Following last month’s local elections, the Conservative Group will remain a dominant voice in the LGA, ensuring that the case for authentic Conservative principles is woven into policy and lobbying output on behalf of our councils.
The Conservatives remain the second largest party and we will continue to chair two LGA policy committees.
I am delighted that Conservatives have gained control of councils following the elections.
The LGA Conservative Group has been in the process of offering ‘change of control’ support to new Conservative administrations like Westminster and Wandsworth.
“We have been offering ‘change of control’ support to new Conservative administrations”
Indeed, at the time of writing this piece, there is a possibility Conservatives in councils like Enfield, Basildon, Swindon and Birmingham may be in a position of more influence.
We look forward to welcoming many new colleagues to the LGA’s annual conference in Bournemouth in July, where our group will be providing a series of programmes for Conservative councillors in attendance.
Following the publication in May of the ‘mansion tax’ consultation, the Conservative Group will be pushing the LGA hard to adopt a lobbying position of allowing councils more flexibility on the wording of council tax billing statements.
We believe that if ministers are going to force Conservative councils to collect this dreadful tax on behalf of the Government, then our councils should be able to point out it is all being returned to the Treasury.