Greetings friends and colleagues!
I hope you are doing well in the thick of so much afoot just now. The Independent Group Office is here for you, supported by trained and accredited peers. Let me know if I can help with anything and copy in the office for security!
Next Generation 24/25 cohort begins
The first session of our 24/25 cohort of Next Generation programme began last weekend. Thank you to both Abigail Gallop, Head of the Independent Political Group Office, and Adam Paynter, our National lead Peer and our 14 ambitious councillors, comprising Independent and Green members, on the start of this exciting journey. I look forward to being with you all for the next two modules!
Joint Letter to the Chancellor
I have agreed a joint letter with our local government partners and membership organisations asking Rachel Reeves to protect local services from further cuts in 25/26 and instead reform the local government finance system to ensure long-term sustainability. Please take a look and feel free to share it, and to use the evidence offered in your own statements to the press.
It is clearly vital to the future of our nation that we keep the essential foundation services that councils provide. Councils form the foundation, the backbone of society which enables people to coexist in peace in our communities. Many councils are facing increasing demands, but without matching income – clearly a recipe for disaster!
Wales
On behalf of the LGA, I hosted an Executive Roundtable on ‘Civility in Public Life – protecting and supporting local politicians and councillors’, held at the Plaid Cymru conference in Cardiff. I am grateful to Councillors Beca Brown, Caryl Roberts, Christopher Franks, Peredur Owen Griffiths MS and former Plaid Leader Adam Price MS for sharing experiences and recommendations on such a delicate subject. Our steering group commissioned a new survey of members and the results will be out by next week. Clearly, there is still a long way to go but do remember the LGA has a wealth of resources to help protect you in your role as a councillor.
Representing the LGA Independent Group, I was able to contribute at the Association of Plaid Cymru Councillors AGM, meet all four MPs and both members of the House of Lords, Lord Wigley and Baroness Carmen Smith of Llanfaes, the youngest member of the House of Lords at 28.
We heard about their work on free school meals for all primary children, radical measures to increase the housing supply for local people in areas with high levels of second homes and temporary holiday accommodation, and a delay to the new farming scheme. I was interested to see this pro-renewable energy party pass a motion objecting to excessive solar panels on farmland as there are better alternatives.
I also had an opportunity to hear from, as well as meet with, Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, to discuss increased cooperation going forward into the May 2026 Senedd elections.
Complete the Annual Sector Support Survey!
As we begin discussions with Government regarding future programmes of support, we have launched our annual sector support survey to get views directly from the sector on their priorities and challenges. Please don’t forget to complete survey because this will allow us to find out what aspects of our existing support are of most value to councils, and will let us know if there are wider or new types of support they could benefit from. Let’s have the biggest response from the Independent Group!
Special General Meeting
I am looking forward to meeting you all next week at our LGA Annual Conference in Harrogate. 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, being held 10:30 – 12:30 in Queen’s Suite 2.
The items and motions that have been submitted by our members that will be discussed are:
- Changes to the Group Constitution regarding appointment to board places, AGM standing orders, standards and Group Elections.
- To change the name of the Local Government Association Independent Group to the Local Government Association Independent and Green Group.
- That the Leader of the LGA Independent Group does not attend the Plaid Cymru Party Conferences in the interests of best value because the Plaid Cymru councillors are very active with the Welsh Local Government Association and as such their Group in the Welsh Local Government Association should be supporting them at 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. If you would like to attend the meeting in person and are not attending the full conference, please email the Group Office (stating your local authority name) 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 and voting. Please email the Group Office from your council email address to register and be sent a link. Please note that this will not be a full hybrid meeting.
And finally…Reminder: Independent Group Conference, 10 - 11 January
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 now directly book via our webpage for early bird rates including overnight accommodation.
Warmest regards,
 Councillor Marianne Overton MBE
Leader of the Independent Group
Vice Chair of the Local Government Association
www.local.gov.uk/lga-independent
New Sustainability Improvement Programme webpages
We have launched our new branding and webpages for the Sustainability Improvement Programme, in partnership and funded through the Crown Commercial Service. Do check out our ‘Get Involved’ pages to see all our latest support offers, as well as ‘Upcoming Events and Roundtables’ to find all the details of our events. Do let us know what you think by emailing the sustainability team.
COP29: The importance of local government’s role in sustainability
Tuesday 12 November 2024, 10.00am - 11.30am | officers & councillors | virtual event
As the world prepares for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan, this virtual event will focus on how local authorities have and continue to play a critical role in the delivery of net zero, adaptation and climate action. The speakers will present case studies and emphasise councils' integral role, by acting locally, our impact can be global.
Sign-up for this event has not opened, please email the sustainability team to express your interest. Once the event is live you will be sent a link to register for the virtual event.
Local audit fees
This week we responded to the annual consultation on audit scale fees from Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA). In our response we supported the technical approach being taken by PSAA to the basic scale fee. We also highlighted concerns that councils have raised about audit fee variations and we emphasised that this process needs careful management by PSAA. The scale fee for 2024/25 has to be set by the 30 November deadline.
Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy framework consultation
We have submitted a response to OFGEM consultation on the Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy framework. The response advocates for councils to be resourced adequately to play their role in energy planning in their local area to their full potential. It builds on our earlier wins around local democratic accountability.
Public sector decarbonisation scheme
Phase 4 of the public sector decarbonisation scheme is now open for applications. The scheme provides grant funding to public sector organisations in England to install heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures in their buildings. The application portal closes on 25 November 2024.
Air quality and climate change
The Environmental Policy Implementation Community at the Institution of Environmental Sciences has launched new guidance for councils on integrating action on air quality and climate change. The advice covers, built environment, energy, transport, natural environment and includes a number of case studies from councils.
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.
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.
Dates for the Diary
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
Wednesday 6 November 2024, 10.30am – 12.00pm
This session will share findings and policy recommendations emanating from a major four-nations open policy development programme led by Culture Commons in partnership with the LGA and 30 partners. We will explore the risks and opportunities that further devolution might present to the creative, cultural and heritage ecosystem and local authorities. Delegates will have a chance to share their thoughts on how devolution could further enhance cultural delivery and commissioning.
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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