Greetings friends and colleagues!
LGA Annual Conference
We are now three weeks away from our LGA Annual Conference in Harrogate, 22 – 24 October. Please take a look at your very comprehensive programme which has something for everyone. In particular, the Innovation Zone offers a vibrant, creative space within the LGA’s Annual Conference, which enables councils to showcase their new ideas and solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing local government. It is also a brilliant opportunity to meet other Independent Group members to share trials and tribulations, taking back some very worthwhile ideas to implement in your council and home area. Remember you can attend the AGM’s and Independent Group Dinner on the Tuesday. Please register via the office.
Special General Meeting
The Independent Group will be debating the motions that were postponed from the Annual General Meeting in July at a Special General Meeting at the LGA Annual Conference. We encourage all Independent Group delegates at conference to attend. You are able to attend the Independent Group Special General Meeting at conference for free, taking place 10:15 until 11:45 in Queen’s Suite two at the Harrogate Conference Centre. If you would like to attend the meeting in person and are not attending the full conference, please email the Group Office to register and to have a badge at the entrance. Although the meeting is set up to be in person, we will be allowing remote access. Please note that this will not be a full hybrid meeting. To attend online please also email the Group Office to register and be sent a link.
LGA response to NPFF Consultation
The LGA has published its response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, please take a read and share it with your colleagues and stakeholders.
Tackling Climate Change together and learning lessons
As we plan ahead for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan the LGA have been engaged in supporting a Westminster Hall debate by MP’s recently, deciding the priorities of the UK Government. In the debate, we stressed the importance of local government in responding to climate change. We were well quoted by two MP’s; Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest Conservative) and Uma Kumara (Stratford and Bow, Labour). You can view the proceedings along with the full transcript. The sustainability hub on the LGA website remains a useful source anytime.
A new LGA report with a long title; “Climate action: International learnings on the governance of national and local government collaboration”, compares how local and national Government co-operate to tackle climate change in four different countries, namely the US, South Korea, Netherlands and Norway. As we learn from each other within the family of Local Government in England and Wales, so we learn a lot from local Government and partner colleagues in other countries.
For example, one report from Europe this month, demonstrated the opportunities for towns or cities aggregating their logistics and buying power to get solar panels onto roofs of thirty organisations. Food for thought?
Rural Services Network Online Conference
Recently, I attended the Rural Services Network online conference, and it is well worth a look! I found I was in good company with many of our Independent Group members and found the session on rural affordable housing, especially useful.
Making low carbon construction commercially viable
If you are short for some reading, I recommend this excellent article by one of my well-respected local housing developers, Steff Wright, on how to build sustainable homes.
Every part of England to have a regional mayor
Soon after Labour came to power, it was announced that a new council for regions and nations would be created to ensure every area of the country would have their voices heard. Furthermore, at last week’s Labour Party conference we heard local government minister, Jim McMahon MP, say that ‘it is not acceptable’ to not have a mayor.
As a result, a government white paper will be followed by an English Devolution Bill due later in 2025. The Independent Group remains resolutely opposed to any and all ‘devo deals’ which would take away power from local councillors and instead place it all into the hands of one individual, backed by the major parties. It would also mean changing existing rules which require regional mayors to serve an area of at least half a million people, which effectively excludes rural areas without a city nearby. I have already written to Jim McMahon MP asking for a ministerial meeting on devolution and solar panels.
Plaid Cymru Annual Conference
Next week, I shall be at the Plaid Cymru annual conference in Cardiff, listening, and representing the Independent Group to raise issues with parliamentarians, Senedd members and local councillors. I am honoured to be leading an executive roundtable session with other Welsh politicians on ‘Civility in Public Life – protecting our politicians and local councillors’ on Friday 11 October between 1.45 – 2.45pm. If you are attending, please do come along and participate. It will be great to meet you!
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
Six Months In: a session for newly elected councillors
Tuesday 15 October, 10am – 2pm, Birmingham (in person event)
A great opportunity for all new, and returning, councillors in the region to:
- Explore what the role means
- Learn about the evolving national policy context and challenges facing councils
- Hear from experienced councillors
- Network with colleagues from other councils
- Discover what LGA support is on offer
Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Booking is essential, so please ensure you book your place by clicking here.
New Homes Accelerator programme
The New Homes Accelerator aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched a call for evidence, which closes at 11.59pm on Thursday 31 October 2024. For any enquiries about the New Homes Accelerator or the call for sites, contact the New Homes Team.
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.
National recruitment campaign for local government – launch November 2024
A campaign toolkit will be shared with all councils in early October 2024, with editable versions of materials for local use. In the meantime, councils can use this list of resources to plan local activity, to promote the campaign.
The Events Industry Forum deadline set for Purple Guide grants
The Events Industry Forum has announced that the deadline for applications for Purple Guide grants this Autumn will be 18 October 2024. To date, the Forum has awarded over £226,000 in grants for projects supporting the UK outdoor events industry. Full details of the grants and how to apply, including guidelines which must be conformed to can be found on their website.
North Area Council Vacancies
Area Councils help the Arts Council make local funding decisions and represent regional interests. The North Area Council has two vacancies for two independent Members. To ensure a balance of skills they would welcome applications from people with a museums or libraries background.
To apply, submit a covering letter, CV and completed equal opportunities form to PA to North Area Director Rachael Singleton no later than 12.00pm on Friday 4 October 2024. Interviews for shortlisted applicants will be held online on 16 and 18 October 2024.
Dates for the Diary
Thursday 3 October 2024, 10.00am - 11.30am
Co-badged with the NRPF Network and ADASS, this virtual session is aimed at those supporting households with NRPF across councils. Attendees will learn about the NRPF Network’s recommendations for local and central government, find out about helpful resources and hear from councils to help inform local practice.
Leadership Essentials Transformation (session 1)
5 - 6 October 2024, virtual event
As a councillor, you’re likely hearing that ‘transformation programmes’ are the way to make efficiencies and savings but what does that really mean? Our series of Leadership Essentials on Transformation will help demystify transformation, giving councillors the confidence and capability to lead the transformation agenda within their councils. Visit the LGA Transformation webpage for more information.
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.
Wednesday 30 October 2024, 10.30am - 12.00pm The Right to Build
Taskforce takes a look at the insight and experiences of two local planning authorities in bringing forward self and custom-build homes. An elected member will also provide a perspective of how member support and involvement has been an important part of the journey.
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.
Thursday 31 October 2024, 2.00pm - 3.30pm
As part of the LGA’s support for councillor safety, we are offering this session for councillors to build confidence around handling online abuse and intimidation, a growing problem faced by many councillors.
Leadership Essentials: Culture for councillors with the responsibility for culture (Warwick Conferences)
4 - 5 November 2024, Coventry
This free to attend programme aims to support councillors to develop skills to be exceptional leaders of arts and culture in their places, build networks, work as confident decision-makers, champions and system leaders with partners and communities to tackle local challenges, such as health and social inequalities. The programme begins with dinner at 7.00pm on 4 November 2024, followed by a full programme on 5 November 2024. To find out more contact Grace Collins
Cohesion and counter-extremism masterclasses
13 November 2024, Warwick and 11 December 2024, Leeds
The LGA is offering a series of regional one-day masterclasses for councillors across the political spectrum to explore how councils can best respond to cohesion issues in their localities. Hearing from expert academics and leading organisations, the sessions will provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss sensitive issues in a safe space, share experiences and consider the role of elected members in tackling extremism and building community cohesion.The course is open to all elected members and is free of charge. Dates are now confirmed for Warwick and Leeds, with further courses expected to be announced for Manchester and Newcastle shortly. For more details and to book a place, please contact Rajpreet Khera.
Leadership Essentials: Sport and physical activity for councillors with the responsibility for physical activity
13 - 14 November 2024, Crewe
This free to attend programme aims to support councillors to develop skills and networks to support their role as leaders within local systems, working with communities and wider partners to tackle local challenges, such as health and social inequalities. To find out more contact Grace Collins
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