News & Events

Listed below are the national news items and national events.

LLG Press Statement - Black Lives Matter
Publish date: 08/06/2020
LLG's President issues statement of solidarity and commitment to more than words.
Bevan Brittan Podcasts on Public Procurement
Publish date: 04/06/2020
Bevan Brittan have produced three podcasts covering the application of Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note PPN02/20- Supplier Relief due to Covid-19; Extension of contracts under PCR 72 and Accelerated procedures.
LLG Brief: The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure, Listed Buildings and Environmental Impact Assessment) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
Publish date: 01/06/2020
A short brief outlining the amendments brought in by The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure, Listed Buildings and Environmental Impact Assessment) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
PODCAST - The LLG Grapevine - Week Four
Publish date: 01/06/2020
Talking Law in Local Government
LLG Awards 2020 will take place on 2nd July 2020
Publish date: 01/06/2020
LLG are delighted to announce that the virtual awards will take place on 2nd July 2020. More details to follow. In the meanwhile, here is a reminder of all the finalists.
PODCAST - The LLG Grapevine - Week Three
Publish date: 26/05/2020
Talking Law in Local Government
Independent SAGE report on Schools Re-opening
Publish date: 26/05/2020
Independent SAGE committee of leading scientists says conditions have not been met to re-open schools safely on June 1. Draft report reveals new modelling that shows delaying school re-opening by two weeks halves risk to children. Local authorities must establish low levels of infection in community and ability to track, trace, and isolate new infections before re-opening schools. Alternative arrangements for educating children must be considered including summer camps and outdoor schools. Proposals include requisitioning playing fields and facilities of independent schools and football stadiums. Public consultation vital part of process with decision to re-open schools made at local level based on local data. Lack of publicly available local data is ‘critical gap’ in current management of pandemic
Questions and Answers from the COVID-19 Weekly Brief - Week 5 - Financial Management in Uncertain Times
Publish date: 20/05/2020
Your questions are answered on everything from mortgages, the local government pension scheme, redundancy, furloughing and savings and investments.
LLG Brief on The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
Publish date: 17/05/2020
An explanatory brief on the The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
LLG Covid-19 Weekly Brief: Virtual Meeting Software- Zoom, Skype, Teams or GoToMeeting? Questions and Answers
Publish date: 16/05/2020
Questions and Answers from week 6 of the LLG COvid-19 Weekly Brief on Virtual Meeting Software.

Blog

15 January 2021

Publish date: 15/01/2021

The announcement this week that the Law Society governance reforms have passed by electoral ballot was something of a mixed bag for LLG. We have campaigned tirelessly to retain two seats on the council to enable the voice of local government to be represented effectively. We are obviously disappointed at the loss of local government representation, and very much hope this will not lead to a marginalisation of the profession. We will continue to work proactively with the Law Society to raise awareness and representation of the important work our sector undertakes, and to contribute our expertise to governance in which we hold vast leading experience. We were however pleased to note that the resolution to adopt a 12-year limitation on council seat terms was carried. Indeed LLG, recognising the good practice in limiting terms of office in the pursuit of effective governance, limited our own director terms to 9 years in a change to our articles adopted at the last AGM. LLG would urge all local government solicitors to stand for vacancies on the numerous committees within the Law Society to ensure our profession retains a voice and influence. We have much to offer!

In other news, we have been delighted this week to bring you a programme of webinars each day focusing on your well-being. LLG recognise the huge pressures you have been under and the overwhelming set of circumstances we are living under. It is so important to recognise that whether we are conscious of it or not, the current reality will be having an effect. For some this will be mild but for others, it could represent a tipping point. LLG are here to support you. Please do get in contact if you need to chat and we can signpost you to organisations such as lawcare who are trained and experienced to help. You can catch up on our well-being webinars on demand; make the time for you.

Staying on the subject of being connected, we are really excited to be rolling out a yearly programme of National Lead zoom meetings starting with Monitoring Officers and Governance on 21^st January examining the Code of Conduct. Full details of all meetings will be available on the website including how to register but get the dates in your diary now for the year. Each meeting will provide 30 minutes of training followed by Q&A's and an opportunity to move into break out rooms and network with your colleagues. These are informal sessions hosted by LLG and featuring our corporate partners and guest speakers. All meetings will take place on a Thursday between 12.00 and 1.00pm; so grab a sandwich, sit down, connect, learn and feel supported! I look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes

Helen McGrath

Head of Public Affairs

Helen@llg.org.uk