It is a true honour to become Chair of the LGA, building on the legacy of my predecessors while setting out our future priorities.
Reflecting on our annual conference in Bournemouth, I was delighted to meet and catch up with so many local government colleagues from across the country, a powerful reminder of our shared purpose to work in the best interests of our residents.
We sometimes describe ourselves as a local government family. And just like a family, when one member is struggling others step in to help, and we look to our strongest family members to lead the way.
The LGA is a vital part of that support system. We are here for you, with the tools, training and expertise to support you and your teams – so please use it.
We will work with you to promote your successes. We will share your ideas and good practice with others. We will help you to be the very best and to provide the very best to your residents.
As LGA Chair, to be able to advocate not just for the residents of Telford and Wrekin – or, indeed, my party – but on behalf of the whole local government family means the world to me, because local government is personal to me, as it is for many of you.
My council provided my parents with their first home, in which I was brought up, and gave me a park to play in as a child. My council was there at the happiest of times as I registered the birth of my son, and the hardest of times when it provided social care to my nan in the final years of her life.
It is local government – not national government – that is responsible for more than 800 services that make a difference to people’s lives, day in, day out.
That’s why I want the LGA to be the best member organisation it can be, and for us to challenge ourselves every day to be even better.