I am looking forward to welcoming 200 Conservative councillors to Bournemouth next week, at the LGA’s annual conference (7-9 July).
I’d encourage all Conservative councillors to get involved with the events being held by our group and, if you see me in passing, please do say hello.
The Social Housing Bill completed its committee stage in the House of Lords last month, and the LGA Conservative Group has ensured the views of our councillors are reflected by our shadow Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government frontbench team.
We have emphasised how important it is for housing revenue accounts to retain 100 per cent of right-to-buy receipts, as opposed to national pooling schemes.
We’re also in support of Baroness O’Neill of Bexley’s amendment to the bill to ensure that those who are not British citizens cannot access social housing.
“It is important for housing revenue accounts to retain 100 per cent of right-to-buy receipts”
Arising from feedback given to us by the Conservative Group on Rushmoor Borough Council around ‘escheat land’ (ownerless land in Crown Estate control) and some of the issues around lack of grounds maintenance on that land, I am pleased to confirm that the Law Commission will soon be starting a consultation on transferring this land to other public bodies, and the LGA will provide a response to that. If any groups have evidence they would like including, please pass it on to the LGA Conservative Group Office (lgaconservatives@local.gov.uk).
Other than the brilliant by-election successes for the Conservative local government team last month, there was one more election of consequence, and that was in Makerfield, with the election of Andy Burnham.
Clearly, we know there is a chance Mr Burnham may be Prime Minister by October conference season. The new Government will need to come clean very quickly to the sector on its intentions for local government reorganisation (LGR).
Simply, our councils can’t keep throwing public money down the drain preparing for LGR just for another government U-turn!
- For more information about the LGA’s political groups, see the LGA website.