News & Events

Listed below are the national news items and national events.

The HCLG Committee Call on the Government to take Urgent Action to Enable Councils to Prepare for Brexit
Publish date: 03/04/2019
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has called on the Government to take urgent action to enable local authorities to prepare for the consequences of Brexit. The Committee sets out urgent priorities to improve information sharing and Brexit preparations at a local level together with key policy actions that the Government needs to take in the long term.
Cabinet Office will Reimburse Reasonable Spending by Returning Officers on Contingency Preparations for European Parliament Elections
Publish date: 01/04/2019
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has written to the Electoral Commission to advise it remains the intention for the UK to leave the EU with a deal and not take part in the European Parliamentary Elections in May, but that he can confirm that the Cabinet Office will reimburse reasonable spending by Returning Officers on contingency preparations for European Parliament Elections.
Phillip Horsfield Elected President of LLG at the AGM
Publish date: 01/04/2019
Phillip Horsfield was elected the new President of LLG at our AGM on 30th April. Read all about Philip's leadership plan for his presidential term.
Suki Binjal Highlights Her Term of Office at the LLG AGM
Publish date: 01/04/2019
Suki Binjal handed the Presidency of LLG to Phillip Horsfield at the LLG AGM at the Weekend School 2019 on 30th April in London. Suki looks back on her Presidency and highlights all the work undertaken over the past year.
Directors Report 2019 Now Available
Publish date: 27/03/2019
The Directors Report 2019 is now available to read in the document section of the website with the AGM folder.
LLG Submits New Burdens Statement to the Ministry
Publish date: 27/03/2019
LLG has submitted a third paper to the Ministry, this time on New Burdens. This article sets out the position statement which was considered by the EU Exit Advisory Panel
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!
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.

Blog

22 January 2021

Publish date: 22/01/2021

On the 6^th May 2021, the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) 2020 regulations come to an end.

LLG & ADSO, together with numerous stakeholders, want to see continuing provision for local authorities to conduct meetings virtually. We do not want a situation where meetings from the 7^th May 2021 onwards to have to take place in person. We consider and indeed, the government has indicated, that we will not have returned to a pre-pandemic stage and are likely to remain under tiers for some time yet. But quite aside from the covid compliant difficulties in returning to in person meetings, a real focus here should be on the effective local democratic process, decision making and engagement advantages from the ability to hold virtual meetings. Statistics bear out that public participation in meetings have increased remarkably. There is also the long-term effect to consider; the real probability that the flexibilities afforded will attract a more diverse range of public demographic to stand as councillors. Any provision which enables equality of access, increased democratic participation and effective decision making must be retained.

Recently, the Secretary of State (Robert Jenrick) has said that whilst accepting that the provision has been successful, he has no plans to extend the date as it requires primary legislation and there is no vehicle to do that in time for May. He added that whilst it is not possible at the moment, if there is an opportunity to make it more permanent, he will take it.

LLG & ADSO have recently instructed counsel to examine this issue. We know of at least one local authority which has already received counsel's opinion, and which identifies two regulations which would give the Secretary of State powers to implement virtual meeting provisions. These are s16 Local Government Act 1999 and s15 Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016. The advice also included a view that the Executive or Cabinet will still be able to meet remotely (if permitted under their constitution) as Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 does not apply to the executive and there is no law which requires presence or place.

We will of course disseminate our advice to members when received next week and continue to lobby the government. In the meanwhile, if you have any members you could approach about this issue to generate support direct to Ministers this would be useful. The more noise we can make to bring collective pressure the better.

Best wishes

Helen McGrath

Helen@llg.org.uk