News & Events

Listed below are the national news items and national events.

Helen Lynch, LLG's National Lead for Governance & MO Reports on the Committee on Standards in Public Life seminar on Local Government Standards
Publish date: 13/07/2017
The Committee on Standards in Public Life hosted a seminar on Monday 10 July 2017 to launch their annual report for 2016-17 and forward plan 2017-18. The informative session was well attended by a host of stakeholders from across the public sector. The Committee has identified 4 key areas of activity for 2017-18; MP’s Outside Interests, Local Government Standards, Public Service Providers and the Impact of Social Media. In respect of Local Government Standards, the Committee regularly receives correspondence from the public expressing concern about the issue. The Committee therefore intends to undertake a review of standards during 2017-18. The review will be based around a consultation that will be launched early in 2018 with findings and recommendations to be published later in 2018. I have registered LLG’s interest in taking part in this consultation. As MO & Governance Lead, I will co-ordinate a collective response. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with your views in relation to the standards arrangements. I will invite further comment once the consultation has been launched. Click the header for link to the committee's strategy
Lord Kerslake Stresses the Importance of Local Government Lawyers having the ear of the Chief Executive
Publish date: 04/07/2017
The LLG Stakeholder Event took place on Friday 30th June 2017 at the Caledonian Club and was an enjoyable and insightful examination of the current issues and challenges facing local government.
LLG Sponsor MJ Awards Legal Services Category
Publish date: 20/06/2017
Congratulations to Coventry City Council who won the Legal Services Category at the MJ Awards sponsored by LLG. The event was a splendid occasion celebrating the work of local authorities and well done to the City of Wolverhampton Council for winning the Local Authority of the Year Award. Click for pictures
Secure & Stable? Olwen Dutton Examines the Election Result
Publish date: 09/06/2017
Olwen Dutton, Partner at Anthony Collins examines the impact of the election result on Brexit; Health & Social Care; Education; Housing; New Investment; Local Government, Social Business & Charities and the Key Message.
LLG Legal Training - Survey Winners!
Publish date: 07/06/2017
After the completion of the LLG Legal Training Development Survey the winners have been announced!
London AGM & Garden Party to go ahead following horrific events over the weekend
Publish date: 05/06/2017
The London Branch is saddened and horrified by the events in London over the weekend and send condolences and thoughts to the hundreds of people caught up and effected by the brutality on Saturday. Many of our London members will themselves have spent many happy evenings enjoying the environment of Borough Market and surrounding areas and it is shocking to all of us that such acts occurred. In the spirit of collective resilience and 'London United', the London AGM & Garden Party will proceed as planned on Tuesday 6th June. We hope to see you there.
LLG Legal Training Annual Governance Conference 2017
Publish date: 26/05/2017
LLG Legal Training are delighted to announce that the Annual Governance Conference and exhibition, held in association with LLG, Lawyers in Local Government, will be taking place at the Assembly Rooms in Bath on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 October 2017.
LLG Award Winners in the Litigation Team of the Year 2016 make the shortlist for the Solicitors Journal Awards 2017.
Publish date: 05/05/2017
Hackney’s Criminal Litigation Team has been shortlisted in the 2017 Solicitors Journal Awards to be held on 17th May 2017 and are the only local authority to be shortlisted across 16 categories. The team headed by Pauline Campbell alongside Maneka Singh have beat some stiff competition and are delighted to get this far. LLG knows from its own awards the incredible talent out there and would urge you all to follow their example and nominated your teams for awards across the spectrum.
Lawyers: make the apprenticeship levy work for you!
Publish date: 05/05/2017
Noel Inge explains the apprenticeship levy, outlining the benefits for both employer and apprentice and highlights the things you need to consider including the varying types of apprenticeship; from paralegal to solicitor.
THe LGA issue further guidance on Purdah start date.
Publish date: 21/04/2017
The LGA have clarified their position following initial guidance sent to local authorities regarding Purdah commencing tomorrow. Following enquiries by LLG and others, the LGA have now clearly stated that Purdah commences tomorrow for the Civil Service and not local government however, in consequence, local government will commence a period of "heightened sensitivity" as set out in the local government code governing publicity, despite the timing being prior to the publication of the notice of election as the code applies at all times. Click for further information

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