuss the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. Grateful thanks to the important contributions and useful questions on wider issues. This is a useful forum, thanks for joining in so effectively.
Devolution and Affordable Housing ‘Expressions of Interest’
At our first ever Independent Group Opposition Leaders meeting back in July, there was a desire to establish two new working groups. The first focussing on affordable housing and the second on Devolution and Combined authorities. We are currently in the process of asking for ‘expressions of interest’ from all members and if you wish to join either or both groups, please contact the Group Office.
LGA Annual Conference – you can still book to attend
The programme for our upcoming Annual Conference in Harrogate 22-24 October has now been published! Please click on the ‘programme’ tab for more information. I will be looking forward to welcoming Carla Denyer MP who will be our special guest speaker at our group political dinner as well as our plenary session reflecting on her journey from local government to becoming an MP and sharing her thoughts on re-setting the central-local government partnership - a journey worth hearing! Current numbers are showing a record number of Independent Group councillors attending, so I am looking forward to an exciting conference.
The Peer work is continuing apace
Thanks to our trained and accredited peers hard at work assisting Councils and Councillors, accessed by contacting the Independent Group Office. I am most grateful to the support and improvements given by our excellent team, led by Cllr Adam Paynter of Cornwall.
Councillor Linda Gillham recently stood down as regional lead peer to concentrate on her new responsibilities as co-leader of Runnymede Borough Council. I would like to thank Linda for her fantastic work and contribution towards peer work and wish her well in her new role. Congratulations to Councillor Hannah Dalton on being selected as her successor as the new regional lead peer for London and the South east!
One of the issues raised is how to combine the demanding work of being a councillor or cabinet member with the day job. The LGA’s cross party Be a Councillor Campaign is running two focus groups (one each for employers and employed councillors) to hear experiences and good practice around balancing the councillor role with employment, and the mutual benefits and transferable skills for both.
If you wish to participate, please register your interest by 30 September 2024.
Reminder: Independent Group Conference
A reminder that we’ll be holding our own Independent Group Conference from the evening of Friday 10 through to Saturday 11 January near Maidenhead and you can book now for early bird rates including overnight accommodation.
And finally…
If you have not already signed up to our new Think-Tank online discussion portal, get in touch to be registered and start contributing to our policy sharing site! It is a great way to network with other members, get involved in a policy discussion area and provide helpful ideas to our lead members on the policy boards.
Good luck and thank you for all you are doing for our residents and our councils.
Warmest regards,
 Councillor Marianne Overton MBE
Leader of the Independent Group
Vice Chair of the Local Government Association
www.local.gov.uk/lga-independent
Leadership Essentials: Transformation
The Transformation Leadership Essentials is aimed at all councillors in a leadership role: whether you’re leader of the council, chair of scrutiny, leader of the opposition or cabinet member or committee chair, this programme will help demystify transformation and provide you with tools and skills to help you and your council.
By attending this course you will have increased confidence in understanding what is meant by ‘transformation’ in local government; increased skills and capability to shape and lead transformation and explore topics such as:
- transformation at different levels and approaches to delivering them
- different types of roles councillors play in supporting transformation in their council
- skills and capabilities councillors need to successfully lead and steer transformation
- different roles officers and councillors hold in this space
- building the skills that councillors need to confidently promote, communicate and translate transformation activities into their communities
- tools and techniques to scrutinise, challenge and champion transformation
- relevant knowledge on the latest thinking around the role of councillors in delivering transformation programmes.
The four sessions are set to take place on the following dates:
- Session 1: Saturday 5 October – Sunday 6 October 2024 (Virtual)
- Session 2: Saturday 7 December – Sunday 8 December 2024 (Warwick Conferences, Coventry CV4 7SH)
- Session 3: Saturday 18 January – Sunday 19 January 2025 (DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre, Granary Wharf, Leeds LS1 4BR)
- Session 4: Thursday 13 March – Friday 14 March 2025 (Virtual)
The cost of attending this programme will be fully subsidised. This includes accommodation, meals, course materials and tuition. To sign up for the training session please contact Grace Collins, if you have any queries about the sessions please contact the Transformation Team.
The Domestic Abuse Councillor Network
The Domestic Abuse Councillor Network is space for councillors and Police and Crime Commissioners with an interest in ending violence against women and girls facilitated by Women’s Aid. We’re currently planning our next network event which will take place this autumn, this event will connect members of the network, exploring the power councils have to tackle domestic abuse and meet the need to survivors, hearing from fellow network members on best practice in their area. Click here to sign up to the network. To find out more about how Women’s Aid can help you to tackle domestic abuse in your area visit our newly launched ‘Councillor and Commissioner Hub’. The hub is a ‘got to’ area for public authorities to access bespoke Women’s Aid resources, information on key duties and upcoming events.
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.
LGA Technology and Innovation Showcase: Call for Council Challenges
We are inviting councils to submit challenge statements for our new Technology and Innovation Showcase. This initiative connects you with cutting-edge AI and smart tech solutions to transform your corporate functions, service delivery, and resident engagement. The showcase will be an opportunity to engage with vetted, innovative tech vendors and drive innovation in local government. Selected challenges and solutions will be spotlighted at our hybrid showcase event on 14 November. Learn more and submit your challenge by the 19th of September.
Dates for the Diary
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.
Wednesday 9 October 2024, 2.00pm - 3.40pm
As part of the LGA’s support for councillor safety, we are offering this session to councillors to help build confidence around personal safety. Built around the role of the elected member, the session is full of practical advice and guidance.
Thursday 31 October 2024, 9.30am - 12.00pm Wednesday 13 November 2024, 9.30am - 12.00pm Tuesday 26 November 2024, 9.30am - 12.00pm
Our transformation action learning sets provide a unique development opportunity for councillors and officers to work with peers to explore solutions to transformation challenges in an action learning set environment. The registration for the second series is open for October to November. Please express your interest in the series you will be available to participate in via this registration form.
Tuesday 11 - Wednesday 12 March 2025 | Gateshead
The Annual Fire Conference and Exhibition is a key event in the conference calendar for senior fire officers and members of fire and rescue authorities. The conference provides an opportunity to meet in-person and discuss key strategic and practical developments impacting the fire and rescue sector over the next twelve months.
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