Today’s highlights include:
Breakfast sessions
Domestic violence was one of the hot topics over breakfast this morning. In this session Mehboob Khan (Chair, LG Group Safer and Stronger Communities Board) and leaders of community safety gathered early on Wednesday morning. They discussed the serious issue of domestic violence and the need for protecting these services in a climate of public sector cuts.
The true cost of domestic violence
Clegg emphasises his point about business rates
Clegg: councils to get business rates
The Government has confirmed it will allow councils to retain business rates raised locally, as part of its proposals for reforming local government finance.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg made the announcement today (Weds 29 June).
He told delegates a local government finance bill would be published in the current parliamentary session, following a consultation on proposals emanating from the Government’s LG resource review – due out shortly.
“I don’t think localism can work in the long run without giving you greater control over money,” the Deputy Prime Minister told conference.
See our blog entry for more highlights of his speech:
“Give local people as much of a say as possible in the reorganisation of local government”
It’s all very challenging for the final four
The Local Government Challenge plenary session started with a bang, as we watched a short film of the highlights of the series so far. If you’ve not seen any of the films yet, check out:
www.policyreview.tv/lgchallenge.
The Local Government Challenge competition offers staff with the potential to become the leaders of the future the opportunity to develop their skills and experience. The plenary session at the LG Group conference this afternoon is their penultimate challenge!
Local government challenge – the final four
What will the mayoral provision in the Localism Bill mean for accountability, choice and localism?
This timely debate was well-placed in Birmingham, which will be one of the cities required to have a referendum on elected mayors if the Localism Bill is passed.
One of the mayoral hopefuls and former Labour minister, Sion Simon, spoke of his hope that the introduction of elected mayors would bring the opportunity to make real differences in local communities. But this was refuted by Cllr Ian Greenwood, Leader of Bradford City Council, who argued that the debate should be about powers rather than modes of government.
Simon Parker, director of the New Local Government Network, offered some balanced observations to close the session. A wide range of questions and opinions from the floor demonstrating that there is no clear answer on this hot topic.
Elected mayors – are they the future?
Delegates enjoying a smoothie at the launch of LG Inform
Informative smoothies
As part of the launch of LG Inform, George Garlick, Chief Executive of Durham County Council and Councillor Jill Shortland, Somerset County Council, unveiled the prototype of Local Government (LG) Inform. LG Inform is the LG Group’s practical response to the sector’s call for greater freedom to self- regulate and improve. Those who attended the launch were able to enjoy a refreshing fruity smoothie as well as get some experience of using the new free online service.
For the full story see this post:
George Garlick and Jill Shortland at the LG Inform launch
For more reports see:
