The Local Government Association (LGA) is a politically led cross-party organisation, representing local authorities across England and Wales. Its membership includes English councils, fire and rescue authorities, the 22 Welsh councils in corporate membership through the Welsh LGA, National Parks Authorities and Parish/Town Councils via corporate membership with NALC.
The LGA Policy Committees are central to achieving the LGA’s strategic objectives. They are responsible for:
developing a thorough understanding of council priorities in their programme area;
helping to shape the LGA business plan; and
overseeing a programme of work to deliver, through engagement with councils, the strategic priorities set by the LGA Board and Strategic Policy and Oversight Committee.
Each Committee has full responsibility for its designated policy area(s). Committees may hold up to five formal meetings a year. However, more importantly, Committees are encouraged to find their own most effective way of working that ensures active engagement with councils and groups of councils, and not be restricted by a set timetable of formal meetings in London.
Each Committee has a Chair, who also sits on the Strategic Policy and Oversight Committee, and four vice/deputy Chairs drawn from the other four groups. There are currently nine Committees:
Children, Young People and Families
Culture, Tourism and Sport
Fire Services
Health and wellbeing
Neighbourhoods
Inclusive Growth
Local Government Resources
Public Service Reform and Innovation
Safer and Stronger Communities.
Chairs of Policy Committees
To lead the members of the Committee to set the priorities and forward plan in line with the LGA Business Plan, and to oversee its delivery.
To secure the views and active involvement of the wider membership to inform the Committee’s priorities and policy lines.
To direct the work of the Committee in line with the priorities of the LGA taking into account the best use of resources.
In relation to the policy area(s) covered by the Committee, to be the principal representative of the LGA, and of local government as a whole, at meetings with ministers, parliamentarians, partner bodies and other key decision-makers.
To be the principal political spokesperson for the LGA, and for local government as a whole, in relation to those policy areas, including media interviews, writing articles and making speeches at appropriate events.
To communicate to the wider LGA membership the work and successes of the Committee.
To Chair Committee meetings, one-day conferences and other events initiated by the Committee.
To manage relationships with vice/deputy Chairs, and Committee members to secure consensus on the priorities and programme.
To actively manage the roles and responsibilities across the Committee to make best use of the talent and experience of Committee members.
To sit on the Strategic Policy & Oversight Committee and report on the work of the policy Committee.
To attend Councillors’ Forum and present the Chair’s activities report on behalf of the Committee.
To work as appropriate with other LGA Committees, contributing to the wider development of LGA priorities.
To make appointments to outside bodies relevant to the service area.
The Chair may hold the relevant Portfolio in his/her home authority, or have significant experience/knowledge of, and commitment to, the policy area(s) covered by the Committee.
This role will require attendances at meetings in London and in other parts of the country. Reasonable travel and subsistence costs incurred by the Chairs of Committee’s in the discharge of their duties will be paid by the LGA.
Remuneration is set out in the Scheme of Members’ Allowances.
Expected time commitment: 10.5 – 14 hours per week.
Vice/Deputy Chairs of Policy Committees
To work with the Chair and other Committee members to develop the programme plan for the Committee taking into account the availability and need to make best use of resources.
Where appropriate, to deputise for the Chair of the Committee in his/her role as principal representative of the LGA on the policy area(s) covered by the Committee, including undertaking speaking engagements and media work.
To lead/participate in task and finish groups set up to look in more detail at specific areas of policy.
To attend residential conferences and other events initiated by the Committee, leading and chairing sessions as required.
To chair Committee and Lead Member meetings in the absence of the Chair.
To fulfil all other responsibilities of a Committee member, set out below.
To make appointments to outside bodies of relevance to the service area.
Vice-Chairs/Deputy Chairs may be Portfolio Holders for that policy area in their home authorities or have significant experience/knowledge of, and commitment to, the policy area(s) covered by the Committee.
This role will require attendances at meetings in London and in other parts of the country. Travel and subsistence costs incurred in attending Board meetings should be met by the member’s home authority.
Remuneration is set out in the Scheme of Members’ Allowances.
Expected time commitment: 3.5 to seven hours per week
Vice/Deputy Chairs are required to complete a Register of Interest form and to update it annually, or when an individual’s circumstances change.
Policy Committee Member
To actively engage with councils and groupings of councils to secure the views and involvement of the wider membership to inform the Committee priorities and policy lines and act as an advocate for the LGA and its work.
To work with the Chair and Vice/Deputy Chairs to develop the programme plan for the Committee taking into account the availability of and need to make best use of resources.
To attend and actively participate in Committee meetings.
To attend conferences and other events initiated by the Committee.
To read and understand all Committee papers in advance of the meeting, and to keep abreast of all developments locally and nationally in relation to the policy areas covered by the Committee.
Where required, to take responsibility for a specified policy issue or area of work and act as spokesperson.
To take on appointments to outside bodies relevant to the policy area covered by the Committee.
Board members may be Portfolio Holders for that policy area in their home authorities or have experience/knowledge of, and commitment to, the policy area(s) covered by the Board.
This role may require attendance at meetings in London and in other parts of the country. Travel and subsistence costs incurred in attending Committee meetings should be met by the member’s home authority.
Remuneration is set out in the Scheme of Members’ Allowances.
Expected time commitment: up to 3.5 hours per week
Members are required to complete a Register of Interest form and to update it annually, or when an individual’s circumstances change.