Blog: 20 May 2022 - Helen McGrath, Head of Public Affairs

It’s been a week already since the LLG Leadership Conference which saw an impressive array of speakers, but for me, the standout was Lord Evans, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. It's rare indeed to come across an individual whom you could happily listen to all day (Dr Jonathan Carr-West from LGIU might just be one), but here we definitely had it; in magnificent, thought provoking, pragmatic glory. We all know it, but it was good to be reminded that ‘The way in which people behave as leaders has an impact on the way in which others behave and helps to create an environment of good ethical practice’. If you would like to listen to what Lord Evans had to say, please contact training@llg.org.uk 

In other news, LLG were delighted to contribute towards the APPG Report on Kinship Care. ‘Lost in the Legal Labyrinth’, not least because of the vital role carers have at such a pivotal moment of a child’s life. A note of thanks here must be given to Sarah Whitworth from np law (Norfolk) for her detailed contribution to our oral evidence session before parliament. Thanks also to the Family Rights Group who enabled the public sector through LLG to have a voice.  

Keeping with parliament, the new ‘Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency’ – Jacob Rees Mogg, has set out 9 benefits that he has identified in the Procurement Bill. Benefits I should add, when compared to the EU procurement scheme – so says he. I'll be covering this in more detail with Dennis Hall in Monday’s grapevine podcast and we will be planning further procurement sessions with National Lead, Kieran McGaughey in due course as the Bill gets further along its passage.
 
Finally, after 3 long years, the LLG Spring Conference (former Weekend School) is back in person (or remote if you prefer). There is still time to book a place and take advantage of the in-person networking opportunities in wonderful Durham.  

I am really looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new one’s at the conference. For those of you who are unable to make it in person, there will be another opportunity further along in the year at the Governance Conference, (around November time), to catch up in person.
 
Best wishes 

Helen McGrath 

Head of Public Affairs