Blog: 22/04/2022 - Helen McGrath, Head of Public Affairs

Changes to the eligibility to hold office are soon to take effect in the form of The Local Government (Disqualification) Bill (a Private Members Bill), supported by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which completed its passage through both Houses on 1st April. Royal Assent is expected within the next week with commencement in late June. Updated guidance is hoped to be published at the same time as commencement. Once law, the Act will disqualify registered sex offenders who do not receive a custodial sentence long enough to trigger the current disqualification criteria.

After commencement, individuals that are made subject to the notification requirements set out in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 or to Sexual Risk Orders will be disqualified from holding elected office or standing for election as councillors, mayors, members of the London Assembly or Mayor of London. The measures however are not retrospective and will not therefore affect the May elections.
Statutory consultation has begun with the Electoral Commission in respect of amending the election rules, with secondary legislation timetabled before the end of July.

In LLG news, our Spring Hybrid Conference is now open for booking with an early bird discount of 20% if you book before Wednesday 27th April 2022. The two-day conference takes place over a split period with day one open for attendance in person or via zoom on 27th May and day two wholly remote on 7th June 2022.

The 27th May in person event takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham set along the scenic River Wear and will also feature the LLG Awards at the dinner in the evening. This year the topics will include the levelling levelling-up agenda, devolution, changes in political administration post the May elections, tackling health inequality, the humanitarian agenda, technology in law and more. Our second day remote event will feature all the expected sector specific topics to keep you updated and informed.

It’s been a long time since we were able to meet up in person and I am delighted we once more have the opportunity to come together. I look forward to seeing many of you once again.