Blog: 05/11/21 - Quentin Baker, LLG President

Yesterday I had the pleasure of welcoming LLG members and corporate partners to our LLG annual Governance conference which was held in Cambridge. This was our first 'in person' event for almost two years and it was a real pleasure for me to greet colleagues and discuss the many pressing issues of the moment.
The hybrid event was a welcome return to what we do best; with insightful speakers and thought-provoking commentary (from Max Caller amongst others), it was a chance to network, learn and once again feel a real (as opposed to virtual) part of the LLG community.

The second day of the conference will be held online on 12^th November and will feature a range of plenary sessions from our experienced speakers. If you missed out, there is still the opportunity to catch up on demand by contacting membership@llg.org.uk and enquiring as to bookings.
In other news, you have no doubt seen the Committee on Standards in Public Life's report regarding standards for MP's. Following on from its 2020 report, "Sanctions in respect of the conduct of Members" (MP's), the Committee examined again standards of conduct in public office following the Greensill scandal. The revisions now put forward include some adjustments to the proposals for new sanctions involving withdrawal of services from MPs, introducing a distinction between sanctions which affect the core functions of a Member and those which don't, and the proposed system for taking decisions on those sanctions.
In the context of Local Government, LLG have consistently advocated strongly for the introduction of effective sanctions at the local level, following the Committee's 'Ethical Review', which concerned ethical standards of councillors in local government and amongst other recommendations, called for additional sanctions to introduced including suspensions of up to 6 months for councillors. It is now three years since the recommendations were made and we're still awaiting a response from the Government. This week Jane Martin, a member of the CPSL, told the MJ:
"It is not good enough that we haven't had a response so far."

We will continue to lobby DLUCH for a response to ensure that there are effective sanctions for the small minority of Councillors who choose not to comply with the basic standards of ethical behaviour.

On the subject of good governance, I'm very excited to mention our new website (which will be ready to launch in December) which will completely change the way in which members will be able to interact with LLG and indeed, your fellow colleagues across England and Wales. I am particularly keen to ensure that you are able to influence the decisions we make in respect of the work we undertake and, are engaged and informed whilst ensuring the Board of directors are accountable to you, the membership. Utilising our new website platform, we will, from January, be publishing Agendas, Board Reports and Minutes of meetings to afford you the opportunity to raise questions or comments prior to the board meeting at which the matter will be discussed. My aim is to both inform and engage you in shaping policy, campaigns and work streams which LLG undertake on a rolling basis, whilst ensuring transparency from your membership company.

Finally, LLG are currently looking to recruit a nominee to sit on the Law Society's Children's sub-committee. This is a really excellent opportunity for anyone working in that field to gain top level access to up-to-date practitioner information and provides high-level networking opportunities with both the public and private sector. If you would like to discuss this position in advance of application, please contact LLG's Head of Public Affairs.

Best Wishes

Quentin Baker

LLG President