Labour Local Government Association Conference 2024: Day 2

 

Picture collage from yesterday evening and day 2 of the Conference held in Warwick. Labour is now the largest political party in UK local government. 

There was a number of workshops, formal speeches and panel debates. It was informative and interesting. A great but rarely found combination in municipal politics! 

Powerful speech by our deputy Labour Party leader, Angela Rayner, stressing that Labour will fund councils on the need of its residents not on the politics of its governing party. Unlike this Tory Government. 

Former Council leader and now MP Jim McMahon pointed out that local government had lost 900,000 workers since 2010 due to cuts but central government had gained 900,000 workers. A massive centralisation of power and resources. 

I asked a question of Shadow Social Care Minister, Andrew Gwynne about the role of local government in the future "fair pay" (sectorial bargaining) of the care sector by the Labour "New Deal for Working Families". All of the panel made reference to the importance of making sure that care workers get decent pay and conditions. Andrew made it clear that while "New Deal" was not part of his portfolio (I should have asked Angie) he is sure that local government will play an important role. Which makes sense to me. 

It was also an opportunity this weekend to share with the many unison members presence an early celebration of "Love Unions" week (starts tomorrow 12 Feb)

UNISON LGPS Seminar - date change now January 10th 2018 UNISON Centre (& London CIV meeting)

(I will be chairing this meeting again. London UNISON LGPS will also be meeting on Monday 11 December in order to attend the public meeting of London CIV at London Councils building. We will have pre-meeting at venue nearby beforehand. Details to follow)

"We have had to change the date for the seminar - but on the plus side we can confirm Jim McMahon Shadow LGPS Minister will be speaking

National Seminar: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Wednesday 10th of January 2018 - 10.30am to 4.30pm

UNISON Centre – 130 Euston Road, London

The union’s Capital Stewardship Programme is holding a seminar for all LGPS Board members, regions and branches on the governance and economics of the LGPS. There are major reforms being implemented England, Wales and Scotland and these will be discussed across

The union has began a major organising campaign to discuss how best regions and branches can win seats on the LGPS pools.

Outside speakers have been invited from Labour’s Shadow LGPS Minister, the LGA, and DCLG

Preliminary agenda

Labour and the LGPS
The Scheme Advisory Boards - progress
Valuations, cost sharing and the 50/50 scheme
LGPS Cost Transparency – why costs matter to you
LGPS Pooling – how do we win representation
Carbon disinvestment and a just transition – how to campaign

Please contact me if you wish to reserve a place c.meech@unison.co.uk (UNISON LGPS activists only)

Best wishes

Colin Meech, National Officer, Capital Stewardship Programme"