Southern

Welcome to the Southern Region of LLG

We cover local authorities in:

  • East Sussex
  • Kent
  • Surrey
  • West Sussex
  • Bristol
  • Cornwall
  • Dorset
  • Devon
  • Gloucestershire
  • Somerset
  • Wiltshire
  • Berkshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Dorset
  • Gloucestershire
  • Hampshire
  • Isle of Wight
  • Oxfordshire
  • Wiltshire

Here you will find information on what is happening in the Southern area.

To join any of the regions go to "My LLG" hub and "My regions" tab where you can also see the regions that you are a member of. 

Dear All

Please find below an update from the LLG Board meeting on 23 February.

The meeting received the quarter end finance report for 2023 together with the budget update.

Following on from the previous Board meeting in December 2023, the finalised version of the strategic plan for 2024-2027 was shared, which was supported by the Board. The five agreed strategic objectives are as follows:

  • promoting exemplary governance,
  • building a sustainable profession,
  • embracing a truly inclusive community,
  • our voice being front and centre in every debate 
  • encouraging regional engagement.

LLG’s CEO, Deborah Evans, reported progress against these strategic objectives along with an operational update which was welcomed by the Board. The operational update covered further work on the role and responsibilities of the Monitoring Officer following on from the LGIU & Browne Jacobson research paper on the changing role of the MO, guidance published to members within LLG’s position statement on practicing certificates, publication of the Members Planning Code of Good Practice , the launch of Work Experience Week 2024 and LLG’s upcoming LLG Awards.

The Board considered a report about progress with LLG Becoming a professional body.  That’s certainly a lot of work and we have now set up a sub-committee to consider it.

Elections Conference

In view of the upcoming local and Police Commissioner elections, LLG are holding an online elections conference on 1st March 2024. This interactive event will run from 9:30-4pm and you will hear from specialist speakers who delve into the second wave of Election Act changes. Throughout the day you will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share your own experiences.

For more information and for booking information click here 

https://llg.org.uk/book-event/?id=c18d4635-e694-ee11-be37-002248c8ed56

LLG Board update

There will be a vote for next year’s Deputy Vice President and I would encourage you all to exercise your vote to make sure you get the people you want to represent you on LLG.

You are encouraged to attend the LLG AGM which will be held online 12 Noon on 17 April.  It would be good to have as many of our members as possible there.

Kind regards 

Nylah Clarke-Mills 

Executive Assistant Regions

Scheduled Southern regional meetings:

  • 01/03/2024 
  • 10/09/2024

LLG Southern Regional Meeting - Friday 1st March 1pm-2pm

This will be LLG Southern's latest Regional Meeting where we will be joined by Andrew Hirst from our corporate partners Womble Bond Dickinson where Andrew will be discussing Net Zero procurement and contracting.

This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom.

Agenda

Welcome & Regional update from Southern Regional Director  

National Update - Helen McGrath

Training Provision by Womble Bond Dickinson

Questions and Regional Follow up

We look forward to seeing you there.

We are recruiting a Southern Regional Director!

Do you have the strategic vision to lead the company at pace whilst applying creative vision to the provision of membership services? Do you wish to be stimulated and provided with career enhancing opportunities placing you in direct contact with key stakeholders and corporate partners?

Then this is the role for you! LLG are recruiting a Southern Regional Director. The roles are not remunerated but expenses are paid in line with the company expense policy, and you will receive a place at LLG’s two conferences per year (the Spring Conference and the Governance Conference).

Role of Regional Director

The Role of the Regional Director is: -

  • To be the face and ambassador of LLG in your region.
  • To set strategies to grow and account for regional lead groups (old SIG’s and SAA’s)
  • To liaise with Corporate Partners and Stakeholders where necessary.
  • To attend meetings and events (supported by the centre on delivery).
  • To update the Board on regional activity, issues, and themes.
  • To take on director responsibilities and feed into National Strategy.
  • To contribute to the National Graduate Recruitment Campaign and forge links with universities in your region.

Should you wish to be considered as a Regional Director, please submit your CV and set out in no more than two sides of A4 a written application to membership@llg.org.uk demonstrating, with examples where possible, the following:

  • Eligibility (see criteria).
  • Ability to take an interest in and represent LLG members at all levels.
  • Commitment to LLG.
  • Capacity to represent LLG effectively and with impact at all levels (Stakeholders include LGA, LGSCO, CIPFA, SOLACE, ADSO, AEA, RTIP, SRA, The Law Society and Central Government Departments).
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to speak confidently in public and to sector press.
  • Regional Knowledge (relevant to the sector).

 Criteria

1.Must be a full member of Lawyers in Local Government

2.Must be currently actively working within Local Government

3.Must be capable of holding a director position in England and Wales under company law

4.Must have some understanding of the work of LLG and its aims and objectives

5.Should have some understanding of the current challenges facing local government lawyers

6.Strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities

  1. Must live or work in the geographical area for the Regional Director area being applied for.

Applications close on 13th February 2024. 

Regional Communications from LLG's latest Board Meeting

The LLG Board met on Friday, 8th December, in the heart of London, to set the budget for 2024. Finding the right balance between maintaining affordability for our members amidst challenging financial times for councils, and ensuring LLG’s long-term viability to continue delivering the benefits of membership and a strong national voice was a key focus of the discussion.  

The Board adopted LLG’s 2024-2027 strategy and workstreams, emphasising our commitment to promoting exemplary governance, building a sustainable profession, fostering an inclusive and welcoming community, encouraging regional engagement, and using our voice to shape national debate. 

The Board received a paper on elections at LLG and will shortly be announcing exciting opportunities to contribute to LLG’s growth and success. These include positions such as Deputy Vice President, Junior National Lead, and Regional Director for Eastern. If you’re interested in exploring any of these roles, please feel free to contact Helen McGrath, LLG Executive Director of Policy & Governance, for an informal and confidential discussion. Helen@llg.org.uk 

Following the resounding success of our Governance Conference in Sheffield, the Board has voted to bring our Spring Conference to Leeds in 2024. Stay tuned for further announcements regarding the location of our 2024 Governance Conference.  

The Board meeting was held alongside the LLG Juniors Day, which proved to be a tremendous success as it allowed attendees the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals from different stages of their careers. We would like to extend our thanks to Womble Bond Dickinson for hosting both events, especially in such spectacular offices with a view of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.  

From all at LLG we wish you a Merry Christmas and we look forward to reconnecting with you in the new year.  

Jennifer 

Regional director - Southern

Jennifer Phillips - Southern Regional Director 

Contact - jennifer.phillips@cityoflondon.gov.uk