News & Events

Listed below are the national news items and national events.

LLG Brief: Virtual Meetings Call for Evidence - The Future of Local Authority Meeting Provision 23rd June 2021 at 12.00pm
Publish date: 15/06/2021
LLG are delighted to welcome LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson to speak about the LGA's vision for virtual meeting provision, the government's call for evidence and current position, together with the landscape of effective democratic engagement and participation moving forward. Hosted by LLG and joined by John Austin Chair of ADSO; the important relationship between lawyers, democratic services officers and councillors in governance and decision making will be examined through the collective call for virtual meeting provision.
Notice of Yorkshire and Humber Branch Meeting with Option of Break Out Sessions 24th June 2021 at 12.00pm – 1.30pm
Publish date: 15/06/2021
Join the Yorkshire and Humber Branch Meeting to hear from your Branch Officers Kelly Dawson and Rebecca Ware, with guest attendance from LLG’s President Quentin Baker and Head of Public Affairs Helen McGrath to update on all the National News. Also joining will be Trowers and Hamlins and Weightmans to lead on two break-out sessions. Due to pandemic restrictions, this meeting is open to all LLG members regardless of branch membership. Click to read more and to register.
LLG is Delighted to Announce the Appointment of a New Junior National Lead
Publish date: 15/06/2021
Following a competitive recruitment process, LLG are delighted to introduce Cobi Bonani as our new Junior National Lead for LLG. Cobi will work closely with our current Junior Director, Zabina Bi until her retirement at the October AGM, whereupon Cobi will be nominated for appointment as Junior Director. We will also be holding a further election in October for the appointment of another Junior National Lead. Please click to read more about Cobi and her professional journey to this point as we welcome her onboard.
LLG Webinar: Managing the Supervision of Trainees in a Remote Working Environment
Publish date: 09/06/2021
As we move into a world of hybrid working post-pandemic, with time split between office and home, the supervision of trainees needs careful thought and planning if we are to ensure a rich learning environment. So how does a trainee build relationships, soak up knowledge, and gain practical experience in this new world? How do they ask the quick questions when there is no colleague at the next desk? How do you best scrutinise work?
The LLG Grapevine - Week 48 Available Now
Publish date: 07/06/2021
Talking Law in Local Government
LLG Webinar: Statutory Officer Dismissals – Getting the Process Right
Publish date: 28/05/2021
In England, the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001 (as amended by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015) provide additional protection for statutory officers (Heads of Paid Service, Monitoring officers and s151 Officers) against unwarranted political interference in their roles. These give additional protections which must be followed when disciplining or dismissing these officers. This is essential for anyone advising on the process to understand.
Helen McGrath Pays Tribute to Ian Spafford on behalf of LLG
Publish date: 26/05/2021
A tribute to the life and contribution Ian Spafford made to Solicitors in Local Government and LGG Training.
Guidance on Remote Meetings: What next for Local Authorities?
Publish date: 25/05/2021
Many questions have been raised following the High Court judgment in relation to the application for a declaration that current legislation permits remote meetings, which was brought by Hertfordshire County Council, LLG and ADSO. In particular, members have been concerned about the scope of the judgment, and what steps can be taken now that the Flexibility Regulations have come to an end whilst adhering to the restrictions and guidance currently in place due to the pandemic, and moving forward, if the roadmap becomes interrupted. Our 12 page guidance document produced in association with ADSO and David Kitson from Bevan Brittan is designed to help you navigate the options moving forward for your authority.
LLG AWARDS 2021 NOW OPEN- CLOSING DATE FOR NOMINATIONS 4th JUNE 2021
Publish date: 25/05/2021
Given the unprecedent year we have all faced, LLG are delighted to bring you the LLG Awards 2021 which will be held virtually on 15th July 2021 at 6.00pm. This year, the categories have been specifically developed to celebrate your outstanding achievement, resilience, leadership and agility throughout the pandemic, encapsulating the spirit and professionalism of lawyers in local government. The deadline for submissions is 4th June 2021. Best of Luck!
The LLG Grapevine - Week 46 Available Now
Publish date: 24/05/2021
Talking Law in Local Government

Blog

11 June 2021

Publish date: 11/06/2021

Last week, Lord Jonathan Evans, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life reminded us in a blog that, last September, the Committee launched 'Standards Matter 2' – a landscape review examining the strengths and weaknesses of our system of upholding and regulating ethics in public life. The Committee has now published the responses to their public consultation, together with a transcript and summary of their academics' roundtable.

The Committee's intention in starting this review, was to carry out a health check of the effectiveness of standards regulation in England, just as their predecessors did in their 2013 report. The Committee has been looking carefully at the powers and remits of standards regulators, and the breadth and scope of the rules they uphold.

Since the review was launched however, there have been a number of very high profile stories and concerns around the upholding of ethical standards in public life, leading to a number of reviews of particular areas of concern – including the Boardman review on lobbying, the Parliamentary Accounts Committee inquiry into conflicts of interest in light of Greensill, the Treasury Committee's inquiry on lessons learned from Greensill Capital, and the Public Accounts Committee's inquiry on the transparency of the government's commercial functions. Lord Evans said the Committee will look closely at these reports and what they tell us more broadly about the ethics, culture, and practice of public life. The Committee's own report, 'Standards Matter 2', will be published in the autumn.

Continuing on the theme of standards, a petition has been launched by Hannah Cotton entitled "Legislate to enable Councillors to be disqualified or suspended for poor conduct!". It was brought to my attention by the Managing Director of the Local Government Resource Centre. It calls for the government to amend legislation to enable councillors to be disqualified or suspended for breaching relevant codes of conduct. You will be aware that LLG has long advocated for sanctions to give effect to an otherwise toothless code and backed the Committee on Standards in Public Life's recommendations on this two years ago. The petition requires many more signatures to obtain a government response, and a huge number to get it debated in parliament. However, this is not beyond the reach of the local government community. You may wish to consider adding your support.

Best wishes

Helen McGrath, Head of Public Affairs

Dennis Hall, Bulletin Editor