Gearing up for the May elections
While we are still waiting for announcements on contentious levelling up and planning changes, Covid restrictions have been lifted.
group leaders
The big issues that will shape our communities
I hope that all first readers were able to take some time off over the Christmas period, and I would like to wish you a happy new year and all the best for 2022.
Time to fund councils properly
As we begin a new year, it’s natural to think about new beginnings. Could 2022 be the year that the Government stops dithering and finally gets a grip on council funding?
Victory for forgotten rural communities
I sit here writing this column still buzzing from our stunning victory in the North Shropshire by-election. Helen Morgan will make a fantastic MP, and a great voice for ignored rural communities.
A trusted pillar of democracy
We enter 2022 with everything to play for.
Councils are leading the fight on climate change
As COP26 negotiations in Glasgow ended, some promising commitments were made to tackle the climate emergency – so why is our government already going backwards?
Local government’s climate role recognised
Last month, I was privileged to be part of the LGA delegation to COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, alongside our Chairman, Cllr James Jamieson, Cllr David Renard, Chairman of the LGA’s Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board, and colleagues from the other political groups.
Time for action after COP26
Now that the dust has settled on COP26, we turn our attention to the actions we must take following the conference.
The human impact on climate change
Several of our members attended COP26, speaking up effectively inside and outside the arena, demonstrating just how much the human impact on climate change matters.
Making connections at party conference
After last year’s virtual Conservative Party Conference, it was great to meet so many colleagues and friends in Manchester for this year’s event.