Greetings friends and colleagues!
Inspire and be inspired: COP29
The 29th United Nations climate change conference kicked off on 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan with an estimated 66,000 in attendance. Building on previous negotiations, the UN climate summit is expected to ensure redoubled efforts towards tackling climate change and adapting to the change now on its way.
There is a commitment from local government, increasingly reflected in central Government. The hardest nut to crack here is the desire to support vulnerable nations with adequate funding to adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate change, created mainly by the richer countries. All areas are now suffering loss and damage in the north as well as the south of the planet.
The devastating floods in Spain are just another stark reminder. The goal is to limit the increase of global temperatures to 1.5 degrees of what will happen. Current level is past that, at 1.54degrees. If current plans take place we are expecting a fairly devastating 2.4pc increase by 2050.
Last week, we heard from the Prime Minister and his commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035 relative to 1990 levels. Although we welcome this announcement, it can only be achieved by an improved level of cooperation between central and local government, with local authorities leading the field and a shared local benefit. There has also been a renewed call from Island Nations to come up with new taxes, levies and mechanisms for raising money from the most polluting industries that fail to meet the strict Paris targets. Clearly, a lot more work still to do!
Speech at Mansion House
Last week, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP gave her first speech at Mansion House. In her address, she announced the ‘biggest pension reform’ to take place in order to boost economic growth. Specifically, the government wants to merge 86 council pensions schemes into a handful of ‘pension mega-funds’. A consultation is already out on proposals relating to the topics of asset pooling, local and regional investment and scheme governance. The consultation closes on 16 January.
Remote attendance at council meetings focus groups
As you know the Government has launched a consultation on options to allow councillors to attend council meetings remotely and to use proxy votes. The LGA is gathering feedback on these proposals to support a consultation response. The focus group will be virtual, last one hour and will be led by LGA officers. The next one takes place on 21 November at 2pm. If you would like to attend, please complete the Focus Group attendance form by selecting Councillor on the first screen and completing the form.
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 how 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.
Independent Group Conference Maidenhead Friday 10 January from 7pm - 11 Jan 2025
Please do not forget to sign up for our Independent Group Annual Conference at Moor Hall Conference Centre in Maidenhead. It is always a brilliant event and well worth attending.
Once again it will be held over two days, with our ever popular group dinner on Friday 10 January followed by a full day of events on Saturday 11 January, 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 would like 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 10 January at the Moor Hall Conference Centre in Maidenhead. To nominate someone for this award please complete the form by 10:00am 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?
And finally…
Please do get in touch with your local Independent Regional Lead Peer for any issues related to your council or your local community. We are supported by a fantastic set of individuals, boasting a diversity of talent and expertise.
Best wishes,
 Councillor Marianne Overton MBE
Leader of the Independent Group
Vice Chair of the Local Government Association
www.local.gov.uk/lga-independent
Make a Difference, Work for your Local Council
Monday 4 November marked the launch of the ‘’ campaign. Funded by UK Government, the campaign is being advertised in all regions in England on radio, podcasts, billboards, social media and digital advertising. Councils across England have been using the made available to them promote the campaign locally – thank you to all those who have so far helped to spread the word.
The campaign website has already attracted 35,000 visitors and includes information about . A postcode search for job seekers looking for council roles features every council and combined authority in England. Shortly after the successful national launch, the North-East pilot campaign won at the annual LGC Workforce Awards for ‘Best Innovation in Recruitment’.
For further information, please contact .
Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme
Councils interested in recruiting talented graduates can sign up to Cohort 27 of Impact (formally NGDP) – the LGA’s flagship graduate scheme. The two-year programme attracts and develops the future leaders of the sector by placing high-calibre graduates in councils across the country. To find out more, please contact the team by emailing the team.
Councils as charity trustees
Many councils act as trustees of charitable organisations. A new guide for councillors on their role as trustees has been jointly published by the Charity Commission and the LGA, to accompany revised guidance. An interactive online workshop on the refreshed guidance with the Charity Commission for councillors and officers will be held on 3 December at 2pm. Places can be booked here.
UK-France Local Government Forum
The Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, will join Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire and Chair of UK Mayors, Leaders of Leeds and Bradford (hosts) and other leaders, at the next UK-France Local Government Forum from 12 to 13 December in Leeds. We encourage council leaders, cabinet members and officers with an interest to attend. For details and registration please email the Forum.
Flood funding
The Government announced that £50 million of funding will be distributed to internal drainage boards (IDBs). The funding will help projects that will improve, repair or replace IDB assets – including flood barriers, embankments and maintenance of watercourses. The funding will support projects which reduce risks and impacts from flooding to farmers and rural communities across England.
The Government has also committed to look at the funding formula for allocating money to proposed flood defences. A consultation will be launched in the new year which will include a review of the existing formula to ensure that the challenges facing businesses and rural and coastal communities are adequately considered when delivering flood protection.
Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge 2025
The Bloomberg Philanthropies 2025 Global Mayors competition provides an opportunity for cities with 100,000 population or more to secure funding to support innovative and transformational city services. The deadline to apply is 20 December 2024. For any queries please contact the competition team.
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.
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.
Dates for the Diary
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.
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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