Joanna Killian's address to the LGA Annual Conference on 1 July 2025.
Hello and welcome to the LGA’s Annual Conference 2025.
I want to begin with a special thanks to our host, Liverpool City Council, for providing us with such a warm welcome to this vibrant and strong city.
Liverpool is one of my favourite places, so I’m absolutely delighted to be here.
Conference seems to come around very quickly each year. Especially this one.
It was only nine months ago when we gathered in Harrogate – but what a fantastic conference that was and a huge thank you to everyone who made it such a success.
But so much has changed….here and on the global stage.
One year ago – almost to the day – a new government was formed. There’s been a raft of engagement, multiple consultations and stacks of proposals for us to work through, on your behalf. Always arguing for the importance of local government, as an equal, trusted and intelligent partner to do business with.
We’ve also had local council elections since we last met. Also New regional mayors are in place in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Greater Lincolnshire, Hull & East Yorkshire, North Tyneside and the West of England.
To the mayors and hundreds of new councillors elected in May for the very first time, I welcome you all to the local government family.
Councils, under your strong leadership, continue to navigate many things: new legislation, a spending review, LGR, new finances, Devolution, a reset of funding principles, electoral change, whilst of course, continuing to deliver crucial services – supporting older people, safeguarding children, providing homes and maintaining safe, well-maintained environments, especially our roads, green spaces and high streets. So, thank you.
This conference show cases so much that is successful and points to what more we can do together.
Over the last year, many councils have participated in our excellent sector led support and improvement programmes.
I’m keen to remind everyone of the LGA’s renewed support offer for councils and combined authorities across England.
You all do so much, in partnership with us, to ensure you, and your councils, are on the cutting edge of change and are ready for the challenges and opportunities that face us all.
Our peer led model is so powerful. Our Chair will showcase another brilliant example of this work shortly.
Conference is, of course, one of many opportunities for you to speak to LGA staff – including myself and the rest of the LGA senior leadership team – about our work and support, but especially what more we can do to represent your voices in all we do – whether that’s our support offer, our contribution to public service reform or lobbying for change. We are here for you.
Over the next three days we’ll showcase and debate how you drive innovation, excellence, for your communities, including through the power of collaboration.
We will talk about our work with central government, as well with the voluntary, community and private sectors in our places. We will celebrate the value of local democracy and the great work our councillors do. And also recognise the importance of civility in public life and how intolerable abuse is for councillors in particular.
Without further ado, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council and our host, to the stage.
Liam…