The LLG Grapevine - Week 39 Available Now
Publish date: 29/03/2021Talking Law in Local Government
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Listed below are the national news items and national events.
Talking Law in Local Government
Councils are already actively considering the options the minister has suggested, including looking at alternative larger meeting venues at significant extra cost. The proposal to delegate significant decisions to officers is likely to be viewed as undermining democratic accountability due to the fact that such decisions are not subject to direct member involvement. Given the circumstances authorities find themselves in due to the imminent loss of virtual meeting provision, they now face unpalatable decisions, which include restricting member attendance and a reduction in members roles in decision making, whilst attempting to keep the machinery of local government moving. LLG & ADSO remain fully committed to presenting our case at the High Court Hearing timetabled to be heard before the end of April 2021.
A memorandum has been jointly prepared by Lawyers in Local Government with input from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on exemption for authorisation under Section 15 Legal Services Act 2007. Thanks to the hard work of our President, Quentin Baker and Abdus Choudhury, Deputy Director, Legal and Governance at One source, together with the significant contribution of Fiona Anthony from nplaw, who worked hard to ensure guidance as to the circumstances in which this approach to regulation will be appropriate, we now have some clarity on this historical issue.
Are you a student looking for work experience? interested in working in law in local government’ Lawyers In Local Government are delighted to announce our new national work experience programme. Students will experience first hand the varied day to day life of a lawyer within a local authority.
Doug Rhodes and Stuart Brown of Trowers & Hamlin will be our guest speakers on this weeks webinar and will provide an overview of the timeline leading up to the draft Building Safety Bill and a recap of the key issues included in the bill, including the new regulator, the dutyholder regime and the in-occupation duties arising
ADSO and LLG (along with Hertfordshire County Council) have received permission to expedite our claim for a declaration in the High Court which will provide certainty for local authorities on whether they can continue to hold meetings remotely past the 6th May 2021 deadline, due to the expiry of the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations (No.392).
Talking Law in Local Government
Talking Law in Local Government
Can employers require employees to get vaccinated? How do we manage testing and employees refusing to go to work? Join us at our free webinar on March 3rd 12-1pm.
The CfGS annual survey closes to responses at the end of this week. With a particular section of questions on remote meetings it would be helpful to LLG if you could complete the survey the results of which will be shared with us.