The LGA Liberal Democrat Group runs its elections every two years. We pride ourselves on our internal democracy as a group, and all who are Liberal Democrat Councillors on LGA member councils on 30 April this year have a right to stand if they wish.
The timetable is:
- Nominations close (with artwork) – Monday 29 May 2023, 9.00am
- Ballot opens – Friday 9 June 2023, 9.00am with this day to be the target date for ballots to land with people.
- Ballot closes – Tuesday 20 June 2023, 5.00pm
- Results announced by Friday 23 June 2023 by 4.00pm
More information on the work of the LGA is at www.local.gov.uk
Full election regulations and an example of the template you would be asked to sign should your election be successful.
Don’t forget you can upload details of your manifesto, your nomination, the proposer and the seconder to us on the 2023 Elections Nomination Form.
Group Officers
The Lib Dem Group Executive is responsible for directing the Lib Dem Group’s work within the LGA. Within the Executive there will be Group Officers who will comprise the Leader, deputy leader, Chair and Whip. Where urgent decisions are needed, these will be taken by the group officers. The Executive comprises: the group officers plus the policy leads and the leads on fire, rural and urban issues.
Group Leader (also Vice Chair of the LGA)
The Group Leader is the principal representative of local government Liberal Democrats at the LGA. The post-holder is responsible for representing Lib Dem councillors in meetings with the party leader and most senior figures, the LGA group leaders and in the media. The Leader takes the Group’s nomination for Vice Chair of the LGA.
Deputy Leader
The deputy leader stands in for the Leader in his/her absence, but also has a specific role in looking out for future political opportunities or challenges. This includes identifying on key policy issues for the group and coordinating policy influence. The Deputy Leader takes the Group’s nomination for Deputy Chair of the LGA, should one be available, and one of the Group’s nominations to the LGA executive, should any be available. In the event that there are insufficient places on the executive, the Group funds the posts at the level of ordinary member of the LGA executive.
Group Chair
The Chair has responsibility for the monthly meetings of the Group Executive and takes a role in following up outcomes of the meetings.
Group Whip
The Whip works with the spokespeople to ensure they are making use of all opportunities they need to fulfil their role. They also have a role in acting on anymconcerns with attendance, fulfilment of roles or relations within the Group.
Policy Boards
As a board member you would have the chance to become involved in a specific policy area, using your expertise to influence party and LGA policy. You would be expected to attend meetings every two to three months, usually at the LGA offices in London. For a current list of meeting times visit www.local.gov.uk
If you take up the lead member role you will become either the Vice or Deputy Chair on your board and be responsible for leading the group’s work in your area. Each policy lead will draw up an annual plan of what they will aim to achieve that will sit below the overarching strategy of the Group. They are expected to work with the Group to ensure that our policy and actions are coordinated and that we make best use of the opportunities that the government and Party provides.
Board numbers
Exact numbers for each board and committee will be confirmed prior to opening of nominations. We expect to take one Chair of a board or committee.
Boards and areas they have recently covered:
Children and Young People (currently two places)
Safeguarding, early years, education, youth employment.
Community Wellbeing (currently two places)
Social care, health, public health
Culture, Tourism and Sport (currently two places)
Libraries, leisure centres, creative industries, tourism strategies
Environment , Economy, Housing and Transport (currently two places)
Housing strategy, sustainable communities, planning
Improvement and Innovation (currently two places)
Supports local authorities to improve performance.
Resources (currently two places)
Local government finance commission, welfare reform, pay offers - also appoints to the employer side of the National Joint Councils.
Safer Communities (currently two places)
Crime, anti-social behaviour, FGM
There are now also two boards that take a rural and urban perspective on the policy issues in the LGA:
City Regions (currently two places)
Represents all core cities, key cities, London boroughs and members of Special Interest Group of Metropolitan Authorities (SIGOMA).
People and Places (currently three places)
Represents all other areas
All candidates must be members of local authorities covered by the board for which they stand.
Fire Commission and Fire Services Management Committee (FSMC) (currently two places)
Represent all fire authorities around the country
All candidates for Fire Lead and FSMC must be members of fire authorities that are members of the LGA.