At the 2019 autumn party conferences, the LGA supported councillors as they debated the key issues facing local government.
Across the 2019 conferences, we helped deliver a range of events, including debates, roundtables, and receptions. Our councillors debated topics including our proposals for the Queen’s Speech, council finances, adult social care, children’s services, housing, homelessness and climate change, ensuring councils had a strong voice in policy discussions.
The LGA debates
This year we were joined by senior national politicians, policy experts and the business community as we discussed how a new Queen’s Speech could give councils the certainty and powers they need to turn our #CouncilsCan report, which sets out the need for a new localism settlement, into a reality. Our debates were held in partnership with Curtin&Co.
Liberal Democrats, 14-17 September 2019, Bournemouth
#CouncilsCan: why is the Queen’s Speech important for local government?
Monday 16 September, 1.00pm-2.00pm
Hardy Suite, Hermitage Hotel
Speakers: Cllr Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group (chair); Angela Smith MP; Cllr Emily Smith, Leader, Vale of White Horse District Council (invited); Dr Darren G. Lilleker, Associate Professor in Political Communication, Bournemouth University; and Nick Stanton, Joint Chief Executive at Curtin&Co and former Leader of London Borough of Southwark.
Download the full conference programme
Labour, 21–25 September 2019, Brighton
#CouncilsCan: why is the Queen’s Speech important for local government?
Sunday 22 September, 1.00pm–2.30pm
Stanmer Room, Hilton Brighton Metropole
Speakers: Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader of the LGA Labour Group; Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Chair of the LGA Labour Group (chair); Baroness Smith of Basildon, LGA Vice President; Sachin Shah, Head of Local Government at Curtin&Co and former Leader of London Borough of Harrow; and Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist, Institute for Government.
Download the full conference programme
Conservatives, 29 September - 2 October 2019, Manchester
#CouncilsCan: why is the Queen’s Speech important for local government?
Tuesday 1 October, 4.00pm-5.30pm
Exchange 10, Manchester Central
Confirmed speakers include: Cllr James Jamieson, LGA Chairman (chair); Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE, Leader of the LGA Conservative Group; Luke Hall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Government (invited); Emma Norris, Director of Research, Institute for Government; Martin Curtis, Associate Director at Curtin&Co and former Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council
Download the full conference programme
Our Independent Group were at the Plaid Cymru conference (4-5 October in Swansea); and the UKIP conference (20-21 September, Caerleon). They also hosted their own Independent Group conference at 18 Smith Square on 8 November 2019.
