News & Events

Listed below are the national news items and national events.

Weekend School Interactive Brochure - Launched!
Publish date: 15/03/2019
See the interactive brochure for Weekend School 2019
Next CEO Webinar announced - 20th March 2019
Publish date: 07/03/2019
The March free CEO webinar has now been announced - register your interest now!
Deborah Evans, LLG's CEO chats about this year's Weekend School
Event date: 30/03/2019
Annual General Meeting of Lawyers in Local Government - 30th March 2019
Publish date: 04/03/2019
Notice for Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Annual General Meeting - 30th March 2019
LLG Submits Statement to the Ministry on Vulnerability, Duties & Responsibilities in the Event of a No Deal Brexit
Publish date: 22/02/2019
LLG has submitted a Position Statement to the Ministry on the main duties and responsibilities held towards vulnerable persons, together with an examination of the effect on individuals caused by a no deal Brexit. The Statement was produced following a direct request from the Ministry flowing from LLG's Brexit Statement submitted in January.
Meet Helen Edwards- Candidate for Deputy Vice President of LLG
Publish date: 22/02/2019
Helen Edwards, Chief Legal Officer for Norfolk County Council sets out her experience and reasons for standing as Deputy Vice President of LLG.
LLG Weekend School 2019
Event date: 28/03/2019
Be a part of this annual conference, engage with local government thought leaders and legal experts, join in the discussion and knowledge sharing with colleagues from all areas of local government law.
DFT Makes Recommendations within Consultation to Provide Greater Consistency in Licensing Following Input from LLG
Publish date: 12/02/2019
The DFT launched a consultation today on statutory guidance for taxi and PHV licensing authorities. The consultation is seeking views on proposed statutory guidance to taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing authorities on how to use their licensing powers to protect children and vulnerable adults. LLG previously inputted and made recommendations on the assessment of convictions and greater consistency in licensing together with the Institute of Licensing, the National Association of Licensing Enforcement Officers and the LGA. The DFT has now picked up those recommendations within Annexe A of the Consultation in their entirety.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life Review on Local Government Ethical Standards Released today.
Publish date: 30/01/2019
The 20th report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, on the subject of ethical standards in local government released its review today. The report identifies some specific areas of concern noting a minority of councillors who engage in bullying or harassment, or other highly disruptive behaviour, and a small number of parish councils giving rise to a disproportionate number of complaints about poor behaviour. The report also identifies a number of risks in the sector: the current rules around conflicts of interest, gifts, and hospitality are commented on as inadequate; and the increased complexity of local government decision-making has been found to place governance under strain.
Guidance from Government to Assist Local Authority Preparedness for Exiting the European Union (EU).
Publish date: 28/01/2019
Guidance just out from the Government covering; Statutory services, Regulatory services, Border areas, Supply chains, Data handling, Local partnership working, Communications, Regional and local growth, EU Funding

Blog

15 March 2019

Publish date: 15/03/2019

Deal or No Deal?

Unlike Edmond's game show with 22 boxes to navigate, we are now facing a metaphorical 27 with no banker to offer a risk-free way out. Following the governments successful motion to extend the BREXIT deadline, how the EU will respond to our request is unknown. Arguably you may think its in everybody's main interest to acquiesce, but not everyone may think so. Certainly, the President of the European Council made it clear that "the EU will expect a credible justification for a possible extension and its duration". So where does this leave us?

If we do not get an extension, we are back to a very real outcome of a no deal BREXIT on the 29^thMarch. Next week the Government will meet again to vote on the withdrawal agreement but from the last vote, there are still 149 votes standing in the way and the backstop hasn't been altered. If we get the extension, we buy some breathing space from a no deal on the 29^th March. The Government appeared clear in their motion that this would be a one-off extension and explicitly stated so; the implication being we would know exactly what was happening by 30^th June. The difficulty arises however, in the second part of the motion which states that any further extension would 'probably' require the UK to take part in the EU elections. For local authorities who have already raised the prospect of holding elections, at what point will the government advise preparations should take place if at all?

The next EU elections are scheduled sometime between 23^rd and 26^th May and crucially those elected will meet for the first time on 2^nd July. This appears to be the date by which many commentators are identifying as a critical point. Jean-Claude Juncker has stated if the UK is still part of the EU at the end of May "it will be legally required to hold these elections, in line with the rights and obligations of all Member States as set out in the Treaties". German Bundestag's Europe Department has suggested the Commission could commence treaty infringement proceedings if elections don't take place.

Before the votes took place yesterday, the government published a short briefing paper entitled Parameters of Extending Article 50. This sets out quite nicely the considerations of an extension alongside EU election participation.

If you want to hear the voice of the Ministry or benefit from our bespoke BREXIT Panel, there is still time to book onto our Weekend School. Bookings close today so if you want to reserve the conference or simply attend one day please click here and follow the links.

Best wishes

Helen McGrath

Head of Public Affairs

Helen@llg.org.uk