LGA Liberal Democrats Group
The Liberal Democrats have over 4,400 councillors across England and Wales. Consequently, our Group at the LGA plays a major role in the organisation. We are the persistent defenders of local democracy, arguing that what a local community can do for itself is best left to that community, without interference from central government.
You can find more information about the Group by viewing the "About us" section to the left.
Crime and Community Safety
The LGA Lib Dem Group is holding a one day coference for portfolio holders and other councillors with an interest in crime and community safety issues on Friday 28th November. Guest Speaker is Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne MP. Agenda details and a booking form can be downloaded here, and you can also reserve a place by emailing libdem@lga.gov.uk
A map showing how to get to Smith Square can be found here.
Environment and Transport
The LGA Lib Dem Group held a one day conference on Environment and Transport issues on Thursday 13th November 2008 with Norman Baker MP and Steve Webb MP.
As an example of what was discussed, a scan of the presentation from Lib Dem Portsmouth City Council on their 20 MPH speed limit in residential areas can be found here.
Health and Social Care
Norman Lamb MP, Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Health, spoke at the LGA Lib Dem Group Social Care seminar on Friday 31st October at Local Government House, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ.
Faith communities working together
Lib Dem Councillor Fiyaz Mughal has recently been appointed Advisor to the Leader of the Lib Dems, Nick Clegg MP, on issues that include faith communities working together and tackling extremism. As part of this role he is asking Lib Dem councillors for their views on this issue. Your thoughts would be appreciated. You can get hold of a copy of his letter by clicking on this link.
Councils and the Credit Crunch
Vince Cable MP, Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, was the guest speaker, along with finance portfolio holders from around the country at the Lib Dem Group one day conference on this very important conference on October 3rd. Thanks to all who attended and spoke.
More information on local authorities and those who had deposits in Icelandic bank accounts can be found at the main LGA website - http://www.lga.gov.uk
Sustainable Communities Act
A leaflet promoting the Sustainable Communities Act can be found here, and a letter and draft motions on the Act from Cllr Richard Kemp, LGA Lib Dem Group Leader, can be found here.
Communities Actually - new for September 2008
The LGA Lib Dem Group has issued a study of communitiy politics in action, with examples from Lib Dem Councils and Councillors across the country, called Communities Actually. You can order printed copies by emailing libdem@lga.gov.uk with details of your postal address.
The first book in the series, Power Actually, is now out of print but can be found on-line at http://www.poweractually.com/power-actually.pdf
The Local Parliament
The LGA Lib Dem Group and the Leadership Centre for Local Government launched a year-long series of discussions and debates at this year's Lib Dem Conference.
More details on how to join an on-line debate will be posted soon, but the briefing note can be downloaded here.
Focus Newsletter - September 2008
The Lib Dem Group's Focus Newsletter (September 2008) is available for downloading here
Briefings
The LGA Lib Dem Group produces a range of briefings.
A briefing note with some useful examples of Environmental Best Practice is available here:Environmental Good Practice from Lib Dem Councils
LGA Liberal Democrats were key sponsors of the Liberal Democrat Setting the Agenda manifesto development conference held at the London School of Economics in January 2008. Briefing notes in distributed at the conference can be found here:
Briefing note No1 for the Setting the Agenda Conference
Briefing note No2 for the Setting the Agenda Conference
The briefing on the Housing and Regeneration Bill can be found here:
LGA Lib Dem Briefing on Housing and Regeneration Bill (PDF, 2 pages, 76KB)
A draft motion on the Local Transport Bill can be found here:
Draft Motion on the Transport Bill (PDF, 1 page, 19KB)
Specialist Conferences 2008 and February 2009
We are organising a range of one-day conferences at Local Government House in London in 2008 and the 2 day residential Children and Young People's Conference in Nottingham in February 2009.
A booking form is available here: LGA Lib Dem Group seminars and conferences 2008-09
Calling Future Liberal Democrat Leaders in Local Government
A programme for talented Liberal Democrat Councillors is advertising for a new wave of Lib Dem Councillors to get involved in its work. Details can be found here
Annual Report
The most recent annual report of the Lib Dem Group (2007) is available here.
Local Income Tax
A report we carried out among Liberal Democrat activists into their views on the Liberal Democrat Local Income Tax Policy is available here. A large majority of activists from around the country felt that the party's policy was a vote winner from both Labour and Conservative Groups.
LGA Lib Dem Group Elections
The winners of the July 2007 LGA Liberal Democrat Group elections are attached (PDF, 2 pages, 47KB) . Any queries should be directed to Ed Fordham on 020 7664 3295. Please note that the elections have validity until August 2009.
Many thanks and congratulations to all the candidates and to all those who particpated in the voting - we are especially pleased to have opened up the franchise to all Liberal Democrat councillors whose authority is in LGA membership.
Election results 2007 (PDF, 2 pages, 47KB)
LGA Liberal Democrat group elections 2007 in full (PDF, 7 pages, 49KB)