Liberal Democrats commit to a stronger voice for councils in Westminster
Our autumn Liberal Democrat gathering in Brighton was a conference to remember!
As one of the newly elected Liberal Democrat MPs, I was delighted to be there. With 72 Lib Dems now occupying the green benches in the Commons, there was a brilliant, positive atmosphere, and a feeling that we will make a real difference.
The conference was also a wonderful chance to catch up with colleagues from across the country.
As someone who was a council leader (at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council) until my election to Parliament, I am determined that the voice of councils will be even stronger in Westminster.
I was pleased to see that the LGA, as ever, played a vital role at our conference in emphasising the importance of local government.
It was great that the LGA Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Joe Harris, gave a keynote speech to conference, reminding the party of the strong track record that Lib Dem councils have on issues such as fighting climate change and innovative practice in social care provision.
I was also pleased that, on the conference floor, Liberal Democrat councillors tabled a couple of crucial amendments.
“As someone who was a council leader, I am determined that the voice of councils will be even stronger in Westminster”
The first was that the policy to fully fund improvements to social care must be met by the Government. The second was on improving access to music for children across the country: again, conference agreed that, should this scheme go ahead, it should be fully funded.
The first LGA fringe debate was titled ‘Community energy – powering the future?’ The panel consisted of my colleague Pippa Heylings MP, former South Cambridgeshire councillor; Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council and a Director of Heart of England Community Energy; and Cllr Steve Mason, of North Yorkshire Council, a Sustainability Adviser.
The meeting explored the many practical, strategic and communication-focused things councils can do to support the development of local community energy schemes.
As well as playing a key role in meeting the UK’s net zero target, Pippa highlighted that supporting the local development of community energy projects has positive impacts on equality, social cohesion and economic opportunity.
In the evening, the LGA’s ever popular Local Government Reception, with speeches by Lib Dem Leader Sir Ed Davey MP and Cllr Joe Harris, celebrated the brilliant results the party had in both the May local elections and July’s general election.
The other LGA fringe meeting was ‘Funding local government – the oncoming storm’. Panellists Helen Morgan MP and Cllr Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, delivered blunt warnings of what councils will face if urgent action is not taken to stabilise finances and protect vital local services.
Chairing the session, Cllr Heather Kidd, of Shropshire Council, noted the 18 councils already relying on exceptional financial support from the Government to balance their books this year.
As the newly appointed Lib Dem Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government, I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Helen Morgan MP, for her hard work – thank you! My previous role was as Lib Dem lead member on the LGA’s Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board, so I know many people within the LGA and look forward to working with you again. I will also be at the LGA’s Annual Conference in Harrogate, from 22-24 October.