Greetings friends and colleagues!
I hope you are well and enjoying the Autumn. It is a very busy time in our councils and for the LGA. The new Government is naturally working to get a lot of big policies through quickly with time to settle before the next elections. The LGA is aiming for a new relationship where we co-produce policies, bringing proposals to the table and helping iron out complications in advance. Mayoral combined authorities and national planning controls will be early tests.
Safer and Stronger Communities
This week marks one year since the deadly attacks on 7 October, and alongside the recent UK disorder, our local councils are working hard to rebuild their communities.
The LGA has a policy board dedicated to safer and stronger communities which includes issues of crime and anti-social behaviour, community safety and public protection. One of the key objectives is in supporting councils to prevent violent extremism, tackle radicalisation and build community cohesion. I would like to thank our members on the board: Councillors Clive Woodbridge (Deputy Chair), Karen Lucioni, Chidi Nweke, Mandy Ewings, Matt Edwards and Andrew Walters for taking on such an important area of work and delivering for our residents and communities. To find out more about emergency planning and how councils and councillors can respond more effectively, the LGA has produced guidance on civil resilience and emergency planning.
Civility in Wales - Plaid Cymru Annual Conference
I am looking forward to being in Cardiff later this week for the annual conference of Plaid Cymru. As you know, the LGA works with the Welsh LGA to strengthen our combined local Government voice. Plaid Cymru councillors are part of our LGA Grouping and we work with councillors, assembly members and members of parliament on cross-party issues across the border. We will be gathering views on ‘Civility in Public Life – protecting our politicians and local councillors’ after an LGA survey found that 7 in 10 councillors had suffered abuse in the previous year.
I am delighted to be chairing an executive roundtable discussion this Friday, supported by our senior adviser on democracy at the LGA, Jess Norman. Our excellent panel includes Councillors Caryl Roberts (Ceredigion County Council), Chris Franks (Vale of Glamorgan Council) and Beca Brown (Gwynedd Council) and Assembly Member, Peredur Owen Griffiths AM (South Wales East). If you are at the conference, please do come and say ‘hello’ and join in the conversation!
Councillor Standards
I attended a briefing last week to learn that the new Local Government Minister, Jim McMahon MP, and civil servants at the Department have indicated that the Government may wish to re-examine the local Government standards system and sanctions. The LGA has few lines in relation to standards, except that we have historically supported a localist approach and did not support the introduction of a six-month suspension, which would mean the elected member can no longer a councillor. Currently, where a criminal offence and a minimum of a three- month sentence is found, the councillor’s role ceases. Much of Councillor behaviour is in our hands and it is vital we always stand up for good debate. We are looking to review the discussions in case the Government does consider reforming the standards and sanctions regime. Ensuring valid complaints in a fair process is important and our member peers can advise.
Constitution Review Working Group
The Working Group met for the final time last Thursday to review all the changes that have been proposed, discussed and debated. I would like to send my special thanks to my deputy, Councillor Caroline Jackson, on steering us through the inevitable ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ of this tricky process, as well Abigail Gallop, Head of the Independent Political Group Office, for providing her unique insight into the intricacies of such a complex document! My sincere thanks also go to members of the Group: Councillors Andrew Walters, Hannah Dalton, Kevin Etheridge, Georgina Hill, Andrew Cooper and Nate Higgins. Thank you for your time and effort spent on such a difficult project and for your valuable contributions which will make our group stronger and more democratic in the years to come. The revised constitution will be presented at our special general meeting at the LGA conference in Harrogate, 22 – 24 October, followed by a Question and Answer session.
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 email the Group Office to register and be sent a link. Please not that this will not be a full hybrid meeting.
And finally…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.
With thanks for all that you do for your residents and communities!
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.
Improvement and assurance framework for local government
Our improvement and assurance framework for local government is a sector resource designed to help councils check they have the right controls in place and identify where they need to become more effective. The framework has been developed through extensive engagement with local authorities, professional bodies and other stakeholders. Ultimately, it will support authorities to develop the effectiveness of their own assurance and to reduce the risk of failure.
Impact Programme
Councils are now able to sign up to Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme in order to participate in Cohort 27 recruitment. Formerly known as the National Graduate Development Programme (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.
Changes to council support for Ukrainians
Hosts are no longer eligible to receive thank you payments from councils for close family members moving into their home from 1 October 2024 either as new arrivals or as a rematch. Please contact your Strategic Migration Partnership with queries/ concerns.
Burial and cremation proposals
The Law Commission has published their Consultation paper on Burial and Cremation law. The consultation paper contains provisional proposals for reform on a number of issues including the regulation of burial grounds; grave reuse and reclamation; closed and disused burial grounds, and exhumation; the rights granted to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission; and cremation law. The consultation is open until 9 January 2025.
Warm Homes Plan
The Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator and Home Upgrade Hub have combined to become RISE - Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. If you are beginning to prepare your application to either the Warm Homes; Social Housing Fund or Warm Homes: Local Grant see what one to one support you may be able to access.
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
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, 2.00 – 3.30 pm
Work Local calls for a devolved and integrated employment and skills system. To move it to the next stage, the LGA has set out our offer of reform to the Government. This workshop will explore how the three strands of Work Local: Youth Pathways, Working Futures, and Skills for All apply to their local areas.
Tuesday 15 October 2024, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
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 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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