Greetings friends and colleagues!
Remembrance Sunday
Like so many of you, I laid a wreath at the war memorial on Sunday, to honour the fallen and their families. I was pleased to see the Prime Minister and Leader of opposition walk side-by-side in unity. I wonder how many councils across the country make that same gesture of unity?
Independent Group Conference Maidenhead Friday 10 January from 7pm - 11 Jan 2025
Following an excellent whole LGA Conference, we are working on the issues raised and looking forward to the next event, our Independent Group Annual Conference for all our members at Moor Hall Conference Centre in Maidenhead. It is always a brilliant event and well worth attending. Book here. We are all determined to think and speak independently without a party whip, focussing on the best outcomes for our residents. That makes for great discussions. We bring that vibrancy of experience and independent thought to listen and work together to get the best solutions. Please join us. Be at the top of your game and book here.
Saturday 11th promises a full day of events finishing about 5pm. Talks and workshops on finance planning, coalition working, devolution, standards, working with the new government and a success to date of our LGA White Paper. There also will be workshops on being effective in administration and in opposition, working with your regional peers and the elections next May.
If you want an extra night of accommodation on Saturday 11 January, please email the office by Friday 20 December so we can arrange this for you.
A call for ideas, sponsors (and talent!)
If you have any ideas for workshops or topics for discussion, please get in touch. We have fantastic talent in our membership with great networks. Can you recommend an ethical sponsor to our conference or prominent speakers?
I am aiming to have an after-dinner review of member talent. Can you write sketches? Have we actors, directors, musicians and dancers or circus tricksters among us who would be prepared to take part? Please get in touch as we would very much like to provide some after dinner entertainment for our annual conference!
Citations and Awards
Many of our members do amazing work in their communities and in the LGA year after year. Thank you.
We will be presenting awards and citations at the LGA Independent Group Annual Conference Dinner on Friday 10th January at the Moor Hall Conference Centre in Maidenhead. To nominate someone for this award please complete the form by 10am on Monday 2 December.
The Clarence Barrett Award is in memory of our former Havering Residents’ Association colleague, who was the Independent Group Treasurer, a key member of the Resources Board and valued Peer at the time of his passing. Last year's recipient was Councillor Sue Baxter, Deputy Leader of Bromsgrove District Council for work and engagement with the LGA over many years.
The Citations and awards are in recognition of councillors who go above and beyond in their work, to contribute significantly to local government and residents. Is there someone you would like to nominate?
Devolution Working Group
We have been working on devolution of powers and money to our Councils as they are, without requiring reorganisation. However, the Government may have different ideas. The Devolution White Paper comes out on Monday for consultation.
We emphasise that local councillors are best placed to serve their communities and not just one individual Mayor backed by one of the major parties. You may be interested to read a report published by the Centre for Cities entitled ‘Economy First: A pragmatic English Devolution White Paper’, in the meantime. Lastly, our own internal working group on Devolution is about to begin and if you are interested in joining and contributing, please get in touch!
Virtual Meetings and Proxy Voting
We have worked hard for councillors to be allowed to attend meetings remotely in particular circumstances, such as covid, and to ensure equality to public office. More controversial is proxy voting, which would be very difficult for our members without a party whip. Voting on-line with the camera on, might work. The government consultation is now open and is asking for your views on allowing remote and hybrid attendance as well as the possible introduction of proxy voting at local authority meetings. Please make your views known and contribute to this important consultation by 19 December.
And finally…How to improve the LGA
The cross-party LGA board, met this week to review what we think is good about the LGA and what could be improved. A questionnaire will be coming out to you soon to gather the great ideas you have. Please let us know!
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Wishing you all the very best,
Best wishes,
 Councillor Marianne Overton MBE
Leader of the Independent Group
Vice Chair of the Local Government Association
www.local.gov.uk/lga-independent
NAO report on cladding
The National Audit Office published a report this week calling on the Government to outline a target date for the completion of dangerous cladding remediation works and providing greater transparency on remediation. In our response, we said councils will always do their best to ensure resident safety, but face significant challenges around funding. We look forward to seeing the Government’s plan for addressing this issue, which needs to include long term funding certainty.
Partners in Care and Health survey
The LGA and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care as Partners in Care and Health (PCH) has launched our first communications survey.
PCH helps councils to improve the way they deliver adult social care and public health services. We are keen to understand what our senior stakeholders think of PCH, what they know about it and how PCH can better support your council and its work. Please take three minutes to complete this very brief survey by 6 December 2024 – or ask your director of adult social services and director of public health to do so. We will feedback to you and also use your responses to help improve our service to you.
Debate Not Hate campaign evaluation
We are refreshing our Debate Not Hate campaign and want your feedback on what’s gone well, what could be better, and now best to use the campaign going forward. We want to hear from people who know the campaign or have been involved in promoting it locally. Have your say and shape the new campaign through the Debate Not Hate campaign evaluation survey.
Councillor standards project
At the LGA’s Annual Conference in Harrogate, Secretary of State, Angela Rayner MP, announced that the Government intends to consult on reforms to the local government standards framework, including a proposal to allow for the suspension of members who violate codes of conduct. In preparation for this consultation, the LGA will be engaging with councils on issues related to the current standards and conduct system, if you would like to be involved, please complete this expression of interest form which is open to members and officers.
Councillor transformation toolkit
Transformation within local government is about radically changing the ways that services operate and are delivered to achieve greater outcomes for local residents and communities, while delivering value for money. The councillor transformation toolkit has been designed to help councillors in their different roles to support, enable, make decisions on and scrutinise transformation.
New Towns: Launch of Call for Evidence
The New Towns Taskforce have launched a call for evidence, ensuring the Taskforce are aware of all potential opportunities across the country. The deadline for this call for evidence is 13 December 2024. If you have any queries about this call for evidence, please contact the Taskforce team.
Children’s homes capital funding
The Department for Education has opened the latest bidding round for its children’s homes capital fund. This fund provides match funding for councils looking to open, adapt or refurbish children’s homes dedicated to supporting children with complex needs. The deadline for applications is 28 February 2025. Full information has been sent to Directors of Children’s Services, and you can sign up to a webinar on 19 November (1-2.30pm) to hear more detail.
Exceptions to council tax premiums
On 1 November MHCLG published guidance on the exceptions to the council tax premium for second and empty homes as well as a Council Tax Information Letter to billing authorities. These run alongside the Regulations which became law on 1 November and which come into effect on 1 April 2025.
Transforming Business Rates
On 30 October HM Treasury published a discussion document which sets out the Government’s priority areas for reform of the business rates system. They will be conducting engagement between November 2024 and March 2025, with an initial phase of engagement before Christmas. If you would like to be involved, please contact the Treasury Team by 15 November. Please also let us have your views by emailing the LGA Finance Team.
Dates for the Diary
Tuesday 12 November 2024, 10.00am - 11.30am
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 aligned with COP29’s key objectives and emphasise the integral role councils have in the net zero agenda. By acting locally, our impact can be global.
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.
Spaces available on Leadership Essentials for Cllrs: Sport and physical activity in Crewe
Wednesday 13 November 2024 - Thursday 14 November 2024
This is an essential programme for councillors with the responsibility for active wellbeing, physical activity and communities. This programme is suitable for councillors in opposition, scrutiny and place boards. The programme aims to support councillors to develop skills to use systems approaches to:
- Help break down barriers and to reduce inequalities being faced by local communities.
- Work collaboratively with local partners and officers.
- Champion and advocate for physical activity and active wellbeing in all agendas.
- Take confident decisions.
The programme includes inspiring speakers and case studies from across the sector with transferrable good practice and there will be plenty of opportunities to network with councillors from across England. To book your place email Grace Collins
Thursday 14 November 2024, 9.30am - 3.30pm,
London and hybrid This event works with the local government sector to identify the challenges they face that could be solved by AI and smart technology, leading to a one-day ‘Showcase’ event highlighting the potential solutions offered by vendors to solve these challenges.
Tuesday 19 November 2024, 2.00pm - 3.30pm (virtual event)
This virtual event will provide useful insight into the role and function of the audit committee in local government. Looking at the role of an elected member in terms of the purpose of the audit committee itself and your wider governance role in this area.
Tuesday 19 November 2024, 2.00pm - 3.30pm (virtual event)
This virtual event will provide useful insight into the role and function of the audit committee in local government. Looking at the role of an elected member in terms of the purpose of the audit committee itself and your wider governance role in this area.
National Children and Adults Services Conference and Exhibition 2024 (NCASC)
The ACC, Liverpool, 27 - 29 November
NCASC is the annual, three-day conference for elected members and senior leaders in local authorities with responsibility for, or an interest in, the delivering effective services and opportunities for children, young people and adults. For more information on the full programme, including keynote speakers, and how to book, visit www.ncasc.info.
Thursday 9 January 2025, London
The LGA’s in-person annual Local Government Finance Conference is on Thursday 9 January 2025 at Smith Square. It will address the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement and look forward to the multi-year spending review.
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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