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Annual Report 2019
Liberal Democrat GroupLocal Government Association
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3 A message from the Leader of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group
6 LGA Liberal Democrat Group Executive 2017-2019
7 Your Liberal Democrat LGA Board Representatives
8 The 2019 Election and the LGA’s Political Balance
REPORTS:
9 Children and Young People Board
10 LGA Liberal Democrat Group Whip
12 Community Wellbeing Board
13 Culture, Tourism and Sport Board
14 Environment, Economy, Housing & Transport Board
15 Improvement and Innovation Board
16 Resources Board
17 Safer and Stronger Communities Board
18 Fire Service Management Committee and Fire Commission
19 City Regions Board
20 People and Places Board
21 Liberal Democrat Retained Peers Report
23 District Councils Network Report
24 County Councils Network Report
25 Brexit Task and Finish Group
26 The LGA Liberal Democrat Group Office
LGA Liberal Democrat Group2019 Annual Report contents
Front page: Liberal Democrats celebrate taking control of Bath andNorth East Somerset Council in May 2019. Photo: Clive Dellard
A message fromThe Leader of theLGA LiberalDemocrat Group
Welcome to your 2019 Annual Report. This is yourorganisation please take a few minutes to read what weare doing on your behalf.
It’s important all Liberal Democrat councillors knowabout the work of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group overthe past year and you see what your lead members havebeen doing on your behalf.
Thank youFirstly, thank you all for allowing the current leadership ofthe group to be elected unopposed. I know I speak forus all in saying it is a great honour to lead our LGALiberal Democrat Team, and the trust you have shownus is not taken lightly.
Still smiling - hope you are?I must start my report this year with the two sets ofexcellent election results we had in May.
First the local elections on May 2 – a great set of results,and down to really hard work over many months bycandidates and councillors. Do not let anybody tell you itwas anything different.
For the first time in many years we had a fair windbehind us but in it was also hard grassroots graft thatdelivered these results. Thanks to all involved whomade these results the best for many a moon. But moreon this later.
Secondly, the cracking results in the EuropeanElections. Again, a great set of results and well and trulyteed-up by those local election results. Other factorsalso made a massive contribution but do not under-estimate the momentum the great local elections resultscreated.
I still have a smile from ear to ear. Like many of you Ihave weathered less favourable results nights and foronce did not need my game face!
Work for the LGA corporatelyWe continue to input into areas including: Britain’s exitfrom the EU; Devolution and fair funding for localgovernment; inclusive growth, jobs and housing;children, education and schools; adult social care andhealth; supporting councils; and a single voice for localgovernment.
Specifically, our input into Fair Funding, Brexit, postGrenfell fallout, and Standards in Public Life has madea substantial impact on the final position taken by theLGA.
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE -on behalf of theLGA Leadership Team:Councillor Ruth Dombey OBE,Councillor Heather Kidd,andCouncillor Alan Connett
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Work with the Liberal Democrat familyWe work very closely and in a co-ordinated waywith ALDC. I have a fortnightly video conferencewith the Chair of ALDC (Mayor Dave Hodgson).The LGA Office also has a weekly conference withALDC along with regular informal contact andinformation sharing.
We have a joint ALDC/LGA Local GovernmentOffer at both Spring and Autumn Conferences andwe also sponsor the Group Leaders Day alongwith support for Kickstart campaigning and theCouncillor Weekend events.
I have regular senior level meetings across theparty, including Leader, Deputy Leader, President,Local Government Spokespersons in both Housesof Parliament, Chief Executive; Head ofCampaigns, and Chair of English Party amongothers.
In addition, I hosted an LGA lunch for the team inboth Houses of Parliament, as well as holdingseveral other meetings with many colleagues.
We have made repeated and continuingrepresentations about how the Party can do moreto treat local government, local councillors and thelocal elections with the same enthusiasm, noiseand volume as it does with other matters. Brexit isIMPORTANT, but it is not the only thing we areabout and must not be the sole thing that definesus.
We all know that the road to recovery is throughelecting more councillors, winning more councilsand rebuilding our campaigning base. We all wantto see Liberal Democrats everywhere.
In my view, we could have done even better in thecouncil elections with more support from thecentre. For example, more emails to membersencouraging people to stand, help deliver leafletsor contribute in some way locally.
We were spreading that message from before lastAutumn because our job is to stand up for theLiberal Democrat Local Government family.
I was delighted that when Vince heard our calls,he arranged a round-table meeting and gave ushis support. It was a real help.
And it demonstrated the value of the close workingarrangements we want to build and develop so weget more Liberal Democrats elected at all levels.
Our results in May brought us 700+ morecouncillors; some 30 more councils now run orinfluenced by Liberal Democrats; and a massiveadditional £1M into the party coffers.
Work with the Liberal Democrat LGA teamYour Leadership Team (Howard Sykes, RuthDombey, Heather Kidd and Alan Connett) meetface-to-face at least six times a year. Moreinformal contact is on a weekly basis via phone,email and video conferencing.
Our events have included Group Leader’s Day,Councillors’ Weekend and the Kickstart joint offer.
We were pleased to welcome Rt Hon Vince CableMP, Wera Hobhouse MP and Tim Farron MP toLGA Liberal Democrat Executive meetings withLayla Moran MP joining us on the phone, and welook forward to meeting with others such asChristine Jardine MP. Their help and support aregreatly appreciated.
We have also continued to punch above ourweight corporately within the LGA. I have goodworking relations with the other Vice Chairs, theChair of the LGA and its President, Lord Kerslake.
The Chair of the LGA will change this year. Theleader of the Conservative Group already has.These will be two new key relationships that will behigh on my agenda.
We promote Liberal Democrat values within theLGA on our boards; chairing: Culture, Tourism andSport; and playing a lead role in areas likeCommunity Well Being; Resources; Environment,Economy, Housing, Transport; and Fire Services.
We have promoted local government policy withinthe Liberal Democrats - for example on socialcare.
We have active involvement in policy developmentin the Party. With LGA support Heather Kidd andLucy Nethsingha chaired policy reviews on RuralAffairs and Education, as does Tim Pickstone onLocal Government. Also, very pleased Lucy isnow one of our 16 MEPs!
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A message fromThe Leader of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group
2019 ElectionsThis was one of the best sets of local elections inthe party’s history, certainly since the merger.Headlines include:
�� Net gains of 704 councillors.
�� Defending six Liberal Democrat controlledcouncils (Eastbourne, Eastleigh, Oadby and Wig-ston, South Lakeland, Three Rivers and Watford)with increased majorities in four of these.
�� Re-electing the Liberal Democrat DirectlyElected Mayor of Bedford and becoming the larg-est party on Bedford Borough Council.
�� Gaining majority control of 12 councils -Bath and North East Somerset; Chelmsford;Cotswold; Hinckley and Bosworth; Mole Valley;North Devon; North Norfolk; Somerset West andTaunton*; South Somerset; Teignbridge; Vale ofWhite Horse and Winchester.
�� Significant increases in many areas – inmany cases with the Liberal Democrats now be-coming the largest party with the opportunity totake minority or joint control. Examples includeArun (where we gained 17 seats); Bedford (6);Guildford (7); Mendip (11); South Oxfordshire(11) and York (9).
Conferences and eventsOur Peer Support Team is led by Alan Connettworking with Sarah Butikofer and Lisa Smart andsupported by our Peer Pool.
We have published good practice guides on theEnvironment, Planning and how SouthCambridgeshire was won. We held numerousfringe meetings at Party conferences.
We continue to provide support for GroupLeaders, Council Leaders, new councillors, andcouncil Groups across the country as well asGroup researchers.
Local Government is represented on FederalPolicy Committee and Federal Board. We aretrying to have a more co-ordinated approach tothis led by Chris White.
In summary, your Liberal Democrat Team at theLGA is working hard to support our councillorsand promote Liberal Democracy across localgovernment. Working together, let’s keepcampaigning. Thank you.
Councillor Howard Sykes MBELeader, LGA Liberal Democrat Group
We won seats in South Gloucestershire (above)and in Mid Sussex (right)
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Other LGA Liberal Democrat Executivemembers 2017 - 2019:Culture, Tourism & SportCouncillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE, [email protected]
Community WellbeingCouncillor Richard Kemp [email protected]
Children & Young PeopleCouncillor Lucy [email protected]
Environment, Economy,Housing and TransportCouncillor Adele [email protected]
Safer CommunitiesCouncillor Anita LowerNewcastle City [email protected]
People & PlacesCouncillor Heather [email protected]
Fire (Chair)Councillor Keith AspdenYork City [email protected]
CitiesCouncillor Abi [email protected]
County Councils NetworkCouncillor Jon [email protected]
ALDC RepresentativeCouncillor Tim [email protected]
Improvement & InnovationMayor Dave Hodgson [email protected]
Group Leader(and LGA Vice Chair)CouncillorHoward Sykes [email protected]
LGA Liberal Democrat Group Executiveand Leadership Team 2017 - 2019
Group WhipCouncillorAlan [email protected]
Elected in August 2017 for two years, the Liberal Democrat Group Executive represent the politicalleadership of Liberal Democrats in local government inside and outside the LGA Group. The Executiveconsists of the Leadership Team and the lead Liberal Democrat members of the LGA Group boards andpanels, along with the Liberal Democrat representative on each of the other bodies in the LGA. TheLeadership team, listed below, were returned unopposed to serve another two years from 2019-2021.
Policy Co-ordinator andBrexit working group repCouncillor Chris WhiteSt [email protected]
FPC representativeCouncillor Paul Tilsley [email protected]
Audit and District CouncilsNetworkCouncillor David [email protected]
Group ChairCouncillorHeather [email protected]
Deputy Group LeaderCouncillorRuth Dombey [email protected]
ResourcesCouncillor Claire HudsonMendip (until May 2019)Councillor Adam PaynterCornwall (from May 2019)[email protected]
LGA Boards cover all areas of a local authority’s remit and provides guidance to the LGA as it representslocal government at Westminster and advises councils around the country. The newly elected members toserve from 2019-2021 are as follows:
Children and Young People Mark Cory* Colchester (Lead) [email protected] Nick Cott* Newcastle [email protected]
Community Wellbeing Richard Kemp Liverpool (Lead) [email protected] Doreen Huddart Newcastle [email protected]
Carl Quilliam Merton (Sub) [email protected] Tourism and SportGerald Vernon-Jackson Portsmouth (Lead and Chair) [email protected]
Chris White St Albans and Hertfordshire [email protected] Hogg Cumbria (Sub) [email protected], Economy, housing and TransportAdele Morris Southwark (Lead) [email protected]
Peter Thornton South Lakeland & Cumbria [email protected] Stuart Golton Leeds City (Sub) [email protected]
Improvement and Innovation Liz Green Kingston Upon Thames (lead) [email protected] Dave Hodgson Bedford [email protected]
Caroline Leaver North Devon (Sub) [email protected] House Eastleigh and Hampshire (Lead) [email protected]
Adam Paynter Cornwall [email protected] Bell North Somerset (Sub) [email protected] CommunitiesBridget Smith South Cambridgeshire (Lead) [email protected] Hilton Gloucestershire [email protected] Ball Ealing (Sub) [email protected] RegionsAnita Lower Newcastle (Lead) [email protected] Roberts Richmond [email protected] and PlacesHeather Kidd Shropshire (Lead) [email protected]
Sarah Osborne East Sussex [email protected] Ward North Norfolk [email protected] Collins Cumbria (Sub) [email protected] ServicesKeith Aspden York (Lead) [email protected] Lambert East Sussex [email protected] Price Hampshire (Sub) [email protected] Co-ordinator and LGA Brexit working group repChris White Hertfordshire and St Albans [email protected] repPaul Tilsley Birmingham [email protected] Properties Board and Audit lead
David Neighbour Hart [email protected](Properties and Audit to be confirmed for 2019-2020)
(Notes: Elections are underway for lead member on the District Councils Network and the County Councils Network. * = Lucy Nethsingha MEP is currently on sabbatical for 6 months following her election to the European Parliament, so Nick Cott is the second Board member until December 2019).
Who are the Liberal Democratmembers on LGA Boards 2019-2021?
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The 2019 Local Elections and theLGA’s Political BalanceAs a cross-party membership organisation, the LGA’s governance isdetermined by the strength of its four political groups.Following the local elections each year, Plymouth University’s ElectionsCentre calculates the proportionality figures using a formula that takesaccount of the number of council seats held by each group and thepopulation and type of authority that they represent.Political Balance of the LGA at the time of calculation for 2018-19 was:CON 38.8% (-4.6%)LAB 38.0% (-0.8%)LIB DEM 12.5% (+2.8%)IND 10.7% (+2.6%)(Figures in brackets show change from previous year)
This has strengthened the LGA Liberal Democrat Group representation, gainingone place on the People and Places Board and one place on Fire ServicesManagement and again means that no group has majority control of the LGA.
Liberal Democrats have taken the leadershipof Arun District Council this year
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Following on from the Bight Futures report there hasbeen a major campaign by the board and LGA morewidely to get Government to recognise the scale ofthe funding challenge in Children’s Social Care. Thenumber of children coming into care across thesystem continues to rise, (although slightly lesssteeply) and the costs of placements are alsoincreasing.
During the course of this year the Newton work,looking in depth at the funding issues in children’ssocial care have been augmented by another majorstudy from Isos looking at the challenges ofsupporting children with Special Education Needs andDisabilities. This was a fantastic piece of work, wellworth reading, and can be found here:https://tinyurl.com/y5ho746a
The report points out that costs are rising fast forproviding education for young people with SEND,which combined with increasing numbers of childrencoming into the system is likely to lead to a deficit ofbetween £1.2 and £1.6 billion by 2021.
The report is also very clear in demonstrating how thekey drivers for schools, both financial and in thequality judgements schools face, discouragemainstream schools from keeping SEND pupils withinthe mainstream system.
This is likely to mean that more children than inthe past are being judged by schools as notable to cope in mainstream school. While thereis clearly a need for some children to beeducated in special schools the over-whelmingevidence is that where children can cope withmainstream education, they do better. It is thusunhelpful for both the children concerned andfor council finances if children are notencouraged and supported to remain inmainstream schools. (The report is clear thatmany schools do try to keep SEND pupils, butthat they do this in-spite of the system, notbecause of it.)
The National Adoption Leadership Boardchanged its name this year, to become theNational Adoption and Special GuardianshipBoard, and has focussed strongly on thepressures facing Special Guardians this year.Special Guardians (SG)are usually adults in thesame family as a child who offer to “adopt” thechild. The process for becoming a SpecialGuardian is rather shorter and with fewerchecks than for Adoption, although there hasbeen some tightening up of the processesrecently. The ASGB has been concerned thatthere is often far less support available for SGsthan for Adoptive parents, although they arelikely to be dealing with many of the sameissues, and often have added complications asthe birth parents are members of the family andthus around, sometimes causing difficulties.
During this year a skills taskforce has beenrunning looking into the skills shortages in theUK and at how the apprenticeship levy andwider system are working. There have been arange of Round-table events, which have beenvery well attended. The overwhelming viewappears to be that the apprenticeship levy is notworking well at all, and there is a very seriousfailure in ensuring that 16-18 year olds arebeing trained with the right skills for the futureneeds of the economy. There will be more workon this in the coming year.
During the year I have worked closely withLayla Moran, the Parliamentary team and theLiberal Democrat Education Association. TheLDEA held two fringe events at autumnconference on home schooling and on youthwork, which I chaired. At spring conference wewere successful in getting a motion on knifecrime and youth work passed, with support fromALDC. I also chaired a session on SEND at theLGA conference, launching the initial findings ofthe Isos report.
Children andYoung PeopleBoardCouncillor Lucy Nethsingha MEP
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Conference for Smaller GroupsOur first conference for smaller groups provedboth popular and successful. The sessionswere bespoke, meeting the needs identified byGroup Leaders through an earlier survey.Scrutiny, Standards and finance were the corethemes.More than 80% of delegates found the overallexperience very good or extremely good andeveryone who responded found the speakersand workshops to be extremely good or verygood.
We have taken account of comments on howthe conference could be improved and the datefor this year’s Smaller Groups Conference willbe announced soon.
Standards CommitteesI reported last year how we had assisted somecolleagues who found themselves on the sharpend of a Standards complaint. There is acontinuing need for support. Standardscomplaints sap the energy and can cause realdistress to councillors.
The length of time it takes to deal withcomplaints alongside the lack of access in mostcases to independent legal advice and supportis a real concern.
We contributed to the LGA response on theGovernment’s consultation on the nationalStandards system and highlighted the ‘inequityof arms’ referred to above.The proposed new ‘punishment’ of suspending acouncillor for six months with loss of Allowanceswill, I fear, inhibit the ‘enquiring councillor’ fromprobing too far for fear they are accused ofbringing their authority into disrepute!
Standing OrdersThe amendments to our Group Standing Ordersfor the LGA were put to the annual meeting lastyear and approved. The changes permittemporary amendments to ensure we arecompliant with regard to Party policy arising fromthe Alderdice and Morrisey reports and greaterclarity about filling casual vacancies on theExecutive. Standing Orders also now includereference to the District Councils Network andthe County Council Network.
Reports & AttendanceI am grateful to colleagues for submitting theirreports on time. Where they have been late, it iswith good reason.The summary of attendance is included withinthis report and has, overall, been good. I willcontinue again this year to focus attention onattendance at LGA Boards and Panels.
If colleagues serving on Boards find they are notable to attend, the requirement is for them toensure the substitute member attends in theirabsence and to report back on the meeting.
General SummaryStepping into the Group Whip role two yearsago, I was not sure what to expect. I haveenjoyed working as part of the Liberal Democratteam representing you at the LGA and amgrateful to all of my colleagues on Boards andPanels for their support.
In particular, my appreciation to the team in theLGA Liberal Democrat Group Office, TerryStacy, Rob Banks and Amy Haldane for not onlysharing the difficult issues, but also identifyingpossible solutions.
I continue as Group Whip for the next two-yearperiod and look forward to working withcolleagues elected to the LGA Boards, Panelsand the Executive team – Howard Sykes, GroupLeader, Ruth Dombey, Deputy Leader, HeatherKidd, Chair.
Whip’s Report
Councillor Alan Connett
Attendance and reports, 2018-19
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The LGA Lib Dem Group workwith ALDC all year round - forexample organising the “NextGeneration” and “Be aCouncillor” programmes.Photo: 2018-19 NextGeneration participantsmeeting
* = Note: no meeting in December but Executive Members were still asked to submit reports
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The 2018/19 LGA year can be summed very simply.There has been a total lack of strategic decisionmaking; policy discussion or intelligent allocation ofresources. Not by the Lib Dem Group or the LGA Imust hurriedly say - but by the Government!
The biggest problem facing local government todayis the ever-increasing number of people who aregrowing older and frailer. This is not only a questionof conventional old age but also a huge number ofpeople whose lives have been saved by medicalintervention but who will need support for the wholeof their lives.
We were promised a Green Paper on Adult Socialcare in June 2017, December 2017, June 2018,December 2018, and March 2019. The report hasyet to be written! There are too many complexitiesand difficult decisions to be made by theGovernment who continue to throw us short termsums of money to paper over the cracks but will notdeal with the long-term issues.
Public Health is another concern. Mutterings weremade about PH going back to be part of the NHSservice. We were reassured by the Secretary ofState that this was not going to happen not least
because it would need legislation. TheGovernment is, in theory, moving money within theservice to meet their ambition of ‘prevention notcure’.
However, its way of doing this is to look at NHSservices like inoculation rather than the joining upof services at a local level in order to holisticallylook at wellbeing issues. In the meantime, we havelittle idea of what our PH budgets will be becauseof the lack of decisions on the CSR and themoving of the business rate etc.
The LGA’s response to this has been robust. Ihave met numerous Health and Social CareMinisters over the past year who appear acutelyembarrassed by all this. Their own departmentalfinancial ineptitude has meant that money that wassupposed to come to the LGA for training andsupport of local NHS/Council initiatives has beensuspended. I am delighted that every singleappropriate council has voluntarily adopted aprevention of suicide strategy but sad that wecannot assist councils in achieving their ambitionsto the extent that we would like.
The Lib Dem response has been to work togetherboth in local government and with our colleaguesin both houses of Parliament. Shortly after wemeet in Bournemouth, I will be meeting Dr SarahWollaston, the Chair of the Health SelectCommittee and who is now an Independent MP.
We have continued to try and help Lib Dems oncouncils do their best in these circumstances. Withour increased level of influence or control ofcouncils there is much that we can practically do toassist with public health activities. This is not just aunitary or upper tier function. Every councilcontrols facilities such as parks and communitycentres where more could be done to encourageprevention and wellbeing activities. I hope toproduce a ‘check list’ of what can be done over thesummer.
I have tried to keep people informed of what isgoing on through a Facebook site – Lib Dem CllrsHealth & Social Care. Please get your relevantportfolio holder to join and to contribute. Mycontact email is below.
I’d like to thank Doreen Huddart from Newcastlewho has been the other Lib Dem on this Board andRob Banks in the LGA Lib Dem Office for theirgreat support and advice.
Community WellbeingBoard
Councillor Richard Kemp CBE
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Over the last year the Culture Tourism andSport Board has had an active year. On mysuggestion we now hold meetings outsideLondon, and are the only LGA Board to do this.Last year we went to Birmingham, to meet in thewonderful new library the City Council has built.This year we went to Sheffield to meet in theirwonderful contemporary art gallery. I hope otherboards will follow our lead and start to meetoutside London.
The main areas of work have been on Culturalled Regeneration, and on skills gap in the visitoreconomy all around the country.
In Cultural led Regeneration the Boardcommissioned and launched a major reportlooking at different sorts of cultural regeneration.It looked at case studies were done in manydifferent council areas all around the country. Itlooked at both major projects like the Turner, butalso small scale festivals and projects. The hopeis that this will be a resource for councils all overthe country to use.
This year the concentration is the skills gap inthe visitor economy all across the country.
We have commissioned work looking at theproblem in both rural, seaside and urban areas.The issues are very much the same all over thecountry. Local funding for local skills work seemsa much better way to draw employers, localcolleges and employees together to get thetraining needs met in each area. The nationalsystem does not seem as effective.
The Board has also looked at the Parks Actionplan, but the frequent changes of Ministers hasmeant this has not had the attention it is due.I've tried to get Ministers and officials to thinkabout parks in smaller towns, instead of justthinking about major cities. The test case I havegiven them is "What about markets towns likeBarnstaple?"
The Libraries Task force continues and we havebeen successful in moving it to become more ofa helping hand, offering peer reviews and peerhelp to councils who need help. There is also aseries of Leadership Essential Courses (free) forportfolio holders in both the Sports and Culturalsectors.
This year we will be developing a "CulturalStrategy in a box" to help councils in this area ofwork, and next year I hope we will do the samefor Sporting Strategy.
My thanks everyone who has been in touchabout this area of the LGA's work. My emailaddress is below if you have any thoughts orquestions.
Culture, Tourismand Sport BoardCouncillor Gerald Vernon-JacksonCBE
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This has been another busy year for me and PeterThornton on the EEHT board, with its wide remit andmany central government consultations for the LGAto respond to. Here is a sample of what we covered.
DEFRA published their Resources and WasteStrategy, linked to the 25 Year Environment Plan.
I chaired an event on this. We responded to theconsultations on: consistency in local authorityrecycling and waste services; a deposit returnscheme; a tax on plastic containers without a 30%recycled content; reforms to the packaging wastesystem through changes to extended producerresponsibility.
The response from councils across the country isthat whilst there is an ambition to reduce waste andincrease recycling, there is no ‘one size fits all’process due to different geographies, demographicsand existing recycling/incineration systems. The keyask from local councils is that any new requirementsmust be properly funded. Ultimately the best way toreduce waste and recycling is for less of it to beproduced in the first place, and for there to beconsistency in the use of materials when packagingis necessary.
Housing continues to be high on the agenda andrising homelessness remains of particular concern.In April I appeared before a House of CommonsSelect Committee to discuss the LGA’s findings onthe Homelessness Reduction Act. Many councilsare doing good work, however the main concernsare around: insufficient funding from government;pressure on staff from increased workload; notenough homes that people can afford; localhousing allowance cap must rise to meetincreasing cost of private rented accommodation.
I chaired an event on the LGA report on speedingup housing delivery, and produced a booklethighlighting Lib Dem best practice approaches toplanning and ran sessions on it at the LGA and LibDem autumn conference. With many councilsdeclaring a Climate Emergency, there will be muchmore work for the LGA and the Lib Dems to do onthis going forward. In partnership with Green LibDems we produced a booklet on environmentalgood practice, with a session at spring conference.Peter sits on the SUSTRANS “Paths for All”steering committee, looking at ways to increasewalking and cycling.
The Planning Advisory Service (PAS) now reportsdirectly to the EEHT board. Their support tocouncils includes: responding to the new housingdelivery test and assessing the effect of the 20%fee increase on planning departments.
Board members visited two councils to hear abouttheir approaches to town centre regeneration. Oneis also buying commercial property in order to stopit from being changed to residential without theneed for planning permission, which is allowedunder the new permitted development rights. Thisis causing major problems in some areas, not justfrom the loss of commercial space but also fromthe poor quality of some of the housing. It alsomeans that councils cannot collect anycontributions towards affordable housing orinfrastructure from these developments.
I continue to meet regularly with the Lib DemParliamentary Local Government team. Peterkeeps in touch with the transport group, chaired byBaroness Jenny Randerson.Many of the EEHT board consultation responses,case studies, publications and press releases canbe found on the LGA website.
Environment, Economy,Housing and TransportBoardCouncillor Adele Morris
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The Board offers support for improvement andsets a strategic framework for LGA activitydesigned to help and support councils drive theirown improvement and strengthen localaccountability and transparency.
Sector-led Improvement – Leadership &ImprovementThe Board leads on the continued offer of a widerange of development opportunity for councillors.Alongside flagship programmes such as theLeadership Academy and Next Generation, theLGA offers specialised masterclasses andresidential courses on topics such as scrutiny,finance, children’s services and planning.2018/19 showed over 800 participants. WithLiberal Democrats only taking up 64 of these weneed to make sure we make full use of theseprogrammes.
Key Highlights:● 842 councillors in total attended all our
leadership courses● 145 peer challenges delivered, with 71 of those
councils having a Corporate/Finance peerchallenge (next most popular Health 18 &Children’s 18)
● Productivity experts deployed in 42 councils,helping them to save a projected £42.6m
● Maintained the shared service map whichidentifies cumulative efficiency savings in excessof £971m (up from £657 in previous year)
● Provided support to 26 councils to improve howthey engage and communicate with theircommunities
● Held a very successful Innovation Zone at theLGA conference
● Provided financial advice to 42 councils● Recruited 123 graduates as part of the National
Graduate Development Programme (NGDP).
Of the 52 deliverables agreed in the Memorandum ofUnderstanding with MHCLG, 50 were green andthere were 2 reds. The two reds were:● To reduce the number of councils who have not
had a corporate peer challenge since 2012 by50% to 56. The number was reduced to 63therefore missing the target. With so many newCouncil leaders (many Lib Dems!) it is hoped thisthis will be sorted!
● Publish a workforce strategy by September 2018(this was delayed due to the need to take intoaccount new data and the NHS workforcestrategy). It has now been published.
Productivity● Supported shared service arrangements and
continues to run a “matchmaking” service.● Delivered commercial skills masterclasses for
elected councillors, commissioned commercialexperts to work with councils as localgovernment’s interest in commercialisation andincome generation continues.
● Continues to run a productivity expertsprogramme to help councils realise ambitiousefficiency and income targets.
● Provided support on procurement, with additionalsupport for councils in dealing with the collapseof Carillion.
Transparency and Data● Maintained LG Inform (a tool you should use if
you don’t already!), and ran training events.● Continued to support the delivery of the National
Cyber Security Strategy● Delivered a comprehensive programme of
support around better use of data and digitaltransformation.
There are many ways that the LGA can support andhelp new Liberal Democrat Councillors and Councils– please make sure that as Liberal Democrats wemake full use of the opportunities. If you wish toknow more drop me an email.
Improvement andInnovation BoardMayor Dave Hodgson MBE
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Claire Hudson has ably led this board for us over thelast 6 years and I would like to thank her for herwork and I have enjoyed working with her for the last2 years.
Simon Shaw (Sefton) has continued to activelyengage in the Resources Board and substitutedwhen necessary.
The LGA’s Resources Board shapes and developsthe Association's policies and programmes in linewith the LGA priorities in relation to: LocalGovernment Finance; Strategic Finance; WelfareReform; EU Funding and Workforce issues.
2018/19 has been a frustrating year for the board asinactivity from Westminster has seen very slowprogress for many of the key issues facing councils.
The updates on the Spending Review, SharedProsperity Fund and The Adult Social Care GreenPaper have really made no progress over this year.
Things that have made progress have been thelaunch of The Local Government Mutual to providean alternative to traditional insurance.
Work on the gender pay gap and pension issuesacross local government.
A long-term work programme looking at issuessuch as securing extra business rates, designingthe retention system, managing risks andincentives.
Continue to ensure that all challenges arising fromthe implementation of Universal Credit arerecognised and funded, and that councils haveboth the information and the funding to supportclaimants, particularly in relation to ‘managedmigration’ of claimants on legacy benefits fromJuly 2019.
Let’s hope for more action for this board whenBrexit is rejected and we can get on with importantresources work for local government.
Finally, special thanks to Michael Headley for allhis hard work as the Liberal Democratrepresentative on the Business Rates retentionworking party.
ResourcesBoard
Councillor Adam Paynter
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This is my final report from the Board since myterm of office is up this year.
It has been a very busy and varied year for theBoard; we have seen the implementation of thereduction to the betting limit for the FOBT’snow £2, rather than £100. As a member of theBoard I was part of the APPG chaired byCaroline Harris MP to lobby for this change.
There has been a joint programme with SSCB,GamCare and M&C Saatchi to produce anti-gambling adverts for TV. These weresupported by Sky Sport and BT Sport. I was amember of the focus group and the advertswere aimed at 16 to 35 year olds.
There has been a lot of work done aroundDomestic Violence Against Women and Girls,including attending meetings of the NationalOversight Group on Domestic Abuse. TheBoard has submitted responses toGovernment consultations on Violence AgainstWomen and Girls, Online Harm and theinvestigation by the Competition and MarketsAuthority into the funerals and cremationmarket.
We have continued to be involved with theaftermath of Grenfell, including regulations
around cladding and fire prevention in high rise blocks.
We have been involved as a consultee with TaxiLicensing and a national register for taxi drivers. Ibriefed the parliamentary group on the main issuesfor local councils, and several LGA suggestionsmade their way to the Bill.
We have held several events, which were residentialacross the country, connected to Counter Extremism,including the far right, and these were well attended.
I continue to chair the FGM National AdvisoryCommittee. The Centre is managed by Barnardo’sand this year we have been working hard to promoteour online toolkit with launches in London,Manchester and Cardiff. The toolkit has beenacknowledged nationally with an award for The BestUse of Technology in Learning from the TrainingJournal. We were at the US Embassy when anagreement on FGM was signed between theMetropolitan Police and Homeland Security. TheCentre was funded for 3 years, this is year two so, alot of effort is being put into raising awareness andidentifying further funding.
Following the final report from Baroness Newlove onASB, we are looking at a refresh of ASB legislationand the call in the report for more restorative justice.
The Board continues to work well together and therehave been some new workstreams, including CountyLines, Modern Day Slavery and Dangerous Dogs.We have also had security briefings to helpunderstand the issues around PREVENT andCounter Extremism.
There have been several conferences this year,including CTSI (Chartered Trading StandardsInstitute), CIEH (Chartered Institute of EnvironmentalHealth), Prevent, PCC Association, Public SpaceProtection Orders and Licensing to name a few.
The Board has been asked to joint committee todiscuss children and young people’s mental healthand wellbeing wo work across areas.
I would like to thank the staff in the Lib Dem office atthe LGA for all their support and my colleague on theBoard, Cllr Jeremy Hilton, who has provided supportthroughout the past two years and finally to the LibDem councillors for electing me to the post.
Safer and StrongerCommunities BoardCouncillor Anita Lower
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It has been another busy for the LGA Fire ServicesManagement Committee (FSMC) and FireCommission for 2018/2019. During this year we:
● Lobbied against Police and CrimeCommissioners ‘taking over’ Fire and RescueAuthorities, including supporting affected fireservices with professional advice.
● Responded to the Grenfell Tower tragedy,including through the Hackitt Review. Havingmade the impact of the recommendations on fireand rescue services clear, we have lobbied fornational investment.
● Created a new Senior Sector Group with theHome Office, in order to respond to the FireSpending Review.
● Hundreds of councillors, including an active LibDem Group, attended the LGA Fire Conferencein Brighton.
● I have sent occasional E-Bulletins and publisheda Lib Dem Voice article on fire services issues,to our fire spokespeople and fire authoritymembers. This included advice on how to turnfire service issues into local and nationalcampaigns.
If you would like to receive a copy of thebulletin next year please send me a message.
We have started work to draft new LiberalDemocrat ideas and policies for Fire andRescue services. We will continue to work onthis as a fire services team in advance of the2020 LGA Fire Conference in Blackpool,where Baroness Kath Pinnock, as our localgovernment, communities and firespokesperson, will speak.
As we approach 2020, our priorities at theLGA will focus on implementation following thenational reviews of fire safety and regulations,governance, workforce, collaboration,procurement and funding. I would welcomeany input or questions on these priorities thatcouncillors have.
I would like to thank all those that have beeninvolved with fire services issues this year. Inparticular thanks goes to the Lib Demmembers of the Fire Commission.
Fire Services
Councillor Keith Aspden
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I would like to start by thank Cllr Paul Crossleyand Cllr Ben Dowling for their support on theBoard this year. It is much appreciated.
Also, many thanks to Terry, Rob and Amy fortheir support and ideas over the past 12-months.
There has been somewhat of a state of hiatusover the work of the Board over the past year,Government has been pre-occupied withBrexit which has meant several anticipatedannouncements have not been forthcoming.
There has also been frustrations with Boarddates being moved and the feeling that theagenda is not moving forward.
The City Regions Board has worked on thefollowing priorities:
Skills and Employment: Jointly with the Peopleand Places Board, work has taken place topropose a devolved solution for skills andemployment. Work Local will be re-launchedat the LGA Conference.
Industrial Strategy: Lobbying work took place toensure that all areas will be invited to agree aLocal Industrial Strategy and ensure access to theUK Shared Prosperity Fund. Additionally, the worktook place around the Government’s review ofLEP Boards.
Urban Leadership: It was agreed by the Board towork with other groups with similar aims in order tospeak with one voice. This included Core Cities,Key Cities, SIGOMA and London Councils.
Fiscal Devolution: WPI have been commissionedto look at the case for fiscal devolution and fundingpressures in urban areas. Surveying and roundtable research has taken place.
As members of the Board, we have sought toensure that the work of the Board focuses on itsbenefit to citizens in urban areas. It is not enoughto have a strategy on paper without it looking athow it improves the lives of people we represent.
Looking forward to 2019-20 we have requestedthat climate change is looked at in an urban area,particularly focusing on the impact that density,travel and deprivation has on working towardscarbon neutrality.
Additionally, we have suggested that it is importantthe City Regions board continues to understandhow issues can be concentrated in urban areasand inadequate funding can compound the impact.
Homelessness and pressures on social carebudgets are examples of this.
This is my last report for the LGA Lib Dems. Iwould like to thank colleagues for an interestingand insightful time while I have served on the LGA.
City Regions Board
Councillor Abi Bell
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The Lib Dem group on the People and Places Boardhave only 2 members since the 2017 elections butsince the 2019 elections this will now be 3!
Cllr Sarah Osbourne – formerly of Lewes Districtand also now East Sussex County Council– hascontinued to work on rural transport issuesespecially around home to school transport for 16-18-year olds.
She also represents us on the Rural DigitalConnectivity working group. We continue to makeour voices heard in a sea of blue but which has aremarkable amount of consensus. Several of thelong-term members of the Board are now no longerCouncillors and July will see a change of personnel.The Chair is also standing down.
Our meetings with our rural representatives inParliament, Tim Farron MP and Baroness CathyBakewell, have continued and now with AlistairCarmichael, MP as he took up the rural role. We hadw phone in and then a meeting at Springconference. These were very productive and weengaged support to help recruit candidates in theDistrict elections.
Major issues for the Board continue to be:
● Broadband and mobile phone signal● Brexit and its impact on the rural economy.● Food, farming and the Environment and a
green rural Brexit. Post Brexit EnglandCommission report. This will be presented atthe LGA Conference this July.
● Shrinking Rural transport● Skills and employment
Your Lib Dem People and Places Boardmembers are working to raise the groups profileand engaging with rural Councillors andCampaigners. We have posted several items onLib Dem Campaigners and ALDC’s Facebook toget some feedback on items going to the Board.Examples below.
This will be even more important now that we haveso many more rural Councillors across the country.We continue to need thoughts from ourCouncillors. I am hoping that a Rural Fringe willraise our LGA profile further.
Other work. Both Sarah and I have worked asPeers with rural and Non-Metropolitan Councilsboth to learn and gather good ideas and to supportLib Dem Groups across England. I have also anactive member of the ALDC Managementcommittee.
I have continually argued for rural campaigns andhave fed into a rural Housing needs survey forrural Campaigners and Councillors. I continue tomentor at Kickstart so that we have as manyCouncillors elected as possible. This allcompliments the People and Places role.
People andPlaces Board
Councillor Heather Kidd
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Change of ControlThe highlight is supporting Liberal DemocratGroups as they move from opposition to runninglocal councils. As I write this report, the finishingtouches are being made to packages of Changeof Control support across the country.
This year, we identified many more councilswhere there could be a change of circumstanceas we euphemistically describe ‘winningelections’. The team of ‘connectors’, whose jobit was to make that essential early contact withGroup Leaders, worked overtime in the fewdays as results were declared.
The headlines rightly proclaim the success ofwinning back over 700 council seats and takingmajority control of 12 new councils. But there ismore….councils where we are now in aPartnership Administration and we hold theLeader of the Council or Deputy Leader.
I want to thank the ‘connectors’ who, along withme and Regional Lead Peers Cllr Lisa Smartand Cllr Sarah Butikofer, did such invaluablework – Cllr Howard Sykes, Cllr Ruth Dombey,Cllr Heather Kidd, Cllr Adam Paynter, Cllr LucyNethsingha, Cllr Richard Kemp along with CllrTim Pickstone, Richard Cole and ALDCcolleagues.
In total, we have organised or offered Change ofControl support, or given advice and support to 65Liberal Democrat council groups arising from theirelection results. We have helped many new Leadersnavigate partnership agreements with other Groupsto form an administration.
Utilising the Liberal Democrat Peer Pool, we havematched experience to where it is needed. I amgrateful to all colleagues for their help and supportthroughout the year.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the support of theLGA Principal Advisors nationally who haveresponded quickly and positively to Change ofControl issues.
Help and Support throughout the YearWe have three members of the team: Cllr AlanConnett, National Lead Member Peer, (DevonCounty Council & Teignbridge District Council), andregional lead members Cllr Sarah Butikofer, NorfolkCounty Council & North Norfolk District Council), andCllr Lisa Smart (Stockport Metropolitan BoroughCouncil).Support is available ranging from help when takingcontrol, to an event to look at a particular issue orfuture planning, along with general advice and toshare a problem.
Please turn over…
Liberal Democrat RetainedPeers ReportCouncillor Alan Connett
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LGA leadership offerLiberal Democrat councillors are under-representedwhen it comes to attending many of the LGAHighlighting Leadership courses and events such asthe Leadership Academy and LeadershipEssentials. Many of the programmes are free tobook and are excellent value whether in control oropposition.To see what’s available, look at the LGA website orcontact the Liberal Democrat Group Office.
Support for ALDC & Party ConferenceWe have again worked closely with ALDC to supportthe training and development events for councillors.The team, along with LGA Group Leader HowardSykes, have also led formal training sessions at Partyconference and ALDC’s popular Kickstartprogrammes.
Member Peer PoolWe have recruited additional councillors to join theLiberal Democrat Member Peers team. Theyundertake assignments supporting council groups, orworking with LGA officers on particular programmes.
We would welcome Expressions of Interestparticularly from women, young councillors andcouncillors with good experience in planning, adultand children’s services, finance and housing.
If you would like to know more, contact Cllr AlanConnett ([email protected]) or Amy Haldane,in the LGA Liberal Democrat office([email protected]).
Using the Peer Pool, we have been able to placecolleagues in a number of assignments, Corporate PeerChallenges, Chairing Skills, and dedicated pieces ofwork including Peer Mentoring supporting colleaguesnew to leadership roles on council executives, forexample.
Co-ordinating our workThe Lead Peer team of Alan, Sarah and Lisa co-ordinate their work through scheduled telephonemeetings. They also liaise with ALDC and the link isstrengthened as Alan is also a member of the ALDCManagement Committee.
Contact details:Cllr Alan ConnettE: [email protected]: 0784 301 3705Cllr Sarah ButikoferE: [email protected]: 07968 897235Cllr Lisa SmartE: [email protected]: 07803 892025
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From Cheshire West and Chester (above) to Kirklees (right),Liberal Democrats continued our winning ways this year, andwe celebrated more excellent results in Watford (below).
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) aim is to bethe national voice of District Councils, working withour authorities, partners and government to delivernational growth and prosperity at a scale thatresonates and reflects how local communities livetheir lives.
The DCN have four core themes :1. Stronger Economies2. Better Lives3. Enhancing Quality of Life4. Sustainable Finance and Workforce
Districts must work within a financial framework thatincentivises and rewards local growth, whilstsupporting those areas in greatest need
Over the past 12 months we have had numerouslobbying victories on a number of key issues:
• the removal of negative RSG for 2019-20 with anaverage saving of £380,000 per affected district• no further increase in the new homes bonusbaseline• lifting of HRA cap• introduction of 20% flexibility to increaseplanning fees• seeing the withdrawal of proposals for fundingfor short term supported housing to be delivered toCounty councils
• confirmation of the end of the process (sunsetclause) that forced unitarisation where not allcouncils were in agreement• greater recognition of the district role inprevention and establishing closer partnershipswith PHE and NHS England• engaged with parliamentarians through theAPPG for district councils on LEPs, housing andfinance• successfully called for High Street Funding tobe available only to districts in two tier areas• secured a proportion of the Brexit grant fordistrict councils who were due to receive nothing
In 2018/19 the DCN has delivered:• Our Annual Conference• 3 DCN Assemblies /AGM.• Chief Executives’ conference• Finance seminar on Fair Funding• A joint event with Homes England• A survey on the impact of the Homelessness Reduction Act• A survey on recycling and waste services ahead of government consultation
PublicationsIn 2018/19 we produced 4 high profile reportswhich have received national coverage and havebeen shared with Senior Ministers:
• Transformation in Localities Toolkit - thisreport helps districts to achieve collaborativetransformation.• Delivering the District Difference - a joint reporton the future of local government finance• Tackling Homelessness - our report onhomelessness and rough sleeping based on theresults of our survey of members following theimplementation of the Homelessness ReductionAct (2018)• Shaping Healthy Places; exploring the districtcouncil role in health – our joint report with theLGA using case studies from a number of districtswho have improved the health of their local areas.
Communications, Media• We have introduced a bi-monthly ChiefExecutive newsletter alongside our bi-monthlyChairman’s newsletter which provides an updateon DCN activities• We have seen an 83% increase in mediacoverage since 2017• We have had over 230,000 impressionsthrough our 120 tweets on Twitter.
My thanks to Councillor Bridget Smith who hasserved alongside me as the second LiberalDemocrat leader on the DCN executive this year.
District CouncilsNetwork
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Councillor David Neighbour
The CCN has met six times over the past year, inaddition to the annual conference held inGuildford which included an excellent address byWera Hobhouse MP.
Key activities over the last 12 months include:- Winter Pressures Funding: CCN advocacywith partners across the sector highlighted winterpressures in the health and social care system.This led to the in-year investment of £240m,funding that will be repeated in 2019/20. CCNcouncils will receive 44% of this funding. Social Care Funding: This year, CCN’stargeted advocacy helped the sector secure£410m of additional funding for social care. Roads Investment: Our dedicated advocacyon the funding pressures highlighting plannedreductions in road maintenance helped securein-year investment of £420m for local highways. Negative Revenue Support Grant: Thisyear saw confirmation that Negative RSG wouldbe cancelled. Fairer Funding: CCN has maintained andgrown the momentum on our fair funding reviewcampaign. Our advocacy resulted in the recentconsultation setting out welcome proposals thathave the potential to deliver a much fairerfunding formula for counties.
Social Care Green Paper: Earlier this year CCNpublished its own positioning paper to influence thedevelopment of the long-trailed reforms to social care.The report has been downloaded over 1,150 times andposition CCN as a key stakeholder on the future ofhealth and social care. High-Needs Funding: CCN research highlightedescalating overspends in high-needs educationfunding. In December this helped secure an additional£250m of funding over two years. Business Rates: 12 out of the 15 new 75%business rare retention pilots are in county areas. CCNhas specifically argued that the London pilots shouldbe reduced to the same level as those open tocounties, with the resources reinvested to ensure morecounties benefit. Housing: CCN has become a national stakeholderon housing policy, building on its advocacy on strategicplanning. We launched two research reports andhosted the first national conference dedicated to thestrategic role of county and county unitary authorities inhousing, planning and infrastructure. LEP Review: Following several years of advocacyon the importance of coterminosity of LEP boundaries,the government announced in its LEP review it wouldseek to eliminate overlaps. Reform: CCN continued to shape the nationalnarrative on local government reorganisation.We havesupported Dorset Council, securing their continuingmembership from April 2019 and our advocacy helpedturn the Government’s minded-to decision inBuckinghamshire into a final decision. Devolution: After officially adopting CCN’s call fora more open, transparent and structured approach todevolution through the publication of a ‘commonframework’, the network has continued to make thecase for ambitious devolution deals for counties. CCNhas been engaging government to ensure non-mayoraland combined authorities’ models are considered,while ensuring the integrity of county geographies.
On a sad note, the CCN Group and indeed the wholeof the CCN, were devastated by the untimely death ofCllr Ian Stewart during the year. Ian had been astalwart of the Lib Dem team on the CCN as well as ahighly respected spokesperson for CCN oncommunities and his loss was felt deeply.
This report marks pretty much my last act as the LibDem lead on the CCN and I would like to take thisopportunity to thank the team for their hard work andsupport over the past few years and I wish mysuccessor every success.
County CouncilsNetworkCouncillor Jon Hubbard
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Campaigning opportunities for Liberal DemocratCouncillorsCampaigning is handicapped if Party Policy or Partygovernance do not reflect issues on the ground,especially local government issues. Work I and my LibDem Board colleagues have done since the lastreport:
1. The Independent GroupI have kept the headline from my last report just toremind us of how far we have come. TIG is no moreand Change UK a doubtful successor. At a few hours’notice we were called together last week for a phonebriefing about Chuka Umunna who joined the party anhour or so afterwards. My impression was that thePPC and council group leader had been kept in theloop (unlike previously with South Cambs) and werecontent with the outcome and the process.
2. Other Federal Board mattersThe Federal Board continues to spend a great deal oftime in policing and management. Recently it spentthe best part of two hours in dealing with Lib DemFriends of Palestine.
3. Federal Policy CommitteeThe European manifesto was fabulous. But thecommittee has struggled to understand the importance
of social care. Even in a paper entitled Health andSocial Care, the latter falls off the spectrum inparagraph after paragraph. I kicked off andrepresentations have been made via ALDC and theLGA Lib Dem office. I understand that the messagegot home. Amazing what happens when youthreaten to walk out.
4. ALDC Policy CommitteeColleagues agreed to look at whether there could bea motion on what councils could do at local level indealing with the climate emergency.
Work I am planning to doContinue to work with colleagues in ALDC and onthe Boards to make sure that we do not repeat themistake of thinking that health care is mainly aboutwhat happens in acute hospitals.
What is going well Working with ALDC More relevant conferences
What areas need future improvementRecognition that local government is the key playerrather than having to kick off each time we areoverlooked.
Meetings that have been held with theappropriate Parliamentary SpokespersonI do attend most Federal Board and Federal PolicyCommittee meetings, alongside Terry Stacy who hashas observer status on the Federal Board. I havealso worked on the Transport portfolio holder’spaper on railways.
Party Liason
Councillor Chris White
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The Liberal Democrat Group office provides direct support and advice to Liberal Democratcouncil groups and councillors whilst also acting as the day-to-day voice of the LiberalDemocrats within the LGA.
We currently have three full-time members of staff. Terry Stacy, the head of office, Rob Banksand Amy Haldane. They all have experience as Liberal Democrat Councillors.
We help the Group to achieve its political objectives within the LGA and the party, workingclosely with LGA officers, Liberal Democrat HQ, our parliamentarians in both the House ofCommons and House of Lords and with our colleagues at the Association of Liberal DemocratCouncillors with whom we organise joint events as well as sessions and fringes at both springand autumn party conferences.
In addition to supporting the LGA Liberal Democrat Group we are also the first port of call forLiberal Democrat councillors in relation to a variety of policy, governance or legal issues.
We do weekly joint emails with ALDC to all councillors and ALDC members on a range ofissues, news from the Liberal Democrats, local government news, good practice from councilgroups and councillors, highlight lobbying successes and details of events for councillors andcampaigners. We also use twitter to keep our followers up to date, follow us on@libdemlocalgov.
Terry - [email protected] - Head of the Group Office - Terry isresponsible for the operation of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group. He alsoprovides specific support on housing, welfare, fire and culture.020 7664 3295
Rob – [email protected] – Political Adviser – provides support for:environment; economy and transport; community well-being; and safercommunities.0207 664 3204
Amy – [email protected] – Political Assistant – provides supportfor children and young people; culture tourism and sport in addition toimprovement /peer work.0207 664 3293
The LGA Liberal Democrat Group Office
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Think Global, Act Local – Liberal Democrat LocalAction for our EnvironmentTake a look at some case studies from LiberalDemocrat councils and Liberal Democrat Groups onwhat they are doing to take action on environmentalissues ranging from tackling climate change,reducing plastic waste and improving our localenvironment.
Going for Gold – the South Cambridgeshire StoryHear how the Liberal Democrats turned round theirfortunes in South Cambridgeshire and throughperseverance, hard work and staying focussedswept to an amazing victory in May 2018.
Getting the balance right: a LiberalDemocrat approach to planningHow do we balance competing needs when it comesto planning new homes and developments? TheLiberal Democrat Group have published a booklet onplanning policy, with good practice examples andchallenges for you to consider.
Stand for what you believe in: be a LiberalDemocrat District CouncillorThis guide contains information about how councilswork, the role of a councillor and most importantly,what being a Lib Dem councillor looks like. Insidethe guide, four Lib Dem councillors from differentdistrict councils share why they are Lib Demcouncillors and why it is important to them torepresent their communities.
Publications available on our website include...
www.local.gov.uk/lga-libdem-group/our-publicationsPublished by the Liberal Democrat Group at the Local Government Association, 6th Floor, Local Government House, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ.
Printed by First Colour, 15 Newman St, London, W1T 1PA
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Contact Us
Liberal DemocratGroup OfficeLocal GovernmentAssociation18 Smith SquareLondon SW1P 3HZ
020 7664 3235
www.libdemgroup.lga.gov.uk/
@libdemlocalgov
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