Sector support offers
Peer challenge continues to have a positive impact
Our peer challenge programme including our flagship Corporate Peer Challenge, is at the heart of the LGA’s Sector Support programme and continues to be highly effective and valued.
Corporate Peer Challenge provides robust, strategic and credible challenge and support to councils, bringing together political and managerial leadership, through the use of member and officer peers.
The LGA’s annual peer challenge impact survey, completed by leaders and chief executives following a corporate or finance peer challenge, found:
- 100 per cent of respondents said the process of preparing for and participating in their peer challenge had a positive impact on their council.
- 100 per cent of respondents found the peer challenge process challenging, demonstrating how the offer is providing constructive and critical friend challenge to councils.
In partnership with the local government sector, we have:
- Improved the overall rigour and robustness of our approach to CPC and onsite progress reviews.
- Developed a schedule to enable all English councils to have a CPC at least once every five years in order to meet councils Best Value duty.
- Increased focus on governance, finance, performance and assurance.
- Invested in and improved the training and development of Member and officer peers.
- Improved robustness, consistency and impact of CPC and progress review reports.
LGA budget support
As we return from the summer break and preparations for next year’s budget setting increase in intensity, this is a reminder that the LGA can provide advice, support and constructive challenge through our Finance Improvement and Sustainability Associates. These highly experienced ex-chief finance officers work closely with our regional teams and member peers to provide bespoke help and advice on options and practice. For more information, contact financeimprovement@local.gov.uk.
National recruitment campaign for local government - list of toolkit resources
In the lead to the launch of the national recruitment campaign for local government in November 2024, a campaign toolkit will be shared with all councils in early October 2024. This will contain editable versions of the campaign materials for local use. Ahead of sharing the full toolkit in October, we have produced a list of resources to help councils plan local activity to promote the campaign.
Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme
Councils are able to sign up to Impact: the LGA’s flagship local government graduate programme (previously known as the NGDP). The programme offers councils the opportunity to recruit talented and committed graduates for a two-year period – kickstarting the careers of future local government leaders. For further information, please get in touch with the team at impact@local.gov.uk.
Pathways to Planning
The LGA’s Pathways to Planning graduate programme delivers new planners into local planning authorities. Councils can now express interest in joining the next cohort. Graduate planners recruited will start work in councils by September 2025. Contact pathways.planning@local.gov.uk for more information.
Councillor Transformation Network
Our Councillor Transformation Network is for councillors with interest in or responsibility for transformation, change and innovation. Network members will discuss emerging issues and trends affecting councils, as well as hearing from each other and guest speakers on transformation 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.
Webinars and digital events
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 10 October 2024, 10.00am - 11.30am
This LGA virtual event will focus on how local authorities use their status as ‘anchor institutions’ to lead by example by adopting policies and processes more favourable to low carbon options in procurement, commissioning, the design of services, contract management and delivery of all services.
Tuesday 15 October 2024, 10.00am - 2.00pm (Birmingham - in person event)
This event will provide an opportunity to meet other new councillors and hear from more experienced councillors.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Booking is essential, so please ensure you book your place by clicking here.
Thursday 17 October 2024, 10.00am - 12 noon
Collaboration is essential for councils looking to achieve their transformation goals, with strategic partnerships being a common method for councils to implement transformation in cost-effective and innovative ways. This session will feature ‘spotlight on’ presentations and a roundtable discussion on working with strategic partners to deliver transformation.
Tuesday 22 – Thursday 24 October 2024 | Harrogate
The countdown is on to the annual LGA conference and exhibition. The 2024 conference programme for this year offers wide ranging sessions and speakers, covering the most pressing topics for the local government sector.
Featured as part of this, the Innovation Zone offers a vibrant, creative space with more than 40 engaging sessions from across the country. These sessions will showcase the important work that councils and sector partners are doing to respond to key issues – ranging from social services, and digital technologies, to public health and workforce. Sessions will provide delegates with learning they can utilise to create tangible, positive impacts in their own councils and communities.
Chair of the Improvement & Innovation Board, Cllr Abi Brown, will be speaking at a ‘Spotlight On’ session on the LGA’s strengthened CPC approach, alongside Commissioner Gavin Jones. Make sure you’re in the Zone at 8:30am on Tuesday to catch the session!
Tuesday 19 November 2024, 10.00am – 11.45am
The roundtable will explore the importance of how councils can collect, collate, and present data to inform initiatives that transform service delivery and outcomes for residents. Following the ‘spotlight on’ presentations, delegates will participate in a roundtable discussion.
Are you a councillor or senior council officer who has responsibility for delivering your council's ambitions for delivering net zero, climate adaptation or biodiversity targets? Sign up for one of our Sustainability masterclasses to learn how you can take meaningful action and become carbon literacy accredited, with plenty of opportunities for collaboration, discussion, and support.
Find out more and express your interest in the LGA’s sustainability masterclasses.
Additionally, you might be interested in...
Navigating financial uncertainty and building resilience: Guiding principles
The LGA has published guidance for councils on navigating financial uncertainty and building resilience. Commissioned from EY, the guide is designed predominantly for local authority finance teams, supporting them to work with members and colleagues across the council to plan and manage finances in challenging times.
Improvement and assurance framework: Councillors’ guide
Leadership Essentials
The cost of attending our Leadership Essentials programme will be fully subsidised, including accommodation, meals and course materials.
To sign up the Leadership Essentials programme, please contact grace.collins@local.gov.uk
Transformation
We are delivering a series of Leadership Essentials sessions on transformation for councillors that will help to give delegates greater confidence, capability, and awareness to shape and lead the transformation agenda within their local areas. The dates for the courses can be found on the LGA transformation webpage.
Fire and Rescue
We are delivering a series of Fire Leadership Essentials sessions to support Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) members with their responsibilities. We encourage all fire members to attend a fire programme as an induction to the fire sector and as an opportunity to network with other fire members. The dates for the courses can be found on the LGA Leadership Essentials webpage.
LG Inform and LG Inform Plus
Make the most of LG Inform and LG Inform Plus. It’s easy to book a place and discover more about the data, report writing and the other useful tools on offer. Just visit our online training page for more details and how to book.
New this Autumn, in addition to the popular webinars, we have three quick start training videos. Watch, share and feedback to us.
first magazine
Yours faithfully,
Cllr Abi Brown, OBE
Chair, LGA Improvement and Innovation Board
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