conservativehome--2020-11-26--Steve Bell: Conservatives in Brighton and Hove are protecting the bats and the bees

Cllr Steve Bell is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Brighton and Hove Council .
Conservation has always been at the very heart of Conservatism .
Conservatives value cultural traditions and wish to leave them undiminished to our children .
Conservationists value heritage .
While the left look to big government as the decision-makers set to save us from environmental catastrophe , as Conservatives we prefer a local approach over large-scale governmental approaches .
Love of your home , love of your ward , and encouraging that love in your residents .
Conservative Councillors on Brighton & Hove City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action and making progress on our Conservative vision to both protect and improve the ecology of the City .
In a national-first , Cllr Robert Nemeth has ensured that Brighton & Hove City Council includes a requirement for developers to include bee bricks as part of every new development .
Bee bricks form part of the structure of the building like any other building brick but have holes for solitary and hibernating bees .
They are promoted by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds as a way to ensure nature can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work of Cllr Nemeth , bee bricks are now recommended on all major applications and preferred in houses and extensions in Brighton and Hove .
He took two different types of swift brick along to the council ’ s Tourism , Equalities , Communities and Culture Committee at Hove Town Hall in March .
One is a simple plastic box that is built into a wall .
The other uses bricks from the wall so that it blends in and is also warmer .
A swift box is harder to block up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t fill it up .
As long as people are putting up swift boxes and bricks then it ’ s a win for wildlife in the city .
Residents can help this effort by planting bee friendly plants and other ecology in their own gardens .
Following on from our work on bee bricks , Conservatives want to ensure that the Council draw up a wider mandatory list of items for inclusion in new developments that will help protect our local wildlife – such as hedgehog holes , bird feeders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a particularly important indicator of the City ’ s ecology .
As Glenn Norris of the Sussex Wildlife Trust , wrote in the October edition of the Hovarian Magazine , the presence of bats indicate healthy invertebrate-rich habitats .
He said : “ In Hove , bats are most likely to be seen in the few remaining green spaces : Hove Park , Hove Cemetery and Benfield Valley Nature Reserve .
“ The bats found in Hove are probably the aerobatic common pipistrelle and heavy-duty noctule as these bats are tolerant of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adapted to feeding on the moths and insects that have been attracted by the artificial glow .
“ During the day these bats are most likely roosting in the roof voids of buildings , cracks in mortar and under loose tiles .
Pipistrelles are so small they can fit in a hole the size of your thumb.
” Cllr Dawn Barnett , who has been at the forefront of our Conservative Campaign to save Benfield Valley from development , has said that the presence of these bats shows precisely why Benfield Valley needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitively the ecological value of the Valley and why it is so important that Benfield Valley continues to exist as a green wedge in the city .
In Patcham and Hollingbury , our Conservative Councillors have successfully put forward a proposal to plant 8,000 trees next to Carden Park in Brighton in a bid to create a new forest .
The wood , next to Hollingbury Industrial Estate would contain a “ bee bank ” and chalk grassland managed by Brighton and Hove City Council officers .
Cllr Lee Wares , who represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project would result in the largest woodland planted from scratch being undertaken in the city for decades .
The ability to plant so many trees and provide the conditions and habitat for flora and fauna across the whole site will create an area of biodiversity we all want to see .
This also provides an opportunity to bring the natural environment right into the middle of our built environment that will be accessible to everybody .
A new wood would transform low-quality grassland into a rich world of flora and fauna .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trees and bee banks so that everybody can be right in the middle of nature .
Wares has recently reported that an initial area for this tree planting project will soon be planted .
The Conservatives are delivering innovative conservation outcomes for the City , building on our vision to improve the ecology of the city and working with residents to protect green spaces .
Look to your Conservative councillors if you wish to conserve your environment and city .
And remember , conservation is conservative .

Cllr Steve Bell is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Brighton and Hove Council.
Conservation has always been at the very heart of Conservatism. Conservatives value cultural traditions and wish to leave them undiminished to our children. Conservationists value heritage.
While the left look to big government as the decision-makers set to save us from environmental catastrophe, as Conservatives we prefer a local approach over large-scale governmental approaches. Love of your home, love of your ward, and encouraging that love in your residents.
Conservative Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council have been putting these values into action and making progress on our Conservative vision to both protect and improve the ecology of the City.
In a national-first, Cllr Robert Nemeth has ensured that Brighton & Hove City Council includes a requirement for developers to include bee bricks as part of every new development.
Bee bricks form part of the structure of the building like any other building brick but have holes for solitary and hibernating bees. They are promoted by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds as a way to ensure nature can survive in City environments.
Thanks to the work of Cllr Nemeth, bee bricks are now recommended on all major applications and preferred in houses and extensions in Brighton and Hove.
He took two different types of swift brick along to the council’s Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee at Hove Town Hall in March. One is a simple plastic box that is built into a wall. The other uses bricks from the wall so that it blends in and is also warmer.
A swift box is harder to block up as people can see the box and won’t fill it up. As long as people are putting up swift boxes and bricks then it’s a win for wildlife in the city. Residents can help this effort by planting bee friendly plants and other ecology in their own gardens.
Following on from our work on bee bricks, Conservatives want to ensure that the Council draw up a wider mandatory list of items for inclusion in new developments that will help protect our local wildlife – such as hedgehog holes, bird feeders and bat boxes.
Bats, in particular are a particularly important indicator of the City’s ecology.
As Glenn Norris of the Sussex Wildlife Trust, wrote in the October edition of the Hovarian Magazine, the presence of bats indicate healthy invertebrate-rich habitats. He said:
“In Hove, bats are most likely to be seen in the few remaining green spaces: Hove Park, Hove Cemetery and Benfield Valley Nature Reserve.
“The bats found in Hove are probably the aerobatic common pipistrelle and heavy-duty noctule as these bats are tolerant of artificial lighting from streetlights and have even adapted to feeding on the moths and insects that have been attracted by the artificial glow.
“During the day these bats are most likely roosting in the roof voids of buildings, cracks in mortar and under loose tiles. Pipistrelles are so small they can fit in a hole the size of your thumb.”
Cllr Dawn Barnett, who has been at the forefront of our Conservative Campaign to save Benfield Valley from development, has said that the presence of these bats shows precisely why Benfield Valley needs to be protected. The bats show definitively the ecological value of the Valley and why it is so important that Benfield Valley continues to exist as a green wedge in the city.
In Patcham and Hollingbury, our Conservative Councillors have successfully put forward a proposal to plant 8,000 trees next to Carden Park in Brighton in a bid to create a new forest. The wood, next to Hollingbury Industrial Estate would contain a “bee bank” and chalk grassland managed by Brighton and Hove City Council officers.
Cllr Lee Wares, who represents Patcham, has said that this significant project would result in the largest woodland planted from scratch being undertaken in the city for decades. The ability to plant so many trees and provide the conditions and habitat for flora and fauna across the whole site will create an area of biodiversity we all want to see.
This also provides an opportunity to bring the natural environment right into the middle of our built environment that will be accessible to everybody.
A new wood would transform low-quality grassland into a rich world of flora and fauna.
The plan is to have walkways mown between the trees and bee banks so that everybody can be right in the middle of nature. Wares has recently reported that an initial area for this tree planting project will soon be planted.
The Conservatives are delivering innovative conservation outcomes for the City, building on our vision to improve the ecology of the city and working with residents to protect green spaces.
Look to your Conservative councillors if you wish to conserve your environment and city. And remember, conservation is conservative.


conservativehome--2020-11-26--Dan Rosenfield is Johnson’s new Chief of Staff.  That’s the admin sorted (we hope). But what about t

Dan Rosenfield is Johnson’s new Chief of Staff.  That’s the admin sorted (we hope). But what about the politics?

Dominic Cummings goes out and Dan Rosenfield comes in through Downing Street ’ s revolving door .
They are ships that almost passed in the night .
Rosenfield is a former civil servant ; Cummings distrusted the civil service .
He worked for Alistair Darling and George Osborne , both faces from the vanished pre-EU referendum world .
Cummings helped to destroy it .
Rosenfeld then went to Hakluyt , a strategic advisory firm , via Bank of America .
This is Planet Remain territory , not Leave Country .
Such comparisons are bound to be made today in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Prime Minister ’ s Chief of Staff .
They are wide of the mark .
Cummings was Boris Johnson ’ s Chief Adviser – election strategist come guru come specialist operator , concentrating during the run-up to his depature on getting the new “ moonshot ” test and trace plan up and running .
But Rosenfeld is not replacing him : indeed , Cummings , for better or worse , is irreplacable .
Rosenfield will be Chief of Staff , not a special adviser .
He has clearly been appointed not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrative grip .
That he reportedly has no discernable political views whatsoever is from that point of view a plus .
And a sign that Johnson wants a bit of calm after the storm .
For the moment .
At any rate , Rosenfield is broadly in the tradition of Jonathan Powell , the former civil servant who became Tony Blair ’ s Chief of Staff , rather than that of Ed Llewellyn , David Cameron ’ s Chief of Staff who later became a civil servant – or , more precisely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ambassador to Paris .
Powell , one old Labour hand tells us , “ scarcely dealt with Labour MPs at all ” .
Conservative MPs queueing up to bend Rosenfield ’ s ear may be re-directed to Johnson ’ s Political Secretary , Ben Gascoigne .
“ I really enjoyed working with George , ” Rosenfield has said in an interview .
“ He is a really professional guy , and someone who cares deeply about making a difference .
I enjoyed every minute.
” As we write , Osborne has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s impossible to believe that Downing Street didn ’ t at the least ask the former Chancellor for his view .
Anyway , that ’ s the admin dealt with .
( We hope . )
Next comes the politics .
That means sorting not so much staffing in Downing Street as relations with Tory MPs .
Which suggests change in CCHQ come the reshuffle , a shake-up in the Whips Office and a senior backbencher as a Number Ten troubleshooter – to snuff out problems before they can flare up .

Dominic Cummings goes out and Dan Rosenfield comes in through Downing Street’s revolving door. They are ships that almost passed in the night.
Rosenfield is a former civil servant; Cummings distrusted the civil service. He worked for Alistair Darling and George Osborne, both faces from the vanished pre-EU referendum world. Cummings helped to destroy it. Rosenfeld then went to Hakluyt, a strategic advisory firm, via Bank of America. This is Planet Remain territory, not Leave Country.
Such comparisons are bound to be made today in the wake of Rosenfeld’s appointment as the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff. They are wide of the mark.
Cummings was Boris Johnson’s Chief Adviser – election strategist come guru come specialist operator, concentrating during the run-up to his depature on getting the new “moonshot” test and trace plan up and running. But Rosenfeld is not replacing him: indeed, Cummings, for better or worse, is irreplacable.
Rosenfield will be Chief of Staff, not a special adviser. He has clearly been appointed not to provide policy direction, but to exercise administrative grip. That he reportedly has no discernable political views whatsoever is from that point of view a plus. And a sign that Johnson wants a bit of calm after the storm. For the moment.
At any rate, Rosenfield is broadly in the tradition of Jonathan Powell, the former civil servant who became Tony Blair’s Chief of Staff, rather than that of Ed Llewellyn, David Cameron’s Chief of Staff who later became a civil servant – or, more precisely, a diplomat; or more precisely still, Ambassador to Paris.
Powell, one old Labour hand tells us, “scarcely dealt with Labour MPs at all”. Conservative MPs queueing up to bend Rosenfield’s ear may be re-directed to Johnson’s Political Secretary, Ben Gascoigne.
“I really enjoyed working with George,” Rosenfield has said in an interview. “He is a really professional guy, and someone who cares deeply about making a difference. I enjoyed every minute.”
As we write, Osborne has not yet tweeted about the appointment. It’s impossible to believe that Downing Street didn’t at the least ask the former Chancellor for his view. Anyway, that’s the admin dealt with. (We hope.) Next comes the politics. That means sorting not so much staffing in Downing Street as relations with Tory MPs.
Which suggests change in CCHQ come the reshuffle, a shake-up in the Whips Office and a senior backbencher as a Number Ten troubleshooter – to snuff out problems before they can flare up.


conservativehome--2020-11-26--Henry Hill: MSPs scent blood as the Scottish Government fights to thwart the Salmond inquiry

It ’ s been another week of increasingly bitter fighting between Nicola Sturgeon ’ s government as MSPs as the Scottish Parliament tries once again to force the publication of its legal advice in the Alex Salmond affair .
When last we checked in on this story , the First Minister was facing calls for the scope of the formal inquiry to be ‘ broadened ’ as her timeline regarding what she knew when was called into question .
Since then , the Scottish Government has been fighting a ferocious rearguard action against Holyrood ’ s formal investigation .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNP MSP who is chairing the inquiry , has attacked its delays as “ unacceptable ” .
The spur for this was John Swinney refusing to send two senior civil servants to give evidence .
In a letter , the Deputy First Minister claimed that their appearance “ would create an unacceptable risk ” of allowing the ‘ jigsaw identification ’ of the people who made the original complaints against Salmond .
Murdo Fraser , one of the Conservatives on the investigation , claimed that the SNP “ continue to block the vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are evading any sort of scrutiny.
” Jackie Baillie , a Labour MSP , branded it an ‘ outrage ’ .
The Scottish Government ’ s defeat in court by the former First Minister cost taxpayers half a million pounds .
Legislators have also stepped up their efforts to force ministers to publish the legal advice it received ahead of the Salmond case .
MSPs voted a second time for the Scottish Government to do so , in what has been described as an ’ embarrassing ’ defeat for Sturgeon .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the Greens breaking away to vote with the unionist parties and robbing the Nationalists of their usual de facto majority .
Now the Scottish Conservatives are threatening to take the administration to court in an attempt to force their hand .
For his part , Salmond is continuing to do everything he can to make life difficult for his successor , most recently on defence .
His supporters have accused the Nationalist leadership of jeopardising the party ’ s long-standing commitment to unilateral nuclear disarmament after they pressed for the multilateral alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest defence review .
The ex-First Minister told the Times that : “ For the SNP , the cause of unilateral nuclear disarmament has been second only to independence throughout the party ’ s history .
It would be a fatal bargain to desert either , with victory in sight.
” If successful , this attack could open yet another fault line inside an increasingly divided Nationalist party , alongside those on gender issues and independence strategy , and give Salmond another opportunity to pose as the voice of the true believers against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin Docherty-Hughes , the SNP ’ s defence spokesman , said he was “ sceptical at the motivations ” of those alleging the Party had betrayed its unilateralist roots .
And if the First Minister didn ’ t have enough on her plate , she has had to step up to defend her Westminster lieutenant after he was accused of ‘ bullying ’ a photographer .
Critics claim Ian Blackford MP was trying to ‘ stir up hatred ’ when he called Ollie Taylor out for taking photographs of scenes in his constituency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he assumed was based in England – was breaking lockdown rules .
Taylor has dismissed his subsequent apology as ‘ pathetic ’ and has apparently started legal proceedings .
On top of that , Scottish Government ministers “ are under growing pressure to release full minutes from meetings of the coronavirus advisory group after accusations that they are failing to be open with the public ” , the Times reports .
This comes alongside the news that ‘ proportionately more people north of border have been dying of coronavirus than in England ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competence which has lifted the Nationalists ’ fortunes in recent months after years of Brexit failing to do so .
Sturgeon has also apparently broken ranks on a common UK-wide approach to Christmas restrictions , when polling suggests voters strongly support a common set of rules .
Yet more evidence , then , of a deeply divided party , held together in part by the imminence of next year ’ s Scottish Parliament elections and then – if the separatists secure a majority , and the British Government is feeble – a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties make this count ?
Douglas Ross has been out saying he ’ s ‘ in it to win it ’ in 2021 ( although of course he would ) , and even went so far as to suggest a coalition with Labour to kick the Nationalists out .
The latter of course immediately rejected it , but that could simply signal to committed unionist voters that they are less solid on the constitutional question than the Tories whilst the original offer sends the message that Ross ’ s Conservatives are a mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to watch his unionist flank .
The decision to support the Nationalists ’ travel restrictions has led to a few cut-up membership cards , and the last thing the Scottish Tories need is a Wales-style split amongst their core supporters .

It’s been another week of increasingly bitter fighting between Nicola Sturgeon’s government as MSPs as the Scottish Parliament tries once again to force the publication of its legal advice in the Alex Salmond affair.
When last we checked in on this story, the First Minister was facing calls for the scope of the formal inquiry to be ‘broadened’ as her timeline regarding what she knew when was called into question.
Since then, the Scottish Government has been fighting a ferocious rearguard action against Holyrood’s formal investigation. So much so that Linda Fabiani, an SNP MSP who is chairing the inquiry, has attacked its delays as “unacceptable”. The spur for this was John Swinney refusing to send two senior civil servants to give evidence. In a letter, the Deputy First Minister claimed that their appearance “would create an unacceptable risk” of allowing the ‘jigsaw identification’ of the people who made the original complaints against Salmond.
Murdo Fraser, one of the Conservatives on the investigation, claimed that the SNP “continue to block the vital work of this committee at every turn and are evading any sort of scrutiny.” Jackie Baillie, a Labour MSP, branded it an ‘outrage’. The Scottish Government’s defeat in court by the former First Minister cost taxpayers half a million pounds.
Legislators have also stepped up their efforts to force ministers to publish the legal advice it received ahead of the Salmond case. MSPs voted a second time for the Scottish Government to do so, in what has been described as an ’embarrassing’ defeat for Sturgeon. The vote was 55-45, with four abstentions – the Greens breaking away to vote with the unionist parties and robbing the Nationalists of their usual de facto majority.
Now the Scottish Conservatives are threatening to take the administration to court in an attempt to force their hand.
(Although they apparently won’t be doing the same the SNP’s decision to impose movement restrictions. Adam Tomkins, a Tory MSP and constitutional specialist, has questioned whether or not the Scottish Government’s move to restrict travel between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom is “within Holyrood’s competence”. But the Tories voted for the plans anyway, prompting Oliver Mundell to resign from the front bench.)
For his part, Salmond is continuing to do everything he can to make life difficult for his successor, most recently on defence. His supporters have accused the Nationalist leadership of jeopardising the party’s long-standing commitment to unilateral nuclear disarmament after they pressed for the multilateral alternative as part of the Government’s latest defence review. The ex-First Minister told the Times that: “For the SNP, the cause of unilateral nuclear disarmament has been second only to independence throughout the party’s history. It would be a fatal bargain to desert either, with victory in sight.”
If successful, this attack could open yet another fault line inside an increasingly divided Nationalist party, alongside those on gender issues and independence strategy, and give Salmond another opportunity to pose as the voice of the true believers against his successor’s gradualist approach. Martin Docherty-Hughes, the SNP’s defence spokesman, said he was “sceptical at the motivations” of those alleging the Party had betrayed its unilateralist roots.
And if the First Minister didn’t have enough on her plate, she has had to step up to defend her Westminster lieutenant after he was accused of ‘bullying’ a photographer. Critics claim Ian Blackford MP was trying to ‘stir up hatred’ when he called Ollie Taylor out for taking photographs of scenes in his constituency, alleging that the photographer – whom he assumed was based in England – was breaking lockdown rules. Taylor has dismissed his subsequent apology as ‘pathetic’ and has apparently started legal proceedings.
On top of that, Scottish Government ministers “are under growing pressure to release full minutes from meetings of the coronavirus advisory group after accusations that they are failing to be open with the public”, the Times reports. This comes alongside the news that ‘proportionately more people north of border have been dying of coronavirus than in England’, which risks undermining the impression of competence which has lifted the Nationalists’ fortunes in recent months after years of Brexit failing to do so. Sturgeon has also apparently broken ranks on a common UK-wide approach to Christmas restrictions, when polling suggests voters strongly support a common set of rules.
Yet more evidence, then, of a deeply divided party, held together in part by the imminence of next year’s Scottish Parliament elections and then – if the separatists secure a majority, and the British Government is feeble – a second independence referendum.
But can the opposition parties make this count? Douglas Ross has been out saying he’s ‘in it to win it’ in 2021 (although of course he would), and even went so far as to suggest a coalition with Labour to kick the Nationalists out. The latter of course immediately rejected it, but that could simply signal to committed unionist voters that they are less solid on the constitutional question than the Tories whilst the original offer sends the message that Ross’s Conservatives are a mainstream, centre-facing party.
Yet he will need to watch his unionist flank. The decision to support the Nationalists’ travel restrictions has led to a few cut-up membership cards, and the last thing the Scottish Tories need is a Wales-style split amongst their core supporters.


conservativehome--2020-11-26--The Health Secretary’s statement full text. “Hope is on the horizon” in Covid-19 battle.

“ Mr Speaker , with permission I ’ d like to make a statement on coronavirus .
We are approaching the end of a year where we have asked so much of the British people .
And in response to this unprecedented threat to lives and to livelihoods , the British people have well and truly risen to the challenge by coming together to slow the spread and support each other .
I know how difficult this has been , especially for those areas that have been in restrictions for so long .
The national measures have successfully turned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure on the NHS .
Cases are down by 19 % from a week ago and daily hospital admissions have fallen 7 % in the last week .
January and February are always difficult months for the NHS .
So it is vital we safeguard the gains we ’ ve made .
We must protect our NHS this winter .
We have invested in expanded capacity – not just the Nightingales , but in hospitals across the land – and we have welcomed thousands of new staff .
Mr Speaker , this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses in the NHS is up 14,800 compared to just a year ago – well on our way to delivering our manifesto commitment of 50,000 more nurses .
Together , while we invest in our NHS , we must also protect our NHS .
So it will always be there for all of us , during this pandemic and beyond .
Mr Speaker , I am so grateful for the resolve that people have shown throughout this crisis .
Thanks to this shared sacrifice , we have been able to announce that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in England .
And we have been able to announce UK-wide arrangements for Christmas , allowing friends and loved ones to reunite , and form a 5-day Christmas bubble .
And I know that this news will provide hope for so many .
But we must remain vigilant .
There are still , today , 16,570 people in hospital with coronavirus across the UK , and 696 deaths were reported yesterday .
That means 696 more families mourning the loss of a loved one , and the House mourns with them .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we can not simply flick a switch and try to return life straight back to normal .
Because if we did this , we would undo the hard work of so many and see the NHS overwhelmed , with all that that would entail .
We must keep suppressing the virus , while supporting education , the economy and of course the NHS , until a vaccine can make us safe .
That is our plan .
We will do this by returning to a tiered approach , applying the toughest measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and pressure on the NHS are highest , and allowing greater freedom in areas where prevalence is lower .
While the strategy remains the same , the current epidemiological evidence , and clinical advice , shows we must make the tiers tougher than they were before to protect the NHS through the winter and avert another national lockdown .
So we ’ ve looked at each of the tiers afresh and strengthened them , as the Prime Minister set out on Monday .
In tier 1 if you can work from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tier 2 , alcohol may only now be served in hospitality settings as part of a substantial meal .
And in tier 3 , indoor entertainment , hotels and other accommodation will have to close , along with all forms of hospitality , except for delivery and takeaways .
Mr Speaker , I know that people want certainty about the rules they need to follow in their area .
These decisions are not easy .
But they are necessary .
We have listened to local experts , and been guided by the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joint Biosecurity Centre .
We set out the criteria in the COVID-19 Winter Plan , and we published the data on which the decisions are made .
As the Winter Plan sets out , the 5 indicators are : • the case rates in all age groups • in particular , cases among the over 60s • the rate at which cases are rising or falling • and the pressures on the local NHS When setting the boundaries for these tiers , we have looked not just at geographical areas but the human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like travel patterns and the epidemiological situation in neighbouring areas .
While all 3 tiers are less stringent than the national lockdown that we are all living in now , to keep people safe , and to keep the gains being made , more areas than before will be in the top two tiers .
This is necessary to protect our NHS and keep the virus under control .
Turning to the tiers specifically : the lowest case rates are in Cornwall , the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In all 3 areas have had very low case rates throughout and I want to thank residents for being so vigilant during the whole pandemic .
I know that many other areas would want to be in tier 1 .
I understand that .
My own constituency of West Suffolk has the lowest case rate for over 60s in the whole country .
And I want to thank Matthew Hicks and John Griffiths , the leaders of Suffolk and West Suffolk Councils , and their teams , for this achievement .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suffolk overall has the lowest case rate outside Cornwall and the Isle of Wight , our judgement , looking at all of the indicators , and based on the public health advice , is that Suffolk needs to be in tier 2 to get the virus further under control .
Now I hope that Suffolk , and so many other parts of the country , can get to tier 1 soon , and the more people stick to the rules , the quicker that will happen .
We must make the right judgements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of England will be in tier 2 , but in a significant number of areas , I ’ m afraid , they need to be in tier 3 to bring case rates down .
I know how tough this is , both for areas that have been in restrictions for a long time , like Leicester and Greater Manchester , and also for areas where cases have risen sharply recently , like Bristol , the West Midlands and Kent .
The full allocations have been published this morning and laid as a written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I understand the impact that these measures will have , but they are necessary given the scale of the threat that we face .
We will review the measures in a fortnight , and keep them regularly under review after that .
I want to thank everybody who ’ s in the tier 3 areas for the sacrifices that they are making , not just to protect themselves and their families , but their whole community .
And regardless of your tier , I ask everyone : we must all think of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under control .
We should see these restrictions not as a boundary to push but as a limit on what the public health advice says we can do safely in any area .
But , frankly , the less any one person passes on the disease , the faster we will can get this disease under control together .
And that is on all of us .
Mr Speaker , we must all play our part while we work so hard to deliver the new technologies that will help us get out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
The past fortnight has been illuminated by news of encouraging clinical trials for vaccines .
First , from Pfizer/BioNTech and then from Moderna .
And then of course earlier this week , from the Oxford/AstraZeneca team .
If these vaccines are approved , the NHS stands ready to roll them out , as soon as safely possible .
Alongside vaccines , we have made huge strides in the deployment of testing .
Our roll-out of community testing has been successful because it means we can identify more people who have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and help them to isolate , breaking the connections that the virus needs to spread .
As part of our COVID-19 Winter Plan , we will use these tests on a regular basis .
For instance , to allow visitors safely to see loved ones in care homes , to protect our frontline NHS and social care colleagues , and to allow vital industries and public services to keep running safely .
Mr Speaker , we have seen in Liverpool , where now over 300,000 people have been tested , how successful this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to pay tribute to the people of Liverpool , both for following the restrictions and for embracing this community testing .
It has been a big team effort across the whole city .
And the result is that in the Liverpool City Region the number of cases has fallen by more than two-thirds .
In the borough of Liverpool itself , where the mass testing took place , cases have fallen by three-quarters .
It hasn ’ t been easy and , sadly , many people in Liverpool have lost their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sticking to the rules , and to the huge effort of community testing , Liverpool ’ s cases are now low enough for the whole City Region to go into tier 2 .
This shows what we can do when we work together .
We can beat the virus .
And I want to pay tribute to the people of Liverpool , to NHS Test and Trace , the University , the Hospital Trust , and Mayor Joe Anderson and so many others , who have demonstrated such impressive leadership , responsibility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are now expanding this community testing programme even further , to launch a major community testing programme , honing in on the areas with the greatest rate of infection .
This programme is open to all local authorities in tier 3 areas in the first instance and offers help to get out of the toughest restrictions as fast as possible .
We will work with local authorities on a plan to get tests where they ’ re needed most and how we can get as many people as possible to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The more people who get tested then the quicker that a local area can move down through the tiers , and get life closer to normal .
Mr Speaker , viruses can take a short time to spread , but a long time to vanquish , and sadly there is no quick fix .
They call upon all our determination to make the sacrifices that will bring it to heel and all our ingenuity to make the scientific advances that will get us through .
Hope is on the horizon but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must all dig deep .
The end is in sight .
We mustn ’ t give up now .
We must follow these new rules and make sure that our actions today will save lives in future and help get our country through this .
And I commend this statement to the House .
”

“Mr Speaker, with permission I’d like to make a statement on coronavirus.
We are approaching the end of a year where we have asked so much of the British people.
And in response to this unprecedented threat to lives and to livelihoods, the British people have well and truly risen to the challenge by coming together to slow the spread and support each other.
I know how difficult this has been, especially for those areas that have been in restrictions for so long. The national measures have successfully turned the curve, and begun to ease the pressure on the NHS.
Cases are down by 19% from a week ago and daily hospital admissions have fallen 7% in the last week.
January and February are always difficult months for the NHS. So it is vital we safeguard the gains we’ve made.
We must protect our NHS this winter. We have invested in expanded capacity – not just the Nightingales, but in hospitals across the land – and we have welcomed thousands of new staff.
Mr Speaker, this morning’s figures show the number of nurses in the NHS is up 14,800 compared to just a year ago – well on our way to delivering our manifesto commitment of 50,000 more nurses.
Together, while we invest in our NHS, we must also protect our NHS. So it will always be there for all of us, during this pandemic and beyond.
Mr Speaker, I am so grateful for the resolve that people have shown throughout this crisis.
Thanks to this shared sacrifice, we have been able to announce that we will not be renewing our national restrictions in England.
And we have been able to announce UK-wide arrangements for Christmas, allowing friends and loved ones to reunite, and form a 5-day Christmas bubble. And I know that this news will provide hope for so many.
But we must remain vigilant. There are still, today, 16,570 people in hospital with coronavirus across the UK, and 696 deaths were reported yesterday.
That means 696 more families mourning the loss of a loved one, and the House mourns with them. So, as tempting as it may be, we cannot simply flick a switch and try to return life straight back to normal.
Because if we did this, we would undo the hard work of so many and see the NHS overwhelmed, with all that that would entail.
We must keep suppressing the virus, while supporting education, the economy and of course the NHS, until a vaccine can make us safe. That is our plan.
We will do this by returning to a tiered approach, applying the toughest measures to the parts of the country where cases and pressure on the NHS are highest, and allowing greater freedom in areas where prevalence is lower.
While the strategy remains the same, the current epidemiological evidence, and clinical advice, shows we must make the tiers tougher than they were before to protect the NHS through the winter and avert another national lockdown.
So we’ve looked at each of the tiers afresh and strengthened them, as the Prime Minister set out on Monday.
In tier 1 if you can work from home, you should do so.
In tier 2, alcohol may only now be served in hospitality settings as part of a substantial meal.
And in tier 3, indoor entertainment, hotels and other accommodation will have to close, along with all forms of hospitality, except for delivery and takeaways.
Mr Speaker, I know that people want certainty about the rules they need to follow in their area.
These decisions are not easy. But they are necessary.
We have listened to local experts, and been guided by the best public health advice, including from the Joint Biosecurity Centre.
We set out the criteria in the COVID-19 Winter Plan, and we published the data on which the decisions are made.
As the Winter Plan sets out, the 5 indicators are:
the case rates in all age groups
in particular, cases among the over 60s
the rate at which cases are rising or falling
the positivity rate
and the pressures on the local NHS
When setting the boundaries for these tiers, we have looked not just at geographical areas but the human geographies which influence how the virus spreads, like travel patterns and the epidemiological situation in neighbouring areas.
While all 3 tiers are less stringent than the national lockdown that we are all living in now, to keep people safe, and to keep the gains being made, more areas than before will be in the top two tiers.
This is necessary to protect our NHS and keep the virus under control.
Turning to the tiers specifically: the lowest case rates are in Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly, which will go into tier 1.
In all 3 areas have had very low case rates throughout and I want to thank residents for being so vigilant during the whole pandemic.
I know that many other areas would want to be in tier 1. I understand that.
My own constituency of West Suffolk has the lowest case rate for over 60s in the whole country.
And I want to thank Matthew Hicks and John Griffiths, the leaders of Suffolk and West Suffolk Councils, and their teams, for this achievement.
But despite this, and despite the fact Suffolk overall has the lowest case rate outside Cornwall and the Isle of Wight, our judgement, looking at all of the indicators, and based on the public health advice, is that Suffolk needs to be in tier 2 to get the virus further under control.
Now I hope that Suffolk, and so many other parts of the country, can get to tier 1 soon, and the more people stick to the rules, the quicker that will happen.
We must make the right judgements guided by the science.
The majority of England will be in tier 2, but in a significant number of areas, I’m afraid, they need to be in tier 3 to bring case rates down.
I know how tough this is, both for areas that have been in restrictions for a long time, like Leicester and Greater Manchester, and also for areas where cases have risen sharply recently, like Bristol, the West Midlands and Kent.
The full allocations have been published this morning and laid as a written ministerial statement just before this statement began.
I understand the impact that these measures will have, but they are necessary given the scale of the threat that we face.
We will review the measures in a fortnight, and keep them regularly under review after that.
I want to thank everybody who’s in the tier 3 areas for the sacrifices that they are making, not just to protect themselves and their families, but their whole community.
And regardless of your tier, I ask everyone: we must all think of our own responsibilities to keep this virus under control.
We should see these restrictions not as a boundary to push but as a limit on what the public health advice says we can do safely in any area.
But, frankly, the less any one person passes on the disease, the faster we will can get this disease under control together. And that is on all of us.
Mr Speaker, we must all play our part while we work so hard to deliver the new technologies that will help us get out of this. In particular, vaccines and testing.
The past fortnight has been illuminated by news of encouraging clinical trials for vaccines. First, from Pfizer/BioNTech and then from Moderna. And then of course earlier this week, from the Oxford/AstraZeneca team.
If these vaccines are approved, the NHS stands ready to roll them out, as soon as safely possible. Alongside vaccines, we have made huge strides in the deployment of testing.
Our roll-out of community testing has been successful because it means we can identify more people who have the virus but don’t have symptoms and help them to isolate, breaking the connections that the virus needs to spread.
As part of our COVID-19 Winter Plan, we will use these tests on a regular basis. For instance, to allow visitors safely to see loved ones in care homes, to protect our frontline NHS and social care colleagues, and to allow vital industries and public services to keep running safely.
Mr Speaker, we have seen in Liverpool, where now over 300,000 people have been tested, how successful this community testing can be, and I want to pay tribute to the people of Liverpool, both for following the restrictions and for embracing this community testing.
It has been a big team effort across the whole city. And the result is that in the Liverpool City Region the number of cases has fallen by more than two-thirds.
In the borough of Liverpool itself, where the mass testing took place, cases have fallen by three-quarters.
It hasn’t been easy and, sadly, many people in Liverpool have lost their lives to COVID. But thanks to people sticking to the rules, and to the huge effort of community testing, Liverpool’s cases are now low enough for the whole City Region to go into tier 2.
This shows what we can do when we work together. We can beat the virus.
And I want to pay tribute to the people of Liverpool, to NHS Test and Trace, the University, the Hospital Trust, and Mayor Joe Anderson and so many others, who have demonstrated such impressive leadership, responsibility, and a true sense of public service.
We are now expanding this community testing programme even further, to launch a major community testing programme, honing in on the areas with the greatest rate of infection.
This programme is open to all local authorities in tier 3 areas in the first instance and offers help to get out of the toughest restrictions as fast as possible.
We will work with local authorities on a plan to get tests where they’re needed most and how we can get as many people as possible to come forward and get certainty about their condition.
The more people who get tested then the quicker that a local area can move down through the tiers, and get life closer to normal.
Mr Speaker, viruses can take a short time to spread, but a long time to vanquish, and sadly there is no quick fix.
They call upon all our determination to make the sacrifices that will bring it to heel and all our ingenuity to make the scientific advances that will get us through.
Hope is on the horizon but we still have further to go. So we must all dig deep. The end is in sight. We mustn’t give up now.
We must follow these new rules and make sure that our actions today will save lives in future and help get our country through this.
And I commend this statement to the House.”


conservativehome--2020-11-27--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Commissioner for Public Appointments – and

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Commissioner for Public Appointments – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ As the independent regulator of public appointments made by ministers in the UK and Welsh governments , the Commissioner ’ s statutory functions are set out in the Public Appointments Order in Council 2019 .
The Order in Council also sets out those bodies and posts that are within the Commissioner ’ s regulatory remit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to provide independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments , including the Principles of Public Appointments .
The new Commissioner will need to work closely with a number of stakeholders including ( but not limited to ) UK and Welsh Government Ministers , Chairs of public bodies , senior officials/accounting officers in departments and officials in the Cabinet Office ’ s Public Appointments Policy team.
” “ We are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee ’ s task of recommending designs for United Kingdom coins , official medals , seals and decorations .
The new chair will be responsible for leading numismatic design in the United Kingdom , collaborating closely with Government departments , the Royal Household and the Royal Mint .
This role will involve leading all aspects of new and innovative ways of commemorating events , individuals and symbology of national significance in numismatic form .
The chair of the RMAC will lead and guide meetings of the committee , reaching consensus on various design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other government departments and the Crown on artistic excellence in design .
The RMAC chair is responsible for leading the committee in an ethical manner , acting impartially , ensuring effective governance and excellence in delivery.. ” “ The Prime Minister ’ s Council for Science and Technology ( CST ) is the Government ’ s top-level advisory body on science and technology issues .
It reports directly to the Prime Minister on matters of science and technology that cut across the responsibilities of government departments .
It is co-chaired by the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The SARS-CoV-2 ( Covid-19 ) pandemic has highlighted the importance of science and technology in facing a challenge of such epic proportions , and in building a robust , sustainable , and equitable recovery plan for the UK , post Covid .
The Government is seeking to appoint a new Independent Co-Chair for the Council for Science and Technology .
The Government will appoint an Independent Co-Chair who will share responsibility for chairing the Council with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser ( GCSA ) .
” Bank of England – External Member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FPC is responsible for identifying , monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks with a view to protecting and enhancing the resilience of the UK financial system .
The FPC also has a secondary objective to support the Government ’ s economic policies.The FPC has wide-ranging powers of recommendation and can direct the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority to take action to address systemic risks to financial stability .
The appointment of external members to the FPC is designed to ensure that the Committee benefits from thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the Bank of England , and to provide constructive challenge during the Committee ’ s deliberations .
Each member of the FPC should have expertise in the field of financial services and economics .
External members will be independent – they will not represent or lobby for individual groups , interests or sectors.
” “ The Steering Board ’ s role is to : advise on external drivers , strategic direction and development of targets , within the framework of the UK Space Agency ’ s objectives , BEIS and wider Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide a strategic challenge on the business and corporate plans and review and endorse the annual report and accounts for submission by the Accounting Officer ; advise on and provide independent assessment of performance , including process of setting of targets and performance against them ; advise on major business developments which imply a significant change in the Agency ’ s role or activities and on its exposure to and management of risk ; and to advocate and advise in relation to the promotion and awareness of the work of the UK Space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As an FE Adviser , you will work as part of a team with the FE Commissioner , Deputy FE Commissioners and other Advisers .
FE Advisers are generally either finance or curriculum and quality specialists and we are looking for candidates from both backgrounds to help grow our team .
In this exciting and demanding role you will support colleges through carrying out Diagnostic Assessments , designed to help them to improve the quality of education for learners , strengthen financial resilience , improve the quality of leadership and reduce the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrated part of the Department for Education ( DfE ) ’ s overall approach to intervention , within the context of the ESFA case management approach .
As such you will work closely with teams within ESFA , as well as the wider DfE and Ofsted.
” Time : Up to 200 days per annum .
“ The Panel Chair will provide strategic direction and oversight for the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales .
Developing and maintaining a close relationship with the Minister and key members of the Welsh agricultural sector is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role .
The Panel Chair need not be an expert in the field of agriculture , he or she must have senior level experience in the private , public or voluntary sector .
The Panel Chair will have the following strategic leadership responsibilities : lead the formulation of the Panel ’ s strategy and business plans , monitoring in-year performance and examining change proposals with rigour to maintain delivery ; ensure issues are brought forward in a timely manner for effective resolution ; ensure that the Panel ’ s decisions are informed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided by the Welsh Ministers and Welsh Government officials… ” “ The Sports Grounds Safety Authority ( SGSA ) was established by statute as an Arms Length Public Body in 2011 taking on the full responsibilities of its predecessor body , The Football Licensing Authority .
The SGSA is the safety regulator for football grounds in England and Wales and the UK Government ’ s independent advisor on sports grounds safety .
The three core functions of the SGSA are : to issues licences to league and international football grounds in England and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to watch matches and to oversee local authorities in their duties to sports grounds safety and safety certification ; provide strategic support for sports grounds , governing bodies and others , both in the UK and internationally ; set and raise standards globally through developing guidance , particularly the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds ( Green Guide ) .
” Time : Up to two days per week .
“ This Government is committed to improving the lived experience of social housing tenants and will publish the Social Housing White Paper shortly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in protecting and empowering social housing tenants through a robust regulatory framework , and will therefore have a key role to play in delivering the reforms set out in the White Paper .
This will be an exciting and challenging time to join the organisation , leading transformational change to the way the Regulator works with the wider social housing sector .
All of this is likely to provide a challenging task for a new Chair of the regulator .
The role will require ensuring the organisation continues to deliver in these more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward it can respond and evolve to future policy changes and significant cultural change in the organisation.
” Time : Up to two days per week .
“ The Chair is accountable to the MOD Sponsor ( and ultimately to the Permanent Secretary and Ministers ) for the performance and effective operation of the OPA Board .
The OPA Board Chair sets the Board ’ s agenda and has a personal role in advising the Sponsor about the high-level business issues affecting OPA .
The Chair is responsible for : providing advice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s strategic direction , objectives and risks , business performance and governance arrangements ; leading the Board to provide support and challenge to the OPA CEO and Executive Team regarding their performance , delivery consistent with the OPA strategic direction and assurance of risk management ; ensuring that the Board is effective , including assessing the performance of the Board and its NEDs , and making recommendations on areas of development , typically through an annual board effectiveness review ; and when considering re-appointments… ” “ The mission of the Financial Reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency and integrity in business .
These are cornerstones to generating public trust and confidence in UK business and help attract investment in successful companies that provide jobs , create prosperity and generate economic growth .
The FRC sets the UK Corporate Governance & Stewardship Codes which aim to make investors more accountable to their clients and beneficiaries .
The FRC also sets standards for accounting , auditing and actuarial work .
As the UK ’ s independent regulator and Competent Authority for Audit it monitors , and takes action where necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and audit .
It also operates independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries.
” “ UK Shared Business Services Ltd ( UK SBS ) is a non-profit making company limited by shares .
It was established in 2007 by the UK Research Councils as part of a drive for greater value for money .
The Company provides HR & Payroll , Finance , Procurement and IT services to its owners the Department for Business , Energy & Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) , UK Research and Innovation ( UKRI ) and other public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cabinet Office as a government shared service provider and forms part of the Shared Service Strategy for Government… This is an exciting , interesting and challenging time for UK SBS ; the newly appointed Chair will provide strong leadership to guide the Company through this transformation , delivering leading-edge shared services to multiple clients at the best value and providing our end-users with the high-quality user experience they have become accustomed to in the digital age .
”

Eight years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party, compared to less than a third for the Conservatives.
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts, over time, the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
Commissioner for Public Appointments
“As the independent regulator of public appointments made by ministers in the UK and Welsh governments, the Commissioner’s statutory functions are set out in the Public Appointments Order in Council 2019. The Order in Council also sets out those bodies and posts that are within the Commissioner’s regulatory remit. The Commissioner’s primary role is to provide independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments, including the Principles of Public Appointments. The new Commissioner will need to work closely with a number of stakeholders including (but not limited to) UK and Welsh Government Ministers, Chairs of public bodies, senior officials/accounting officers in departments and officials in the Cabinet Office’s Public Appointments Policy team.”
Time: 2 days per week on average.
Remuneration: £56,000 per annum.
Closes: 24 November
– – – – – – – – – –
Royal Mint Advisory Committee – Chair
“We are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, who will play a central role in the committee’s task of recommending designs for United Kingdom coins, official medals, seals and decorations. The new chair will be responsible for leading numismatic design in the United Kingdom, collaborating closely with Government departments, the Royal Household and the Royal Mint. This role will involve leading all aspects of new and innovative ways of commemorating events, individuals and symbology of national significance in numismatic form. The chair of the RMAC will lead and guide meetings of the committee, reaching consensus on various design proposals and ultimately advise HM Treasury, other government departments and the Crown on artistic excellence in design. The RMAC chair is responsible for leading the committee in an ethical manner, acting impartially, ensuring effective governance and excellence in delivery..”
Time: Six meetings per annum.
Remuneration: None.
Closes: 27 November
– – – – – – – – – –
Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology – Co-Chair
“The Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology (CST) is the Government’s top-level advisory body on science and technology issues. It reports directly to the Prime Minister on matters of science and technology that cut across the responsibilities of government departments. It is co-chaired by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and an independent appointee. The SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic has highlighted the importance of science and technology in facing a challenge of such epic proportions, and in building a robust, sustainable, and equitable recovery plan for the UK, post Covid. The Government is seeking to appoint a new Independent Co-Chair for the Council for Science and Technology. The Government will appoint an Independent Co-Chair who will share responsibility for chairing the Council with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA).”
Time: 2-3 days per month.
Remuneration: None.
Closes: 29 November
– – – – – – – – – –
Bank of England – External Member of the Financial Policy Committee
“The FPC is responsible for identifying, monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks with a view to protecting and enhancing the resilience of the UK financial system. The FPC also has a secondary objective to support the Government’s economic policies.The FPC has wide-ranging powers of recommendation and can direct the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority to take action to address systemic risks to financial stability. The appointment of external members to the FPC is designed to ensure that the Committee benefits from thinking and expertise in addition to that existing inside the Bank of England, and to provide constructive challenge during the Committee’s deliberations. Each member of the FPC should have expertise in the field of financial services and economics. External members will be independent – they will not represent or lobby for individual groups, interests or sectors.”
Time: 23 days per quarter.
Remuneration: £97,200.
Closes: 29 November
– – – – – – – – – –
UK Space Agency – Non-Executive Members/Audit Chair
“The Steering Board’s role is to: advise on external drivers, strategic direction and development of targets, within the framework of the UK Space Agency’s objectives, BEIS and wider Government objectives; bring an external perspective to provide a strategic challenge on the business and corporate plans and review and endorse the annual report and accounts for submission by the Accounting Officer; advise on and provide independent assessment of performance, including process of setting of targets and performance against them; advise on major business developments which imply a significant change in the Agency’s role or activities and on its exposure to and management of risk; and to advocate and advise in relation to the promotion and awareness of the work of the UK Space Agency with stakeholders and partners.”
Time: 20/22 days per annum.
Remuneration: £8,000/10,000 per annum honorarium.
Closes: 29 November
– – – – – – – – – –
Further Education Commissioner’s Team – Adviser
“As an FE Adviser, you will work as part of a team with the FE Commissioner, Deputy FE Commissioners and other Advisers. FE Advisers are generally either finance or curriculum and quality specialists and we are looking for candidates from both backgrounds to help grow our team. In this exciting and demanding role you will support colleges through carrying out Diagnostic Assessments, designed to help them to improve the quality of education for learners, strengthen financial resilience, improve the quality of leadership and reduce the risk of interventions… You will work as an integrated part of the Department for Education (DfE)’s overall approach to intervention, within the context of the ESFA case management approach. As such you will work closely with teams within ESFA, as well as the wider DfE and Ofsted.”
Time: Up to 200 days per annum.
Remuneration: £600 per diem.
Closes: 02 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Agricultural Advisory Panel (Wales) – Chair
“The Panel Chair will provide strategic direction and oversight for the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales. Developing and maintaining a close relationship with the Minister and key members of the Welsh agricultural sector is a crucial part of the Chair’s role. The Panel Chair need not be an expert in the field of agriculture, he or she must have senior level experience in the private, public or voluntary sector. The Panel Chair will have the following strategic leadership responsibilities: lead the formulation of the Panel’s strategy and business plans, monitoring in-year performance and examining change proposals with rigour to maintain delivery; ensure issues are brought forward in a timely manner for effective resolution; ensure that the Panel’s decisions are informed and fair, taking proper account of guidance provided by the Welsh Ministers and Welsh Government officials…”
Time: Minimum 12 days per annum.
Remuneration: £300 per diem plus reasonable expenses.
Closes: 04 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Sports Grounds Safety Authority – Chair
“The Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) was established by statute as an Arms Length Public Body in 2011 taking on the full responsibilities of its predecessor body, The Football Licensing Authority. The SGSA is the safety regulator for football grounds in England and Wales and the UK Government’s independent advisor on sports grounds safety. The three core functions of the SGSA are: to issues licences to league and international football grounds in England and Wales to allow them to permit spectators to watch matches and to oversee local authorities in their duties to sports grounds safety and safety certification; provide strategic support for sports grounds, governing bodies and others, both in the UK and internationally; set and raise standards globally through developing guidance, particularly the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide).”
Time: Up to two days per week.
Remuneration: £36,260 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 08 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Regulator of Social Housing – Chair
“This Government is committed to improving the lived experience of social housing tenants and will publish the Social Housing White Paper shortly. The Regulator plays a key role in protecting and empowering social housing tenants through a robust regulatory framework, and will therefore have a key role to play in delivering the reforms set out in the White Paper. This will be an exciting and challenging time to join the organisation, leading transformational change to the way the Regulator works with the wider social housing sector. All of this is likely to provide a challenging task for a new Chair of the regulator. The role will require ensuring the organisation continues to deliver in these more challenging times, whilst ensuring that going forward it can respond and evolve to future policy changes and significant cultural change in the organisation.”
Time: Up to two days per week.
Remuneration: £65,000 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 13 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Oil & Pipeline Agency – Chair
“The Chair is accountable to the MOD Sponsor (and ultimately to the Permanent Secretary and Ministers) for the performance and effective operation of the OPA Board. The OPA Board Chair sets the Board’s agenda and has a personal role in advising the Sponsor about the high-level business issues affecting OPA. The Chair is responsible for: providing advice to the Sponsor and wider MOD on OPA’s strategic direction, objectives and risks, business performance and governance arrangements; leading the Board to provide support and challenge to the OPA CEO and Executive Team regarding their performance, delivery consistent with the OPA strategic direction and assurance of risk management; ensuring that the Board is effective, including assessing the performance of the Board and its NEDs, and making recommendations on areas of development, typically through an annual board effectiveness review; and when considering re-appointments…”
Time: 30 days per week.
Remuneration: £27,000 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 14 December
– – – – – – – – – –
Financial Reporting Council – Chair
“The mission of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to promote transparency and integrity in business. These are cornerstones to generating public trust and confidence in UK business and help attract investment in successful companies that provide jobs, create prosperity and generate economic growth. The FRC sets the UK Corporate Governance & Stewardship Codes which aim to make investors more accountable to their clients and beneficiaries. The FRC also sets standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work. As the UK’s independent regulator and Competent Authority for Audit it monitors, and takes action where necessary, to promote the quality of corporate reporting and audit. It also operates independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries.”
Time: 1.5 days per week.
Remuneration: £75,000 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 03 January
– – – – – – – – – –
UK Shared Business Services Ltd – Chair
“UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) is a non-profit making company limited by shares. It was established in 2007 by the UK Research Councils as part of a drive for greater value for money. The Company provides HR & Payroll, Finance, Procurement and IT services to its owners the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other public sector clients. It is recognised by the Cabinet Office as a government shared service provider and forms part of the Shared Service Strategy for Government… This is an exciting, interesting and challenging time for UK SBS; the newly appointed Chair will provide strong leadership to guide the Company through this transformation, delivering leading-edge shared services to multiple clients at the best value and providing our end-users with the high-quality user experience they have become accustomed to in the digital age.”
Time: Max 36 days per annum.
Remuneration: £575 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 03 January


conservativehome--2020-11-27--Kate Hoey joins us for the next episode of ConservativeHome Live

We are pleased to invite you to take part in the next instalment of our ConservativeHome Live interview series , for which we will be joined by yet another very special guest : Kate Hoey .
During her 30 years as Labour MP for Vauxhall , Kate won both fans and critics across party lines by her willingness to stand up for her beliefs – vocally opposing the hunting ban as Chairman of the Countryside Alliance , defying Robert Mugabe by sneaking into Zimbabwe to meet with opposition leaders , and most famously campaigning for the UK to leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcome of the 2016 referendum proved crucial more than once in the 2017-19 Parliament , as she resisted intense pressure from her then party to back down .
Having chosen not to stand again in last year ’ s General Election , in October she was elevated to the House of Lords , as Baroness Hoey of Lylehill and Rathlin , where she sits as a non-affiliated peer .
Join us live as we discuss her experiences as a Labour Eurosceptic , as well as her perspective on the modern left , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London .
It is set to be a truly fascinating hour , with a unique politician who has a deserved reputation for speaking her mind .
Thanks to the support of our sponsor , Thorncliffe , this online event will be free to view .
As ever , there will be a chance for audience members to put their questions to Kate , too .
The event will take place via Zoom at 7pm-8pm , Tuesday 1st December .
Click here to register for your free ticket .

We are pleased to invite you to take part in the next instalment of our ConservativeHome Live interview series, for which we will be joined by yet another very special guest: Kate Hoey.
During her 30 years as Labour MP for Vauxhall, Kate won both fans and critics across party lines by her willingness to stand up for her beliefs – vocally opposing the hunting ban as Chairman of the Countryside Alliance, defying Robert Mugabe by sneaking into Zimbabwe to meet with opposition leaders, and most famously campaigning for the UK to leave the EU. Her votes to honour the outcome of the 2016 referendum proved crucial more than once in the 2017-19 Parliament, as she resisted intense pressure from her then party to back down.
Having chosen not to stand again in last year’s General Election, in October she was elevated to the House of Lords, as Baroness Hoey of Lylehill and Rathlin, where she sits as a non-affiliated peer.
Join us live as we discuss her experiences as a Labour Eurosceptic, as well as her perspective on the modern left, the future of Brexit and the challenges facing London. It is set to be a truly fascinating hour, with a unique politician who has a deserved reputation for speaking her mind.
Thanks to the support of our sponsor, Thorncliffe, this online event will be free to view. As ever, there will be a chance for audience members to put their questions to Kate, too.
The event will take place via Zoom at 7pm-8pm, Tuesday 1st December.
Click here to register for your free ticket.


conservativehome--2020-11-27--Iain Dale: Yes to what’s in the new tiers.  But No to who’s been put in them.  Using county boundari

Iain Dale: Yes to what’s in the new tiers.  But No to who’s been put in them.  Using county boundaries is barking mad.

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith .
I write this just as Matt Hancock is announcing which areas of the country are going into which tiers from next week .
I ’ m afraid the Government have got this completely wrong .
I agree with strengthening the measures in the tiers , but using counties as the geographical criteria is just barking mad .
Take my own county of Kent – where we are being put into Tier Three , despite most of the county having very low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borough I live in has one of the lowest infection rates in the country .
Yet the Medway Towns – especially the borough of Swale – are dragging down the rest of the county into the top tier .
The fact is that people who live south of the M20 do not often venture north of it .
Similarly , North Devon is in Tier Two despite the rate of infection being one of the lowest in the country – even lower , I ’ m told , than neighbouring Cornwall , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Damian Green and Greg Clark have suggested , it would be far more sensible to divide the country up into district council areas ?
When there ’ s nothing else to write about , so the saying goes for political journos , a nice little speculative story about a reshuffle never goes amiss .
No one ever looks back and holds your words against you , even when you get it spectacularly wrong .
On Monday , Rachel Sylvester had a go at predicting what Boris Johnson might do in a pre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sajid Javid for the Foreign Office with Dominic Raab moving to the Cabinet Office , with Michael Gove replacing Priti Patel at the Home Office , who would then take on the party chairmanship .
The flaw in this argument is that there would then be no woman holding any of the great offices of state .
No doubt in order to persuade Patel that she wasn ’ t being demoted , the role of the Party Chairman would have to enhanced and reimagined .
As I ’ ve written before , back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the best job to have outside the top three .
Those days are long gone , but perhaps with the right person in the job they could return .
Sylvester also touted Jeremy Hunt to replace Gavin Williamson at education .
I ’ ve heard worse ideas , and in many ways he would fit the job like a hand in a glove .
But would he take it ?
It ’ s a bit of a comedown from travelling the world as Foreign Secretary , and you get the feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside tovernment , chairing the Health Select Committee .
Home Secretary might be more of a pull .
It would be difficult to turn down a great office of state .
The problem the Prime Minister has is that there is little point in having a big , meaningful reshuffle if there isn ’ t much new talent available to replace the Cabinet dead wood .
And if you look down the list of ministers of state , well , without being unkind , there aren ’ t many of them who you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those currently clinging on to their cabinet roles .
Kit Malthouse , Penny Mordaunt and Kwasi Kwarteng would be the three prime candidates for promotion , in my view .
With the departure of Messers Cummings and Cain , Boris Johnson would do well to promote several ministers who are good media performersm and make ir clear that going out and explaining government policy on the airwaves is one of the prime tasks of Cabinet ministers – on the basis that if they don ’ t do it , no one else will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gillian Keegan , Victoria Atkins , Victoria Prentis , Jo Churchill , Chris Philp and Robin Walker ought to be given more prominent , public-facing roles .
In my opinion , the role of the Cabinet Office should be recast , with at least two ministers appointed whose roles would be to be Ministers for Radio and TV – the ministerial equivalents of Allegra Stratton .
Communication is everything in modern government , You can have the best policies in the history of politics , but if no one knows about them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their attempts to portray them negatively , it ’ s all for nothing .

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith.
I write this just as Matt Hancock is announcing which areas of the country are going into which tiers from next week. I’m afraid the Government have got this completely wrong.
I agree with strengthening the measures in the tiers, but using counties as the geographical criteria is just barking mad.
Take my own county of Kent – where we are being put into Tier Three, despite most of the county having very low rates of infection. Indeed, the borough I live in has one of the lowest infection rates in the country.
Yet the Medway Towns – especially the borough of Swale – are dragging down the rest of the county into the top tier. The fact is that people who live south of the M20 do not often venture north of it.
Similarly, North Devon is in Tier Two despite the rate of infection being one of the lowest in the country – even lower, I’m told, than neighbouring Cornwall, which is in Tier One. Surely, as Damian Green and Greg Clark have suggested, it would be far more sensible to divide the country up into district council areas?
– – – – – – – – – –
When there’s nothing else to write about, so the saying goes for political journos, a nice little speculative story about a reshuffle never goes amiss. No one ever looks back and holds your words against you, even when you get it spectacularly wrong.
On Monday, Rachel Sylvester had a go at predicting what Boris Johnson might do in a pre or post Christmas reshuffle. She touted Sajid Javid for the Foreign Office with Dominic Raab moving to the Cabinet Office, with Michael Gove replacing Priti Patel at the Home Office, who would then take on the party chairmanship.
The flaw in this argument is that there would then be no woman holding any of the great offices of state. No doubt in order to persuade Patel that she wasn’t being demoted, the role of the Party Chairman would have to enhanced and reimagined.
As I’ve written before, back in the day the job was considered to be the best job to have outside the top three. Those days are long gone, but perhaps with the right person in the job they could return.
Sylvester also touted Jeremy Hunt to replace Gavin Williamson at education. I’ve heard worse ideas, and in many ways he would fit the job like a hand in a glove.
But would he take it? It’s a bit of a comedown from travelling the world as Foreign Secretary, and you get the feeling he’s quite enjoying his life outside tovernment, chairing the Health Select Committee. Home Secretary might be more of a pull. It would be difficult to turn down a great office of state.
The problem the Prime Minister has is that there is little point in having a big, meaningful reshuffle if there isn’t much new talent available to replace the Cabinet dead wood. And if you look down the list of ministers of state, well, without being unkind, there aren’t many of them who you automatically think would do any better than those currently clinging on to their cabinet roles. Kit Malthouse, Penny Mordaunt and Kwasi Kwarteng would be the three prime candidates for promotion, in my view.
With the departure of Messers Cummings and Cain, Boris Johnson would do well to promote several ministers who are good media performersm and make ir clear that going out and explaining government policy on the airwaves is one of the prime tasks of Cabinet ministers – on the basis that if they don’t do it, no one else will.
On that criteria, Kemi Badenoch, Gillian Keegan, Victoria Atkins, Victoria Prentis, Jo Churchill, Chris Philp and Robin Walker ought to be given more prominent, public-facing roles.
In my opinion, the role of the Cabinet Office should be recast, with at least two ministers appointed whose roles would be to be Ministers for Radio and TV – the ministerial equivalents of Allegra Stratton.
Communication is everything in modern government, You can have the best policies in the history of politics, but if no one knows about them, or if the Opposition succeed in their attempts to portray them negatively, it’s all for nothing.


conservativehome--2020-11-27--“The Chancellor has passed the responsibility to us. Can’t complain.” Council leaders respond to the

“The Chancellor has passed the responsibility to us. Can’t complain.” Council leaders respond to the Spending Review.

Thespians are well known for their fear of the name Macbeth .
Should someone utter it , the culprit must exit the theatre , spin around three times , spit , curse and then knock on the theatre door to be allowed back in .
The correct form is to refer to “ the Scottish play ” .
For council finance officers , the current equivalent is to utter a reference to “ Croydon.
” Best to protect sensibilities by reference to “ a certain south London borough.
” Croydon Council has not actually gone bankrupt – neither did Northamptonshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to balance its budget and thus avoid the men from the Ministry swooping in to take charge .
Thus we have a Labour council , a Labour council , obliged to introduce what The Guardian describes as “ drastic cuts.
” Other councils – especially those who undertook imprudent investments in commercial property – are anxious to avoid getting into the same position .
Thus the Spending Review , which Rishi Sunak , the Chancellor of the Exchequer , delivered on Wednesday was listened to with particular interest by decision-makers in local government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council leaders to gauge the reaction .
They included district , county and unitary leaders from north and south .
One caveat was that they tended to be waiting to see the “ small print ” – specifically details of what funding individual local authorities will get when the grant settlement is revealed next month .
But there was a favourable reaction to the broad headline announcements .
The Chancellor said : “ Local authorities will have extra flexibility for Council Tax and Adult Social Care precept which together with £300 million of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extra billion pounds to fund social care.
” Looking at The Treasury documents this turns out to mean that “ upper tier ” local authorities , that do most of the spending , will be able to increase Council Tax next year by up to five per cent – without needing a referendum .
That is well above inflation ( which is currently under one per cent ) .
The distinction between Council Tax and the “ Adult Social Care precept ” is illusory – even more so than the distinction between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all goes into the general pot , not a special fund .
Nor do councils have to impose either element of Council Tax increase .
Some try to imply otherwise with references about applying the “ adult social care precept on behalf of the Government ” .
The Government tends to be indulgent to misleading references of this nature .
Whatever bureaucratic locutions are resorted to , some of the council leaders I spoke to were nervous that people would still notice if their bills were pushed up .
One council leader in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” increase to the maximum allowed , but was nervous about the backlash : “ It ’ s shifting responsibility to us .
It ’ s allowing us to raise more money .
We can ’ t complain about that .
But it will not be an easy decision .
Many people are losing jobs .
You have households that used to have two incomes coming in with only one .
We have people taking wage cuts .
The self-employed being hit .
For Conservatives putting up the Council Tax is not something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households incomes are rising they shrug it off .
But if the family budget is already being squeezed there is more resentment .
The alternative would be some difficult choices that would involve scaling back what we do.
” The public sector pay freeze will help .
One county council leader from the north said : “ The payroll is a huge cost .
We had budgeted for a two per cent increase .
So a freeze will make a big difference .
That ’ s more important to us than the extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will try really hard to avoid using , anyway.
” One of the grim consequences of the lockdown has been an increase in the number of children in care .
Domestic violence has increased and thus the “ safeguarding ” requirement for children to be taken from their families .
This has huge financial implications .
One council leader told me : “ If people thought about the full picture there would be much more opposition to lockdowns .
The full consequences are not appreciated .
I do get angry about it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ early intervention .
Once children are in the care system it ’ s very difficult .
Placing them for adoption is very slow if it ever happens , there are all these bureaucratic obstacles .
Sort of institutional resistance .
The alternative of putting the children back with their families is dangerous .
So they just get stuck in care.
” Even when coronavirus is eliminated there is some doubt as to what being “ back to normal ” will mean .
One London borough council leader said : “ The statement did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t all disappear in April .
That there will be an impact for a few more months .
But if it is long term , I ask myself if our parking revenues will ever get back to normal .
With the Council Tax revenues if people lose their jobs then it gets paid in benefits .
What ’ s more difficult for our finances are the people who are still working but struggling .
Quite a few have cancelled the direct debits and just paying when they can afford to.
” Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into battle ” with his finance officers to resist increasing the Council Tax by the full amount : “ I will be told that if we don ’ t increase the Council Tax then the base will be lower which will restrict the amount of extra cash we can raise in future from these limits in percentage increases .
My counter to that is that we have been increasing the number of homes and are due to do so further.
” All those I spoke to welcome the Chancellor “ new Levelling Up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that : “ Any local area will be able to bid directly to fund local projects .
The fund will be managed jointly between the Treasury , the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government – taking a new , holistic , place-based approach to the needs of local areas .
Projects must have real impact .
They must be delivered within this Parliament .
And they must command local support , including from their Member of Parliament .
This is about funding the infrastructure of everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ railway stations .
Less traffic .
More libraries , museums , and galleries .
Better high streets and town centres .
This government is funding the things people want and places need.
” A council leader from the Midlands told me : “ I do like the approach of allowing local decisions on what transport improvements should be a priority .
We don ’ t need devolution – with extra layers of metro Mayors or whatever .
We need decentralisation to the local government already in place.
” Just one sour note was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” area : “ If it ’ s a ‘ Levelling Up Fund ’ then how come any council can apply ?
Is money from the ‘ Levelling Up Fund ’ going to be spent in Surrey ?
It ’ s ridiculous.
” Expectations are important .
The message I got was that though the Chancellor ’ s help was significant there was still a shortfall that they would have to cope with .
But then they never imagined that he would pick up the whole tab for the pandemic .
The consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been left with a difficult challenge – but not an impossible one .
Should they need inspiration , they can look at what has happened in Croydon should they fail .

Thespians are well known for their fear of the name Macbeth. Should someone utter it, the culprit must exit the theatre, spin around three times, spit, curse and then knock on the theatre door to be allowed back in. The correct form is to refer to “the Scottish play”. For council finance officers, the current equivalent is to utter a reference to “Croydon.” Best to protect sensibilities by reference to “a certain south London borough.” Croydon Council has not actually gone bankrupt – neither did Northamptonshire. But it is facing a struggle to balance its budget and thus avoid the men from the Ministry swooping in to take charge. Thus we have a Labour council, a Labour council, obliged to introduce what The Guardian describes as “drastic cuts.” Other councils – especially those who undertook imprudent investments in commercial property – are anxious to avoid getting into the same position.
Thus the Spending Review, which Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivered on Wednesday was listened to with particular interest by decision-makers in local government. I have spoken to several Conservative council leaders to gauge the reaction. They included district, county and unitary leaders from north and south. One caveat was that they tended to be waiting to see the “small print” – specifically details of what funding individual local authorities will get when the grant settlement is revealed next month. But there was a favourable reaction to the broad headline announcements. The Chancellor said:
“Local authorities will have extra flexibility for Council Tax and Adult Social Care precept which together with £300 million of new grant funding gives them access to an extra billion pounds to fund social care.”
Looking at The Treasury documents this turns out to mean that “upper tier” local authorities, that do most of the spending, will be able to increase Council Tax next year by up to five per cent – without needing a referendum. That is well above inflation (which is currently under one per cent). The distinction between Council Tax and the “Adult Social Care precept” is illusory – even more so than the distinction between Income Tax and National Insurance. It all goes into the general pot, not a special fund. Nor do councils have to impose either element of Council Tax increase. Some try to imply otherwise with references about applying the “adult social care precept on behalf of the Government”. The Government tends to be indulgent to misleading references of this nature.
Whatever bureaucratic locutions are resorted to, some of the council leaders I spoke to were nervous that people would still notice if their bills were pushed up. One council leader in the south said she would “probably” increase to the maximum allowed, but was nervous about the backlash:
“It’s shifting responsibility to us. It’s allowing us to raise more money. We can’t complain about that. But it will not be an easy decision. Many people are losing jobs. You have households that used to have two incomes coming in with only one. We have people taking wage cuts. The self-employed being hit. For Conservatives putting up the Council Tax is not something we like doing anyway. But if households incomes are rising they shrug it off. But if the family budget is already being squeezed there is more resentment. The alternative would be some difficult choices that would involve scaling back what we do.”
The public sector pay freeze will help. One county council leader from the north said:
“The payroll is a huge cost. We had budgeted for a two per cent increase. So a freeze will make a big difference. That’s more important to us than the extra flexibility on Council Tax – which I will try really hard to avoid using, anyway.”
One of the grim consequences of the lockdown has been an increase in the number of children in care. Domestic violence has increased and thus the “safeguarding” requirement for children to be taken from their families. This has huge financial implications. One council leader told me:
“If people thought about the full picture there would be much more opposition to lockdowns. The full consequences are not appreciated. I do get angry about it. We are trying to do more with early intervention. Once children are in the care system it’s very difficult. Placing them for adoption is very slow if it ever happens, there are all these bureaucratic obstacles. Sort of institutional resistance. The alternative of putting the children back with their families is dangerous. So they just get stuck in care.”
Even when coronavirus is eliminated there is some doubt as to what being “back to normal” will mean. One London borough council leader said:
“The statement did give some recognition that the problems won’t all disappear in April. That there will be an impact for a few more months. But if it is long term, I ask myself if our parking revenues will ever get back to normal. With the Council Tax revenues if people lose their jobs then it gets paid in benefits. What’s more difficult for our finances are the people who are still working but struggling. Quite a few have cancelled the direct debits and just paying when they can afford to.”
Another council leader was preparing to “go into battle” with his finance officers to resist increasing the Council Tax by the full amount:
“I will be told that if we don’t increase the Council Tax then the base will be lower which will restrict the amount of extra cash we can raise in future from these limits in percentage increases. My counter to that is that we have been increasing the number of homes and are due to do so further.”
All those I spoke to welcome the Chancellor “new Levelling Up Fund worth £4 billion.” Sunak explained that:
“Any local area will be able to bid directly to fund local projects. The fund will be managed jointly between the Treasury, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – taking a new, holistic, place-based approach to the needs of local areas. Projects must have real impact. They must be delivered within this Parliament. And they must command local support, including from their Member of Parliament. This is about funding the infrastructure of everyday life: A new bypass. Upgraded railway stations. Less traffic. More libraries, museums, and galleries. Better high streets and town centres. This government is funding the things people want and places need.”
A council leader from the Midlands told me:
“I do like the approach of allowing local decisions on what transport improvements should be a priority. We don’t need devolution – with extra layers of metro Mayors or whatever. We need decentralisation to the local government already in place.”
Just one sour note was struck – from a “red wall” area:
“If it’s a ‘Levelling Up Fund’ then how come any council can apply? Is money from the ‘Levelling Up Fund’ going to be spent in Surrey? It’s ridiculous.”
Expectations are important. The message I got was that though the Chancellor’s help was significant there was still a shortfall that they would have to cope with. But then they never imagined that he would pick up the whole tab for the pandemic. The consensus among council leaders is that they have been left with a difficult challenge – but not an impossible one. Should they need inspiration, they can look at what has happened in Croydon should they fail.