September marks the start of the new political year, and I am delighted that, in its first week, we held the first ‘Blue Team’ meeting with our new Shadow Secretary of State, James Cleverly, and his shadow ministerial team.
The ‘Blue Team’ meetings have taken place in opposition and government for more than a decade.
They allow myself, my Deputy Leader Cllr Abi Brown OBE, the Chairman of the Conservative Councillors’ Association, Cllr John Cope, the Chairs of the County Councils Network (CCN) and District Councils’ Network (DCN) – Cllr Tim Oliver and Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen – our group leader on London Councils, Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, and Baroness Teresa O’Neill (representing Peers) to share information, coordinate activity and highlight the key issues facing councils.
Our meeting with James was very useful and set the tone for what I am sure will be a productive relationship.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tim and Sam, as outgoing chairs of the CCN and DCN, for their enormous contribution to the sector. I look forward to welcoming their respective successors, Cllr Matthew Hicks and Cllr Richard Wright, and to working just as closely with them.
In early September, the LGA held an induction meeting for councillors appointed to its governance bodies. Following an informative cross-party session, we held a group meeting that allowed us to get to know each other, and myself, Abi and the group office staff to explain how we can support colleagues in their roles.
A busy first week of September also saw the resignation of Angela Rayner and significant changes to the rest of the team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
As part of the LGA’s cross-party senior politician team, I look forward to meeting with Secretary of State Steve Reed and his new ministers to discuss the key issues facing the sector.
Finally, with party conference fast approaching, I’m looking forward to meeting many colleagues in Manchester next month.