|
Greetings friends and colleagues,
Spring Statement 2025
Last week, the Chancellor delivered her latest update on the state of the British economy. The LGA has produced a factual on-the-day briefing which I encourage you to look at and unfortunately, there continues to be no respite for local government. The main item of concern is around welfare cuts where the increased pressure will impact on councils hard pressed hardship funds and services, and the LGA needs to do more work on this. However, we continue to fight hard against the Government’s mission to dissolve many of our local councils, and create new ones, which received no mention in last week’s statement!
Cllr Rachel Eburne, Deputy Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council
It is with great sadness to report that Cllr Rachel Eburne has finally lost her valiant battle against bone cancer. Diagnosed in 2018, and despite debilitating pain and treatment, she valiantly chose to continue her work as an active councillor, only stepping down, days before her death. Rachel served at the LGA on the Independent Group Executive and on one of our LGA boards. I would like to pay tribute to such a brilliant councillor, who was a warm and supportive team player. Rachel was amazingly dedicated, determined to do the best job possible for her community and for the planet. She will be much missed by us all. Sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. Rachel’s Council Leader, also one of our group members, Cllr Andy Mellen has also paid his own personal tribute.
LGA AGM and General Assembly
The General Assembly - the 'Parliament of Local Government' - meets once a year and is the only LGA decision-making forum which all authorities in membership are eligible to attend and to vote.
At the meeting, the General Assembly elects the LGA’s political leadership, receives the annual report and accounts, and may debate motions on nationally significant issues for local government.
Further details, including how to book, is available on the LGA Annual Conference webpage.
A. Invitation to submit a motion
The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for discussion of motions calling on the Association to take action on major strategic policy issues. Local authorities are invited to submit motions by the deadline of 5.00pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.
To do so, please:
- Refer to: Guidance note for submitting a motion to assist you in deciding whether your Motion meets the criteria for consideration by General Assembly. All Motions must comply with the criteria.
- Download and complete: Motion template which is at Appendix A of the guidance note.
Return to: memberservices@local.gov.uk or Member Services, Local Government Association, 18 Smith Square, Westminster, London, SW1P 3HZ by the deadline of: 5.00pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.
Please note that not all Motions received are submitted to General Assembly. The LGA Board will decide what Motions should be debated at General Assembly.
B. Confirming your representatives
Member authorities are also now formally invited to appoint their representatives to serve on the LGA General Assembly from 1 July 2025 for the period of one year. The nomination form is now available in electronic format and will automatically alert authorities to the total number of votes they are entitled to.
To appoint your representatives for 2025-26 and inform us of observers / substitutes attending, please:
- Complete and automatically submit the nomination form: General Assembly Registration Form by the deadline of: Friday 6 June 2025.
Please be aware that this online form must be completed as confirmation of your nominated representatives as it will include important voting allocation information. Without this evidence, Members will not be able to vote.
Need further guidance?
Information on the General Assembly.
Or contact members services or phone Fatima de Abreu on 07464 652721 / Dan Hyslop on 07920 230092
Pathways to Planning
Councils can sign up now to the next cohort of Pathways to Planning, which provides a talent pipeline of graduate planners for councils to employ. The programme will offer £4.5 million in salary bursaries for graduates starting work in September 2025, and every graduate place comes with an educational bursary of up to £10,000 as well. Apply now on the programme’s council-facing website or email the Pathways to Planning Team for more information.
The LGA support offer
Where there is agreement across all councils potentially affected, our offer includes:
- tailored support targeted to your councils needs
- specialist tools and expertise
- sector-wide support
- workforce recruitment and retention.
During this period in which councils are developing their business cases we will be sensitive to different views when considering what support we can provide.
Where all authorities in an area proposed for reorganisation or devolution agree that they would like to receive support, we will discuss with them a package of support targeted to their needs.
To find out more about what our offer includes, visit the LGA support page on the devolution hub. Please reach out to your Principal Adviser about further specific and tailored support offers.
Regional support
The LGA’s regional teams have a strong track record of providing support to councils to help them address specific challenges at all stages of devolution and LGR. Support includes our universal offers, such as Corporate Peer Challenge, tailored to support LGR preparations, and opportunities for knowledge sharing. Where all authorities in an area proposed for reorganisation or devolution agree they would like to receive support, we will discuss with them a package of support targeted to their needs – contact your regional team for more information.
With best wishes,
As always, please do get in touch with your regional lead peers should you require further help or assistance!
Best wishes,
LGA Independent Group Office
www.local.gov.uk/lga-independent
Dates for the Diary
Wednesday 30 April 2025, 2.00pm - 3.30pm
A national recruitment campaign for local government has been co-produced with councils and Solace and delivered in all regions: ‘Make a Difference, Work for Your Local Council’. The campaign aims to inspire individuals to explore career opportunities in local government and build positive public perceptions of the sector. This event will present the campaign, showcase best practice from councils, share the findings from an independent evaluation, and outline the next steps for 2025/26.
Wednesday 14 May 2025, 10.00am - 3.30pm
The LGA’s annual licensing conference provides an unrivalled opportunity to discuss all the key strategic and practical developments that can be expected to affect councils’ licensing committees and teams over the next year.
Tuesday 1 – Thursday 3 July 2025, Liverpool
Join us in Liverpool for the biggest event in the local government calendar, where we’ll be discussing the latest issues affecting local government.
|
