News & Events

Listed below are the national news items and national events.

LLG Consider The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman's Report on Complaints
Publish date: 04/12/2018
It goes without saying that complaints are but a partial picture, and we mustn’t lose sight of all the good work that is done day in, day out in our communities. Nevertheless, the instability that comes with wholesale transformation of local government services has come at a price, with the LGSCO painting a picture of unintended consequences of ill-informed decision making that should not be ignored. Crucial to a more positive future is the elevation and strengthening of the arm of the Monitoring Officer, who is ideally placed to ensure that restructure and service redesign is legal, ethical, and properly communicated. Good governance and strong scrutiny is everything.
LLG Vacancies! Raise Your Profile and Champion the Profession
Publish date: 02/12/2018
Interested in becoming the next LLG Deputy Vice President? The LLG Board, which meets 4 times a year, is currently interested in hearing from members who would like to be considered for the position of Deputy Vice President; taking up the post at our AGM at the end of March 2019. This is a Director position that provides the post holder with the opportunity to drive strategy and policy formation within LLG, and will afford the opportunity to gain board level experience, shape our campaigns, contribute to training and development initiatives, and make a positive contribution to the world of local authority law. Your employer will benefit from the widening of your network and the sharing of strategy development, experience and practice at the top level. If you are passionate about the role of the lawyer in a local authority, be a part of our future!
LLG President Attends the Local Authorities Solicitors Bar Association in Ireland
Publish date: 02/12/2018
LLG has, over many years, retained strong links with both Ireland's and Scotland's membership bodies for lawyers working in local government. These are important relationships to retain and promote and LLG's President, Suki Binjal, was delighted to attend Ireland's Local Authorities Solicitors Bar Association (LASBA) annual conference in Dublin.
Bevan Brittan Examines How Local Authorities Should Capture New Local Safeguarding Arrangements?
Publish date: 29/11/2018
There have been significant changes to safeguarding legislation recently, but it's fair to say that the impact of the changes has probably not yet been felt. However, the deadline for publishing the new arrangements – 29 June 2019 - is now only six months away.
Join LLG at their free 45 minute Webinar on 4th December 2018 at 1pm
Publish date: 28/11/2018
LLG’s free CEO Brief webinar provides an essential update on current issues in the local authority legal world. We look at trends in local government; legal reform; recent cases of interest; Brexit; news from the Ministry, the LGA and the Ombudsman; thinking around policy including Government consultations; and an overview of what’s in the press. December’s webinar will include a ten-minute legal update from Anthony Collins Solicitors. So, grab a cup of coffee at your desk, or get your team together with a sandwich, and enjoy the latest webinar from LLG.
Photos of the LLG Awards 2018 Released!
Publish date: 16/11/2018
Photos of the Winners and Guests now available to view!
Winners and Placements Announced at the LLG Awards 2018
Publish date: 13/11/2018
The LLG Awards 2018 took place on 9th November at the Waldorf Hotel, London. The evening was a joyous celebration of local government law and practice. Click for Winners and placements and watch this space for photos!
Simon Goacher raises over £6000 for the UK Sepsis Trust, a Charity Very Close to his Heart
Publish date: 25/10/2018
Undertaking the Birmingham Half Marathon in memory and honour of his partner, Sam; Simon Goacher of Weightmans, corporate partner of LLG, speaks openly about the devastating impact sepsis has had upon his life.
Judith Barnes Braves the Shave for Macmillian Charity
Publish date: 25/10/2018
Judith Barnes, our corporate partner from Bevan Brittan has braved the shave to raise money for Macmillian Cancer Charity in honour of her mother and a close colleague and friend. Click to see the amazing before and after photos and a link to donate. LLG congratulates Macmillian for their amazing work and salutes Judith for such a selfless act of kindness.
Knowledge Management Software House Iken to sponsor LLG Awards 2018
Publish date: 25/10/2018
Iken will sponsor this year’s Lawyers in Local Government Awards, to take place in London on 9 November 2018. Iken provides the knowledge management platform that brings everyone and everything together to enable teams to work more effectively. Iken’s market-leading case management platform is used by in-house teams across the UK Public Sector, incorporating a breadth of functionality from management information and process management to time recording and document bundling.

Blog

15 February 2019

Publish date: 18/02/2019

The Local Government Information Unit published the '2019 State of Local Government Finance Survey'

this week with most council's responding that council tax increases would be inevitable alongside continual reductions in service provision. More than half those surveyed will need to utilise reserves to provide services and 1 in 20 indicated raised concerns about their ability to even meet core function provision. With most council's yearly budget release indicating a need to divert funding to support adult social care provision and identifying equality impacts on a wide-ranging class of people, the challenge continues to find ways to support the delivery of key, vital community provision. No surprise then that 4 out of 5 council's are investing in commercial developments. For those of you interested in the governance of local authority interests in companies, LLG have published model codes of guidance which members can access here

Moving from one challenge to another, Brexit continues to raise major concerns following the Commons defeat of the motion to endorse the governments negotiating strategy. LLG are continuing at pace to raise concerns and flag key areas with the Ministry, especially with the potential for a 'no deal' exit still looming on the horizon. We are currently examining the impact on vulnerable groups and emergency planning which we want the Ministry to provide further guidance and direction on. The Ministry have produced the 'Local Government Brexit Preparedness' guidance which operates by numerous hyperlinks within various fields such as regulatory and communities. It is not easily navigated to obtain quick answers and indeed requires extrapolation to identify vulnerable persons who might be affected by Brexit. LLG will keep you updated on this critical piece of work as it develops.

Bookings for the Weekend School are flooding in now so if you want to ensure you secure a place you need to act quickly. There are numerous different ways to attend and take part including day passes and non-residential attendance. With high profile speakers and a bespoke programme for Junior lawyers at low cost, this year's WES has something for everyone. To view the programme and to book click here https://www.llglegaltraining.org.uk/