The LGA will be working to secure the future of local services at this autumn’s party conferences.
There is never a dull day in politics, and that has been especially true over the past few months.
The general election in July returned a Labour majority government for the first time in more than 14 years, with an agenda to make Britain a clean energy superpower, kickstart economic growth, break down barriers to opportunity, build an NHS fit for the future, and make our streets safer.
Crucially, we were delighted here at the LGA that many new MPs have come from the local government family and have had first-hand experience of the acute pressures that councils are facing.
Securing the future of our local services will be a top priority. After all, it is councils that hold the local levers to the national challenges facing the Government, whether it is building more affordable homes, reducing homelessness, improving care for adults and children, or boosting inclusive growth.
Among all this change, and with a new government still finding its feet, one thing remains the same: party conference season. Each conference, however, is expected to feel different from years past.
The Conservatives are halfway through a leadership election, with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remaining in post until his successor is chosen.
In contrast, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party will each use their respective conferences as an opportunity to celebrate their electoral successes.
This year, the LGA has organised a series of receptions and debates at all four party conferences.
As first was going to press, the Green Party was meeting in Manchester (6-8 September), with conference celebrating the return of a record four MPs to Parliament following the general election.
At the LGA’s local government reception, co-hosted with the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), attendees heard from: Cllr Marianne Overton MBE, Leader of the LGA’s Independent Group; Carla Denyer MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party; Cllr Johnny Denis, Chair of the Association of Green Party Councillors and Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Leisure at Lewes District Council; and the NALC’s Justin Griggs.
Conference delegates were also invited to attend a panel discussion on ‘How can local government and their partners provide everyone with a good home while also addressing the climate and nature crisis?’. Chaired by Cllr Overton, the panel speakers included: Cllr Caroline Jackson, LGA Independent Group Deputy Leader; and Cllr Diana Moore (Exeter).
In exploring the theme of housing, the panellists discussed the role of councils in creating healthy communities and homes while safeguarding the environment.
The LGA will next travel to Brighton and join the Liberal Democrats at the famous Grand Hotel (14-17 September).
Liberal Democrat local government speakers will feature across a number of debates, seminars, training sessions and roundtables hosted by a variety of partner organisations.
The LGA’s Liberal Democrat Group works closely with the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) to arrange events across the conference agenda.
Sir Keir Starmer and his Cabinet will travel to Liverpool for Labour’s conference (22-25 September). As the host authority, Liverpool City Council has helped facilitate a local government zone, in partnership with the LGA, in the Atlantic Pavilion, just outside the conference secure zone.
Throughout the conference, the LGA will work with partners and stakeholders to arrange multiple fringe events, including with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Association of Labour Councillors.
The last event of the season will be the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. While it will operate in the usual format (speeches, fringes, receptions etc.), there will be the added interest from delegates as the party works towards electing a new leader later this year.
Remaining candidates will be working the conference venue, meeting members and partners, all with the aim of shoring up support for their respective campaigns.
Party conferences are used to recognise months of hard campaigning on the issues that matter to councils across England and Wales. The LGA’s strength of attendance and calibre of events has been acknowledged and valued by its members and partners.
Across each of the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences, beyond its usual suite of events, the LGA has partnered with global procurement and supply chain consultants Efficio to co-host a panel discussion related to procurement and financial stability of councils.
Ongoing financial pressures mean local authorities need to operate more commercially. Panellists across these sessions will discuss how more effective commercial and procurement approaches can deliver on council ambitions, improve outcomes for residents, and ensure long-term financial stability.
In this period of change, party conferences present an opportunity to reset the relationship with political parties and shape their offer to local government and the communities they serve.
All our events will be important in making the case for an empowered local government, particularly in the infancy of a new Parliament.
Liberal Democrat Conference
Brighton, 14-17 September
LGA Liberal Democrat Group and ALDC debate
‘Community energy – powering the future?’
Sunday 15 September, 1pm to 2pm
The Pavilion, Grand Hotel
Speakers include: Pippa Heylings MP, former councillor and chair of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Climate and Environment Advisory Committee
Chair: Cllr Joe Harris, LGA Liberal Democrat Group Leader
LGA Liberal Democrat Group and ALDC local government reception
‘Celebrating our success’
Sunday 15 September, 7.45pm to 9pm
Alexandra Room, Grand Hotel
Speakers include: Cllr Joe Harris, LGA Liberal Democrat Group Leader; Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats; and Cllr Prue Bray MBE, ALDC Management Committee Chair
LGA and Efficio
‘Funding local government – the oncoming storm’
Monday 16 September, 1pm to 2pm
Alexandra Room, Grand Hotel
Speakers include: Helen Morgan MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Communities and Local Government; Cllr Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council; and Scott Collins, Consultant, Efficio
Chair: Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council
Labour Party Conference
Liverpool, 22-25 September
LGA debate
‘Local climate action: delivering clean energy in place’
Sunday 22 September, 3pm to 4pm
Local Government Zone, Atlantic Pavilion
Chair: Cllr Adam Hug, Chair of the LGA’s Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board, and Leader of Westminster City Council
Association of Labour Councillors
annual reception
Sunday 22 September, 8pm to 9.30pm
Hall 2H
Speakers include: Cllr Louise Gittins, LGA Chair
LGA and Efficio
‘Building improved commercial excellence to deliver better outcomes and stronger financial sustainability’
Monday 23 September, 11am to 2pm
Local Government Zone, Atlantic Pavilion
Chair: Cllr Jane Scullion, Vice-Chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, and Leader of Calderdale Council
LGA and National Housing Federation
‘Getting Britain building: the role of councils and housing associations’
Monday 23 September, 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Local Government Zone, Atlantic Pavilion
Chair: Cllr Adam Hug, Chair of the LGA’s Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board, and Leader of Westminster City Council
LGA debate
‘Devolution to support local growth’
Tuesday 24 September, 10.30am to 11.30am (refreshments from 10am)
Local Government Zone, Atlantic Pavilion
Chair: Cllr Louise Gittins, LGA Chair and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council
LGA debate
‘How can we create an effective and sustainable SEND system?’
Tuesday 24 September, 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Local Government Zone, Atlantic Pavilion
Chair: Cllr Louise Gittins, LGA Chair and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council
Conservative Party Conference
Birmingham, 29 September to 2 October
LGA Conservative Group reception
Sunday 29 September, 3.30pm to 5pm
Hall 8b, Birmingham ICC
Speakers include: Cllr Kevin Bentley, LGA Conservative Group Leader and Leader of Essex County Council
LGA Conservative Group debate
‘What the next Conservative government needs to do to let councils facilitate local growth’
Monday 30 September, 3.30pm to 5pm
Sonata, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Birmingham
Speakers include: Steve Collins, Chief Executive, Rent Plus UK; Cllr Abi Brown OBE (Stoke-on-Trent), LGA Conservative Group Deputy Leader; David Simmonds MP, Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Cllr Lord John Fuller OBE (South Norfolk); Cllr Linda Taylor, Vice-Chairman of the LGA’s Local Infrastructure Board and Leader of Cornwall Council
Chairman: Cllr Kevin Bentley, LGA Conservative Group Leader and Leader of Essex County Council
LGA and Efficio
‘Building improved commercial excellence to deliver better outcomes and stronger financial sustainability’
Tuesday 1 October, 3.30pm to 5pm
Andante, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Birmingham
Speakers include: Cllr Abi Brown OBE, LGA Conservative Group Deputy Leader and Member of Stoke-on-Trent City Council; Cllr Jason Cummings, Cabinet Member for Finance, Croydon Borough Council; Scott Collins, Consultant, Efficio
- Find out more about the latest information on the LGA’s events at the party conferences.