Blog: 25/02/22 - Quentin Baker, LLG President

It’s unusual for me to mention an individual by name in my blog but I’m going to make an exception in the case of Thelma Stober, who has recently been appointed as Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London. Many of you will know Thelma from her role in heading up the legal team at the Local Government Association, but that is just one of her many roles which all share a common thread of making a positive contribution to the community. Thelma will no doubt make a great contribution in this role and she provides inspiration for us all. 

In another break with tradition, I’m going to mention a business organisation, a supermarket, Waitrose, which over recent years has become my weekly barometer of the pandemic and through which I’ve traced its ebb and flow. Starting in 2020 with the shelves stripped of loo roll and pasta, through the months of queuing to get in the shop and face coverings until last Thursday when there was a profound change amongst the aisles with bare faced shoppers! It was quite shock to see human faces once more amongst the shelves….and all due to The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation etc.) (Revocation) (England) Regulations 2022 which came into force, sweeping away the self- isolation and coronavirus restrictions in England. It came one day, and one month short of two years following the Coronavirus Act on 25^th March 2020 (which incidentally took just four days to clear parliament). By November 2021, over 500 regulations had been enacted within the UK. Wales continues to enforce some restrictions with self-isolation due to be reviewed on 3^rd March. 

Seeing the change in Waitrose highlighted to me the extent to which, over the last two years, the public has acted responsibly and embraced the rules.  

Throughout this time, lawyers working in local government have faced huge demands to grapple with last minute, literally, complex statutory instruments; we’ve had to digest them at speed and make sense of them to officers and members and consider the wider impacts.  

LLG itself published a range of guidance and delivered an ambitious virtual training programme. LLG demonstrated its strength in pulling together as a community, we shared best practice and we supported each other. Whilst the new regulations have not swept away coronavirus and we continue to adjust to the new normal we can reflect on the collective achievement of our profession and how each and every one of you rose to the challenge during a time of national crisis.   

Recently of course, the storms impacting the UK will have caused emergency responses by many local authorities due to flooding, hazards and concern for the vulnerable. Indeed, the recent weather is another timely reminder of the urgent need for remote meeting provision. Whilst we have learnt of at least one cancelled budget meeting due to coronavirus, we are also receiving reports of cancelled meetings due to the extreme weather conditions. It’s hard to conceive why urgent provision has not been forthcoming, despite the encouraging murmurs from the Secretary of State. LLG together with ADSO, SLCC, CfGS and NALC have issued a joint statement on a Model Motion for Council Meetings which we are urging authorities to adopt. We are also collating evidence of cancelled meetings where remote provision would have enabled decision making, so please do continue to provide us with your examples.   

Finally, I am pleased to note that sign up to our new website is gaining speed. If you would like to capitalise on our free training and resources, I would encourage you to activate your account to learn about the opportunities available to you as members.  

Could I also remind everyone that its awards season again so why not nominate individuals and teams to our LLG Awards 2022. If ever there has been a time to recognise and reward outstanding professional achievement and commitment, surely now is the time to do it. You can find category information, nomination forms and all the information you require here.   

Best wishes  

Quentin Baker  

LLG President.