conservativehome--2020-11-16--Adrian Mason: Cancelling exams is a betrayal of Welsh children

Adrian Mason is a lawyer and a former Deputy Chair Political of the North Wales Conservatives .
The Welsh Labour Government has announced that it is scrapping GCSE , AS , and A-Level examinations for the second year in a row , in contrast to the decision to proceed with exams in England .
The consequences of the decision could well be a further deterioration in Welsh education as the system falls further behind its English counterpart .
Already bottom of the league of home nations in the PISA tables , Labour has a track record of using education as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being Welsh children .
Sarah Atherton , the Conservative MP for Wrexham , said : “ The Labour Government in Wales has a woeful record on education , and this simply continues the trend which has let down Welsh children again .
This is reflected in the international PISA scores , where Wales scores over 15 points lower in English , reading and mathematics .
Welsh Government needs to do better if they are to promote our young people ’ s life chances.
” The decision announced in the Welsh Senedd by Kirsty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another example of how the socialists in Wales run the government .
Engaged in a race to the bottom , they make decisions that are more to do with political ideology than the wellbeing of its citizens .
The decision not to run the exams in 2021 was announced , unusually , by Williams in the Sunday Times , two days before the formal decision was given to the Senedd .
In the article , she stated that she was ‘ not concerned ’ whether Welsh students would end up with higher grades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a matter for Gavin Williamson , the Education Secretary , to worry about .
However , what is becoming clear is that by deviating from the English position , the Welsh Government is potentially damaging the future of Welsh school students .
It is not the first time they have played politics with our examination system .
They recently took the decision to retain AS Levels as a stand-alone qualification , and not follow England with linear A Levels , provoking accusations that they had debased the ‘ gold standard ’ of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be ‘ different ’ ( which frequently seems to be all that inspires the decisions of Welsh Ministers ) followed on from a number of options presented to Williams by the regulator , Qualifications Wales .
The Minister chose the most extreme option and now assessments will be undertake in the classroom , under the supervision of teachers , not through formal examinations overseen by independent invigilators .
This leaves Williams open to the charge that these assessments will not be as robust as those taken in England under traditional methods .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Shadow Minister for Education said : “ The critical issue for me is that assessments are externally set and externally marked .
This will give them some comparability with previous years ’ exams and protect teachers against any accusations of unintended bias.
” The Vice Chancellor of Bangor University , Professor Iwan Davies , commenting on Williams ’ s announcement , said he was awaiting further details but providing the assessment is robustly externally moderated then that should not prejudice Welsh students when they apply to university .
However , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new rules , schools will be able to run ‘ teacher managed assessments ’ at a time of their choice between February and April next year .
These assessments , which are likely to be part-papers taken from the full examination , will be externally prepared and assessed by the Welsh examination board , WJEC , but overseen by teachers .
This raises two issues .
The first is that with such a wide window to take the assessments , it will be impossible to keep the contents of the papers confidential .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contents with the outside world ?
How can fairness be maintained so that all students have an equal opportunity ?
The second issue is that by not having independent invigilators , how can we be sure that these classroom assessments will ensure the same level of examination rigour and compliance which is required by OFQUAL , the regulator in England ?
These are questions that need answering before any semblance of confidence in the robustness of the system can be assured .
The consequence of getting it wrong once again after last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be that Wales ’ s students will potentially be becoming second class exam graduates .
To deny our young people the opportunity to excel in traditional examinations is a disservice to the hard work and dedication they put into their learning .
It is an illogical decision .
Williams says she consulted with a number of stakeholders before making the decision to not run the exams , amongst them the universities , but clearly as all the details of assessment have yet to be finalised , these discussions would have been based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains to be seen whether Higher Education institutions in England and the university admissions service , UCAS , retain confidence in the standard of A-Levels achieved by students in Wales compared to their counterparts in England , when the full implications of the Welsh system of assessment are fully thought out .
And what about those children who have worked hard to achieve their GCSEs so they can leave school and find a job ?
Will employers consider their assessed qualifications to be as robust and secure as the exam results of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the issue meanwhile consists of the usual hand-wringing contributions from Labour and the Welsh nationalists , Plaid Cymru .
They say it would be ‘ unfair ’ or ‘ stressful for children ’ to allow the exams to proceed .
Williams herself referred to ‘ the mental stress that the pandemic had already inflicted upon young people.
’ This is the type of propaganda we have grown used to in Wales .
The Welsh Government do our children a disservice by denying them the opportunity to compete in the real world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their socialist dogma .
They believe so fervently in their ideology that some Cardiff politicians are calling for Gavin Williamson to follow the Welsh example .
I sincerely hope that Williamson has more respect for English students than to inflict this lunacy on them .

Adrian Mason is a lawyer and a former Deputy Chair Political of the North Wales Conservatives.
The Welsh Labour Government has announced that it is scrapping GCSE, AS, and A-Level examinations for the second year in a row, in contrast to the decision to proceed with exams in England. The consequences of the decision could well be a further deterioration in Welsh education as the system falls further behind its English counterpart. Already bottom of the league of home nations in the PISA tables, Labour has a track record of using education as a political football, with the losers being Welsh children.
Sarah Atherton, the Conservative MP for Wrexham, said:
“The Labour Government in Wales has a woeful record on education, and this simply continues the trend which has let down Welsh children again. This is reflected in the international PISA scores, where Wales scores over 15 points lower in English, reading and mathematics. Welsh Government needs to do better if they are to promote our young people’s life chances.”
The decision announced in the Welsh Senedd by Kirsty Williams, the Education Minister, is another example of how the socialists in Wales run the government. Engaged in a race to the bottom, they make decisions that are more to do with political ideology than the wellbeing of its citizens.
The decision not to run the exams in 2021 was announced, unusually, by Williams in the Sunday Times, two days before the formal decision was given to the Senedd. In the article, she stated that she was ‘not concerned’ whether Welsh students would end up with higher grades than their English counterparts and that was a matter for Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, to worry about.
However, what is becoming clear is that by deviating from the English position, the Welsh Government is potentially damaging the future of Welsh school students. It is not the first time they have played politics with our examination system. They recently took the decision to retain AS Levels as a stand-alone qualification, and not follow England with linear A Levels, provoking accusations that they had debased the ‘gold standard’ of the qualification in Wales.
This latest attempt to be ‘different’ (which frequently seems to be all that inspires the decisions of Welsh Ministers) followed on from a number of options presented to Williams by the regulator, Qualifications Wales. The Minister chose the most extreme option and now assessments will be undertake in the classroom, under the supervision of teachers, not through formal examinations overseen by independent invigilators. This leaves Williams open to the charge that these assessments will not be as robust as those taken in England under traditional methods.
Suzy Davies, the Conservative Senedd member and Shadow Minister for Education said:
“The critical issue for me is that assessments are externally set and externally marked. This will give them some comparability with previous years’ exams and protect teachers against any accusations of unintended bias.”
The Vice Chancellor of Bangor University, Professor Iwan Davies, commenting on Williams’s announcement, said he was awaiting further details but providing the assessment is robustly externally moderated then that should not prejudice Welsh students when they apply to university.
However, this is currently far from clear. Under the new rules, schools will be able to run ‘teacher managed assessments’ at a time of their choice between February and April next year. These assessments, which are likely to be part-papers taken from the full examination, will be externally prepared and assessed by the Welsh examination board, WJEC, but overseen by teachers.
This raises two issues. The first is that with such a wide window to take the assessments, it will be impossible to keep the contents of the papers confidential. What is to stop students simply sharing the contents with the outside world? How can fairness be maintained so that all students have an equal opportunity? The second issue is that by not having independent invigilators, how can we be sure that these classroom assessments will ensure the same level of examination rigour and compliance which is required by OFQUAL, the regulator in England?
These are questions that need answering before any semblance of confidence in the robustness of the system can be assured. The consequence of getting it wrong once again after last year’s grade debacle, will be that Wales’s students will potentially be becoming second class exam graduates.
To deny our young people the opportunity to excel in traditional examinations is a disservice to the hard work and dedication they put into their learning. It is an illogical decision. Williams says she consulted with a number of stakeholders before making the decision to not run the exams, amongst them the universities, but clearly as all the details of assessment have yet to be finalised, these discussions would have been based on conjecture and not hard facts. It remains to be seen whether Higher Education institutions in England and the university admissions service, UCAS, retain confidence in the standard of A-Levels achieved by students in Wales compared to their counterparts in England, when the full implications of the Welsh system of assessment are fully thought out.
And what about those children who have worked hard to achieve their GCSEs so they can leave school and find a job? Will employers consider their assessed qualifications to be as robust and secure as the exam results of their English job-hunting competitors?
Welsh political debate on the issue meanwhile consists of the usual hand-wringing contributions from Labour and the Welsh nationalists, Plaid Cymru. They say it would be ‘unfair’ or ‘stressful for children’ to allow the exams to proceed. Williams herself referred to ‘the mental stress that the pandemic had already inflicted upon young people.’ This is the type of propaganda we have grown used to in Wales.
The Welsh Government do our children a disservice by denying them the opportunity to compete in the real world, rather than the fantasy world dreamed by their socialist dogma. They believe so fervently in their ideology that some Cardiff politicians are calling for Gavin Williamson to follow the Welsh example.
I sincerely hope that Williamson has more respect for English students than to inflict this lunacy on them.


conservativehome--2020-11-16--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Further Education Adviser – 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.
” “ The Prime Minister ’ s Council for Science and Technology ( CST ) is the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 Government will appoint an Independent Co-Chair who will share responsibility for chairing the Council with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser ( GCSA ) .
” “ The Insolvency Service is an Executive Agency of the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy , responsible for helping to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress , tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors .
It employs around 1,700 staff operating from 22 locations across Great Britain .
We are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Insolvency Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes forward its programme of transformation , delivers key Government commitments , and continues its record of strong performance against the backdrop of an uncertain economy following the Covid-19 pandemic… Headed by the non-executive Chair , the Board currently comprises a mix of Executive and Non-Executive Directors .
The Board is collectively responsible for the oversight of the operation of the Insolvency Service , with particular emphasis on its strategic direction , management controls , and corporate governance.
” “ The Chair will provide strong and effective leadership of the Commission in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of CHM has to lead an expert science advisory committee whose principal tasks are to advise the Licensing Authority ( the UK Health Ministers ) and its executive arm , the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , on matters relating to human medicinal products including the licensing of medicines that are safe , efficacious and of good quality .
The Chair needs to be able to synthesize complex information and present it authoritatively to ministers as required .
They have to be able to master a very wide range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which would be out of any one practitioner ’ s area of expertise , and chair to consensus a commission which comprises a range of eminent medical experts and some lay members.
” Remuneration : Up to £500 per meeting “ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery.. ” 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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.
” “ The Steering Board ’ s role is to : advise on external drivers , strategic direction and development of targets , within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awareness of the work of the UK Space Agency with stakeholders and partners.
” “ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
“ The Panel Chair will provide strategic direction and oversight for the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales .
Developing and maintaining a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Panel ’ s decisions are informed and fair , taking proper account of guidance 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

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: 22 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: 22 November
– – – – – – – – – –
Insolvency Service – Chair
“The Insolvency Service is an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, responsible for helping to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors. It employs around 1,700 staff operating from 22 locations across Great Britain. We are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Insolvency Service Board to lead the organisation as it takes forward its programme of transformation, delivers key Government commitments, and continues its record of strong performance against the backdrop of an uncertain economy following the Covid-19 pandemic… Headed by the non-executive Chair, the Board currently comprises a mix of Executive and Non-Executive Directors. The Board is collectively responsible for the oversight of the operation of the Insolvency Service, with particular emphasis on its strategic direction, management controls, and corporate governance.”
Time: 20 days per annum.
Remuneration: £18,000.
Closes: 22 November
– – – – – – – – – –
Commission on Human Medicines – Chair
“The Chair will provide strong and effective leadership of the Commission in the fulfilment of its remit. The Chair of CHM has to lead an expert science advisory committee whose principal tasks are to advise the Licensing Authority (the UK Health Ministers) and its executive arm, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), on matters relating to human medicinal products including the licensing of medicines that are safe, efficacious and of good quality. The Chair needs to be able to synthesize complex information and present it authoritatively to ministers as required. They have to be able to master a very wide range of medical and pharmacological issues, many of which would be out of any one practitioner’s area of expertise, and chair to consensus a commission which comprises a range of eminent medical experts and some lay members.”
Time: Approx. 33 days per annum.
Remuneration: Up to £500 per meeting
Closes: 23 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
– – – – – – – – – –
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


conservativehome--2020-11-17--Red Wall, go green?

Red Wall, go green?

In the spirit of Downing Street ’ s active new engagement with Conservative MPs , we suggest that it takes a special interest in the following : Simon Clarke , Alexander Stafford , Virginia Crosbie , Jo Gideon , and Mark Jenkinson .
Why ?
Because they may come in useful for the ten-point speech that Boris Johnson plans to make about the environment .
You may counter that Saving the Planet is not top of the list of concerns of voters in the former Red Wall , and that this initiative is a sign that the Prime Minister is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether that ’ s what such a move would mean .
But this may be to misread the purpose of the speech , which will apparently seek to tack post-Coronavirus recovery – “ building back better ” – to green jobs .
Our columnist Ryan Bourne argues that free markets should be used to help reduce emissions , not “ industrial strategies , picking winners , and seeing the green energy sector as some sort of jobs machine ” .
Whether you agree with this view or not , it is a fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pick winners , MPs want their constituents , and others , to be among them .
Clarke writes that heat pumps could create tens of thousands of jobs all over the country ” .
Stafford says “ green hydrogen is promoted as strongly for its regional growth benefits as much as its importance for decarbonising heat ” .
For Crosbie , new nuclear will help in “ driving economic growth outside of the south east of England ” .
Gideon supports “ accelerating the transition to electric vehicles ” .
Jenkinson is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes the case for coal – an older technology – writing in favour of Banks Mining ’ s application for an opencast coal mine on the Northumberland coast .
Nonetheless , he maintains that “ part of the route to net-zero is to bring back some of our carbon footprint that we ’ ve offshored by importing from countries that often have dubious environmental protections ” .
All of these MPs bar Clarke won their seats last December , and three of them are embedded in Red Wall country : Stafford in Rother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jenkinson in Workington .
Ynys Mon has not been held by the Conservatives since 1983 .
Clarke ’ s Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland seat was one of the Red Wall forerunners of 2017 .
In short , parts of this Blue Wall , as we ’ re now told it should be called , are going green .
Elsewhere , those critical of the strategy are a spectrum ranging from those who don ’ t accept that global warming is taking place at all… …To those who believe that it is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector , incentives and research are more reliable means of tackling it than targets , government , subsidies , regulation and tax rises .
They also point to the consequences for firms and families in lost jobs and higher bills , and to the role of the 2030 zero carbon emissions target .
It is certainly the case that this was a Theresa May legacy item issued with no clear plan of how it might be met .
But we are struck by the absence of noisy , organised protest to date from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brake to these green jobs to date is being applied principally by our old friend the Treasury , which has been counting up the potential cost of the Prime Minister ’ s plans .
These apparently include more zero-carbon housing , nuclear power , support for hydrogen and the phasing out of new diesel cars .
The Treasury will argue that there is less scope than ever for subsidies post-Covid .
Conservative MPs both in Red Wall seats and others will disagree .

In the spirit of Downing Street’s active new engagement with Conservative MPs, we suggest that it takes a special interest in the following: Simon Clarke, Alexander Stafford, Virginia Crosbie, Jo Gideon, and Mark Jenkinson.
Why? Because they may come in useful for the ten-point speech that Boris Johnson plans to make about the environment.
You may counter that Saving the Planet is not top of the list of concerns of voters in the former Red Wall, and that this initiative is a sign that the Prime Minister is tacking left.
Which invites debate about whether that’s what such a move would mean. But this may be to misread the purpose of the speech, which will apparently seek to tack post-Coronavirus recovery – “building back better” – to green jobs.
Our columnist Ryan Bourne argues that free markets should be used to help reduce emissions, not “industrial strategies, picking winners, and seeing the green energy sector as some sort of jobs machine”.
Whether you agree with this view or not, it is a fact of political life that once Government begins to pick winners, MPs want their constituents, and others, to be among them.
Clarke writes that heat pumps could create tens of thousands of jobs all over the country”. Stafford says “green hydrogen is promoted as strongly for its regional growth benefits as much as its importance for decarbonising heat”.
For Crosbie, new nuclear will help in “driving economic growth outside of the south east of England”. Gideon supports “accelerating the transition to electric vehicles”.
Jenkinson is the odd man out, since he makes the case for coal – an older technology – writing in favour of Banks Mining’s application for an opencast coal mine on the Northumberland coast.
Nonetheless, he maintains that “part of the route to net-zero is to bring back some of our carbon footprint that we’ve offshored by importing from countries that often have dubious environmental protections”.
All of these MPs bar Clarke won their seats last December, and three of them are embedded in Red Wall country: Stafford in Rother Valley, Gideon in Stoke Central, Jenkinson in Workington.
Ynys Mon has not been held by the Conservatives since 1983. Clarke’s Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland seat was one of the Red Wall forerunners of 2017.
In short, parts of this Blue Wall, as we’re now told it should be called, are going green. Elsewhere, those critical of the strategy are a spectrum ranging from those who don’t accept that global warming is taking place at all…
…To those who believe that it is, but think that markets, the private sector, incentives and research are more reliable means of tackling it than targets, government, subsidies, regulation and tax rises.
They also point to the consequences for firms and families in lost jobs and higher bills, and to the role of the 2030 zero carbon emissions target.
It is certainly the case that this was a Theresa May legacy item issued with no clear plan of how it might be met. But we are struck by the absence of noisy, organised protest to date from consumers and business.
(Though as with regulation more widely it’s bigger business that has the capacity to absorb costs that smaller firms don’t – and so has less of a stake in dissent.)
Indeed, the brake to these green jobs to date is being applied principally by our old friend the Treasury, which has been counting up the potential cost of the Prime Minister’s plans.
These apparently include more zero-carbon housing, nuclear power, support for hydrogen and the phasing out of new diesel cars.
The Treasury will argue that there is less scope than ever for subsidies post-Covid. Conservative MPs both in Red Wall seats and others will disagree.


conservativehome--2020-11-17--Profile: Carrie Symonds, experienced Tory adviser turned Prime Ministerial consort – loyal to her fr

Profile: Carrie Symonds, experienced Tory adviser turned Prime Ministerial consort – loyal to her friends, detested by her enemies

Mary Wilson , Audrey Callaghan , Denis Thatcher , Norma Major , Cherie Blair , Sarah Brown , Samantha Cameron , Philip May and Carrie Symonds are the nine people who over the last half century have borne the often heavy burden of being the Prime Minister ’ s consort .
The world does not yet know what to make of Symonds : which of two competing narratives , one highly favourable , the other almost unbelievably dismissive , to accept .
A minister for whom she worked as a special adviser told ConHome : “ She was fantastic – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun.
” He pointed out that long before she met Johnson , she was a dedicated Conservative activist : “ Carrie is a Tory through and through – not some arriviste.
” Many Conservatives , including many Conservative MPs , believe Symonds showed excellent political judgment by urging Johnson to sack two of the most senior members of his Downing Street staff , Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain , at the end of last week .
For although Cummings had masterminded the Vote Leave campaign , and Cain had worked for it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative MPs , and both of them tended to erupt in fury when their orders were questioned .
Last Friday , out the turbulent advisers went , but not quietly .
They and their friends briefed most bitterly not against Johnson , or against the many others who wanted them gone , but against Symonds , who in many ways presented a softer target , for she could be accused of getting ideas above her station , harassing the Prime Minister and impeding the proper running of the Government .
“ Close pals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wooding of The Sun on Sunday : According to Simon Walters , writing in yesterday ’ s Daily Mail : A second source yesterday told ConHome that Symonds would ring Johnson over and over again until he did what she wanted , and insisted that Cummings and Cain had defended the Prime Minister against an unreasonable demand : “ It ’ s pretty bad to be calling the editor of The Times on behalf of your girlfriend ’ s dog.
” Millions of dog lovers will understand why Symonds was so distressed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Dog Lovers ’ Party , were still with us , he would surely contend there could be no better reason to ring the editor of The Times .
H.H .
Asquith , Prime Minister from 1908-16 , remarked in his memoirs : The same could be said of the role of Prime Minister ’ s consort .
Symonds can make it up as she goes along , is indeed obliged to do so .
She is 24 years younger than Johnson , and the first person to live openly at Downing Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though they are engaged .
In early April , when he went into intensive care , Symonds was terrified he was going to die .
At the end of that month , she gave birth to their first child , Wilfred .
She hopes to have more children .
Her own parents , Josephine Mcaffee ( née Lawrence ) , a lawyer who did some work for The Independent , and Matthew Symonds , a founder of that paper , were not married to each other .
Anne Symonds , mother of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , later Lord Ardwick , were likewise political journalists of note , and unmarried to each other .
So for Carrie Symonds to feel an affinity with a political journalist of bohemian habits is not entirely surprising .
She was born in London in 1988 , and educated at Godolphin and Latymer School and at Warwick University , where she took a First in Art History and Theatre Studies .
Symonds has referred in a tweet to one of her formative early experiences , at the International Fund for Animal Welfare : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many moons ago , that first got me hooked on all things animal welfare and wanting to do my bit.
” She is a passionate environmentalist and defender of animal rights .
In her first speech after moving into Number Ten , delivered at Birdfair 19 , she said : That is pretty much her only recorded speech .
Last Saturday afternoon , when the PM programme on Radio 4 did a profile of her , it found there are “ relatively few recordings ” of her .
In another tweet , posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Zac Goldsmith lost the by-election in Richmond Park where he stood as an Independent , having resigned his seat as a Conservative in protest at the go-ahead being given for the third runway at Heathrow , Symonds declared : She worked in 2010-11 as Campaign and Marketing Director for Goldsmith , followed by a series of increasingly senior press jobs at CCHQ , and spells as a special adviser to John Whittingdale and Sajid Javid .
One observer recalled that during the general election of 2015 , when she was Head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her as “ the best thing since sliced bread ” .
In 2016 Symonds demonstrated her independence of mind by becoming one of the handful of SpAds to back Vote Leave , at whose headquarters she appears first to have met Johnson .
During the general election of 2017 she ran Goldsmith ’ s campaign to regain Richmond Park .
CCHQ believed Goldsmith was going to win easily , so turned off VoteSource in Richmond Park and commanded that resources be redeployed in order to hold off the Lib Dem challenge in Kingston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely hard and knew Richmond Park was on a knife-edge , had the wit to defy CCHQ , and had copied VoteSource – a precaution which as Mark Wallace reported for ConHome , other associations were to take before the local elections of 2018 , in order to guard against another withdrawal of this essential record of canvass returns .
Goldsmith scraped home in Richmond Park by 45 votes , while Ed Davie recaptured Kingston & Surbiton for the Lib Dems by 4,124 votes .
Symonds had made the right call , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Here she soon fell out with one of Crosby ’ s protégés , Iain Carter , who was at this time Political Director , and is now Director of Research .
“ They both wanted to run the show , ” one observer said .
“ Carrie had very strong views about people .
She was unspeakably bad news.
” Symonds resigned in August 2018 , after being reprimanded for poor performance .
She was also accused of briefing against the Government of the then Prime Minister , Theresa May , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses claims .
In January 2018 , she had learned that John Worboys , the taxi cab rapist , was due for early release .
She had herself been drugged by Worboys in 2007 , when she was only 19 years old .
The Ministry of Justice said nothing could be done to challenge the Parole Board ’ s verdict .
Symonds was one of the women who had the courage to launch a crowd-funded bid to overturn the decision , which they succeeded in doing .
Soon after she left CCHQ she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charity funded by Bloomberg .
In September 2018 Johnson and Marina Wheeler , to whom he had been married for 25 years and with whom he has four children , announced that they were to divorce , and Johnson ’ s new relationship with Symonds became known .
Her entry into Downing Street , and exceptional access to the Prime Minister , will have disconcerted those at CCHQ who had formed a low opinion of her .
A Government source yesterday ridiculed Symonds ’ critics for moving from describing her as “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macbeth ” , and added that both of these descriptions are “ absurd ” .
The source added that she does not see official papers , can not block appointments , “ is not in the slightest bit regal ” , but is instead witty , charming and self-effacing , and has good judgement : “ The PM has said the reason he ’ s PM is that she ’ s there.
” A former colleague at CCHQ is less impressed : “ She ’ s well versed in making people feel good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more obsessed with status than with achieving anything .
“ When she was having a very torrid time at CCHQ , she talked round lots of Cabinet ministers to support her.
” The media finds it impossible to reach a just assessment of Johnson ’ s strengths and weaknesses , because it order to appreciate his virtues , it is necessary to approach him in a spirit of sympathy , whereupon one is immediately open to the charge of sycophancy , and of overlooking his faults .
But if , in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enumerating his faults , one is liable never to get round to admitting that he has any virtues .
A version of this problem may apply to Symonds .
If you are her friend , and she can trust you , she will be all sweetness and light .
If she sees you as an enemy , or suspects you are going to come between her and the Prime Minister , she will brief against you with a ferocity which may seem unhinged , but which is born , perhaps , from an @ @ @ @ @ @

Mary Wilson, Audrey Callaghan, Denis Thatcher, Norma Major, Cherie Blair, Sarah Brown, Samantha Cameron, Philip May and Carrie Symonds are the nine people who over the last half century have borne the often heavy burden of being the Prime Minister’s consort.
The world does not yet know what to make of Symonds: which of two competing narratives, one highly favourable, the other almost unbelievably dismissive, to accept.
A minister for whom she worked as a special adviser told ConHome: “She was fantastic – utterly loyal, very sound and great fun.”
He pointed out that long before she met Johnson, she was a dedicated Conservative activist: “Carrie is a Tory through and through – not some arriviste.”
Many Conservatives, including many Conservative MPs, believe Symonds showed excellent political judgment by urging Johnson to sack two of the most senior members of his Downing Street staff, Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain, at the end of last week.
For although Cummings had masterminded the Vote Leave campaign, and Cain had worked for it, neither of them had any respect for Conservative MPs, and both of them tended to erupt in fury when their orders were questioned.
Last Friday, out the turbulent advisers went, but not quietly. They and their friends briefed most bitterly not against Johnson, or against the many others who wanted them gone, but against Symonds, who in many ways presented a softer target, for she could be accused of getting ideas above her station, harassing the Prime Minister and impeding the proper running of the Government.
“Close pals” of Cummings and Cain told David Wooding of The Sun on Sunday:
“Carrie wants to be a new Princess Di character. She’s already got her own spin doctor and own team of people and seems to think she is the most important person in No 10. “It’s all about the court of Carrie. She’s not helping Boris at all. Everything she does is about her and not him.”
According to Simon Walters, writing in yesterday’s Daily Mail:
“Insiders said the acrimony between Miss Symonds and Mr Cummings and Mr Cain was obvious as far back as March. “It was then that she allegedly tried to stop the Prime Minister hosting a Covid crisis meeting to deal instead with a newspaper report claiming she wanted to get rid of their beloved Jack Russell cross Dilyn. “Mr Cummings ‘forced’ Mr Johnson to overrule his fiancée, it was claimed. He told No 10 officials to block any phone calls from Miss Symonds to the Prime Minister about the dog… “Miss Symonds was said to be livid at a report in The Times which claimed that she no longer liked the animal. “She went on Twitter to denounce it, saying: ‘Total load of c***. There has never been a happier, healthier and more loved dog than Dilyn.'”
A second source yesterday told ConHome that Symonds would ring Johnson over and over again until he did what she wanted, and insisted that Cummings and Cain had defended the Prime Minister against an unreasonable demand: “It’s pretty bad to be calling the editor of The Times on behalf of your girlfriend’s dog.”
Millions of dog lovers will understand why Symonds was so distressed, and if Auberon Waugh, founder of The Dog Lovers’ Party, were still with us, he would surely contend there could be no better reason to ring the editor of The Times.
H.H. Asquith, Prime Minister from 1908-16, remarked in his memoirs:
“The office of the Prime Minister is what its holder chooses and is able to make of it.”
The same could be said of the role of Prime Minister’s consort. Symonds can make it up as she goes along, is indeed obliged to do so.
She is 24 years younger than Johnson, and the first person to live openly at Downing Street with the Prime Minister without being married, though they are engaged.
In early April, when he went into intensive care, Symonds was terrified he was going to die. At the end of that month, she gave birth to their first child, Wilfred. She hopes to have more children.
Her own parents, Josephine Mcaffee (née Lawrence), a lawyer who did some work for The Independent, and Matthew Symonds, a founder of that paper, were not married to each other.
Anne Symonds, mother of Matthew, and his father John Beavan, later Lord Ardwick, were likewise political journalists of note, and unmarried to each other.
So for Carrie Symonds to feel an affinity with a political journalist of bohemian habits is not entirely surprising.
She was born in London in 1988, and educated at Godolphin and Latymer School and at Warwick University, where she took a First in Art History and Theatre Studies.
Symonds has referred in a tweet to one of her formative early experiences, at the International Fund for Animal Welfare: “It was my internship at IFAW, many moons ago, that first got me hooked on all things animal welfare and wanting to do my bit.”
She is a passionate environmentalist and defender of animal rights. In her first speech after moving into Number Ten, delivered at Birdfair 19, she said:
“Trophy hunting is meant to be a prize… Trophy hunting is the opposite of that… It is cruel, it is sick, is is cowardly, and I will never ever understand the motives behind it.”
That is pretty much her only recorded speech. Last Saturday afternoon, when the PM programme on Radio 4 did a profile of her, it found there are “relatively few recordings” of her.
In another tweet, posted on 2nd December 2016, the day after Zac Goldsmith lost the by-election in Richmond Park where he stood as an Independent, having resigned his seat as a Conservative in protest at the go-ahead being given for the third runway at Heathrow, Symonds declared:
“My first job in politics was working for @ZacGoldsmith & not sure I’d have worked for the Tories if it hadn’t been for him. Owe him a lot”
She worked in 2010-11 as Campaign and Marketing Director for Goldsmith, followed by a series of increasingly senior press jobs at CCHQ, and spells as a special adviser to John Whittingdale and Sajid Javid.
One observer recalled that during the general election of 2015, when she was Head of Broadcasting at CCHQ, Lynton Crosby regarded her as “the best thing since sliced bread”.
In 2016 Symonds demonstrated her independence of mind by becoming one of the handful of SpAds to back Vote Leave, at whose headquarters she appears first to have met Johnson.
During the general election of 2017 she ran Goldsmith’s campaign to regain Richmond Park.
CCHQ believed Goldsmith was going to win easily, so turned off VoteSource in Richmond Park and commanded that resources be redeployed in order to hold off the Lib Dem challenge in Kingston & Surbiton.
Symonds, who worked extremely hard and knew Richmond Park was on a knife-edge, had the wit to defy CCHQ, and had copied VoteSource – a precaution which as Mark Wallace reported for ConHome, other associations were to take before the local elections of 2018, in order to guard against another withdrawal of this essential record of canvass returns.
Goldsmith scraped home in Richmond Park by 45 votes, while Ed Davie recaptured Kingston & Surbiton for the Lib Dems by 4,124 votes. Symonds had made the right call, and was made Director of Communications at CCHQ.
Here she soon fell out with one of Crosby’s protégés, Iain Carter, who was at this time Political Director, and is now Director of Research.
“They both wanted to run the show,” one observer said. “Carrie had very strong views about people. She was unspeakably bad news.”
Symonds resigned in August 2018, after being reprimanded for poor performance. She was also accused of briefing against the Government of the then Prime Minister, Theresa May, and questions had earlier been raised about her expenses claims.
In January 2018, she had learned that John Worboys, the taxi cab rapist, was due for early release. She had herself been drugged by Worboys in 2007, when she was only 19 years old.
The Ministry of Justice said nothing could be done to challenge the Parole Board’s verdict. Symonds was one of the women who had the courage to launch a crowd-funded bid to overturn the decision, which they succeeded in doing.
Soon after she left CCHQ she joined Oceana, a global marine protection charity funded by Bloomberg.
In September 2018 Johnson and Marina Wheeler, to whom he had been married for 25 years and with whom he has four children, announced that they were to divorce, and Johnson’s new relationship with Symonds became known.
Her entry into Downing Street, and exceptional access to the Prime Minister, will have disconcerted those at CCHQ who had formed a low opinion of her.
A Government source yesterday ridiculed Symonds’ critics for moving from describing her as “a bimbo” to calling her “Lady Macbeth”, and added that both of these descriptions are “absurd”.
The source added that she does not see official papers, cannot block appointments, “is not in the slightest bit regal”, but is instead witty, charming and self-effacing, and has good judgement: “The PM has said the reason he’s PM is that she’s there.”
A former colleague at CCHQ is less impressed: “She’s well versed in making people feel good about themselves, but she’s more obsessed with status than with achieving anything.
“When she was having a very torrid time at CCHQ, she talked round lots of Cabinet ministers to support her.”
The media finds it impossible to reach a just assessment of Johnson’s strengths and weaknesses, because it order to appreciate his virtues, it is necessary to approach him in a spirit of sympathy, whereupon one is immediately open to the charge of sycophancy, and of overlooking his faults.
But if, in order to guard against sycophancy, one begins by enumerating his faults, one is liable never to get round to admitting that he has any virtues.
A version of this problem may apply to Symonds. If you are her friend, and she can trust you, she will be all sweetness and light.
If she sees you as an enemy, or suspects you are going to come between her and the Prime Minister, she will brief against you with a ferocity which may seem unhinged, but which is born, perhaps, from an acute awareness of her vulnerability.


conservativehome--2020-11-17--Jonathan Werran: To build back, we need strong and empowered communities

Jonathan Werran is the chief executive of Localis .
At the outset of this crisis , on March 20th , Rishi Sunak , the Chancellor of the Exchequer , said : “ We want to look back on this time and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency.
” Eight months on , the cumulative impact of the countless acts of local kindness made by myriad groups of individuals and communities who have risen to the challenges of the coronavirus year , simply can ’ t be overstated .
Showing a degree of courage , wisdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love in the places they live , community groups have sprung into action and continued to exert themselves bravely and vigorously to serve the needs of others .
The range of bottom-up initiatives has been truly inspiring in breadth of scope , innovation , and dedication .
In this , we see the strong beating heart of genuine local self-government .
This should come as little or no surprise to ConHome readers .
“ To love the little platoon we belong to in society is the first principle ( the germ as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote Edmund Burke .
“ It is the first link in the series by which we proceed towards a love of country and mankind.
” Not wishing to dwell too much on the courtier battles being played out in SW1 , but we have surely now reached peak centralism .
And the example of our communities in action holds up a mirror to the kind of society we want to be .
Independent , family-focused , and resilient , while acting with an awareness of responsibilities and duties to serving neighbours in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of identity , yet outward-looking and associative .
If Johnson ’ s government is looking to reset and pivot to the kinder and greener , exalting the role of community and family as much as ‘ grands projets ’ and levelling up growth schemes , then we need to think about the social infrastructure that needs to be laid in parallel tracks alongside the billion pound big ticket items .
At Localis , we agree with the findings of Danny Kruger ’ s ‘ Levelling Up Our Communities ’ report .
Maximising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 recovery and the government ’ s levelling up agenda thereafter suggests a space in which hyperlocal organisations should be given freedom to operate .
Communities need both powers and resources to step up with a stand alone spirit if they are to create public value .
We need to allow communities to self-organise , take back control locally of assets , and deliver unique local services where they have desire and capability .
So , in our report which is published today “ Renewing Neighbourhood Democracy – Creating Powerful Communities ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities mobilised around local rugby clubs and arts projects as much as in any predefined emergency response committees .
And looking forward , we think ahead to what are now the best opportunities for giving our communities the chance to cohere , flourish , and renew our society and economy from the ground up .
Here ’ s how we see it at Localis .
Firstly , the forthcoming Local Recovery and Devolution White Paper offers an immediate point of departure for reform .
It should codify the role of councils in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of creating clear , statutory pathways to community autonomy .
For example , the white paper should identify areas of service delivery that could be co-designed , run in partnership , or devolved entirely to the neighbourhood-level , particularly if the size of local authorities is to increase with reforms .
In doubling down on devolution , a statutory role should be created in local authorities for managing the process of subsidiarity and community relations , serving as a single point of contact and information for community groups looking to establish forms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together ?
Firstly the ‘ pop-up parish ’ or Community Improvement District model should be extended as a statutory community right alongside the previous rights established in the Localism Act 2011 .
And pathways should be developed for communities to take control of non-core service spending at neighbourhood level through initiatives like the People ’ s Budget in Frome Town Council .
Secondly , to enshrine the principle of double devolution and expand upon the Localism Act ’ s establishment of Community Rights , the white paper should extend these rights to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social infrastructure .
In practical terms , all assets that qualify as having community value under the current system should be designated as social infrastructure .
And if a community group decides to take on a community asset , they should be supported , both procedurally and financially , in their endeavours to do so .
The introduction of localised lockdowns has further emphasised the importance of front-line action from community groups .
So thirdly , the government should urgently renew and extend financial support for voluntary , community and social enterprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , particularly as the reintroduction of lockdown measures escalates .
To ensure a fast and targeted response , a fund could be distributed to community organisations by local councils in lockdown areas in a manner similar to the distribution of the pandemic-related Small Business Grant Fund .
As with the Small Business Grant Fund , the focus should be on rescue at any cost for the sake of national resilience , and the overall fund should be matched to need rather than to a specific cash limit .
Fourthly and finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and properly resource endeavours to empower communities in a manner that is participatory and gets results , central government should commit to establishing a Community Wealth Fund – along the lines called for in Danny Kruger ’ s idea of a ‘ Levelling Up Communties Fund ’ .
The fund would specifically target the social and civic infrastructure of ‘ left behind ’ neighbourhoods across the country .
It would be an independent endowment that would be distributed over the course of ten to 15 years , to include investment at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and , as part of the package , support would be provided to build and sustain the social capital of communities and their capacity to be involved .
In this way , we lay the foundations for strong and empowered communities and so build back and recover the right way up .

Jonathan Werran is the chief executive of Localis.
At the outset of this crisis, on March 20th, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:
“We want to look back on this time and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency.”
Eight months on, the cumulative impact of the countless acts of local kindness made by myriad groups of individuals and communities who have risen to the challenges of the coronavirus year, simply can’t be overstated.
Showing a degree of courage, wisdom, and compassion for the people they love in the places they live, community groups have sprung into action and continued to exert themselves bravely and vigorously to serve the needs of others. The range of bottom-up initiatives has been truly inspiring in breadth of scope, innovation, and dedication. In this, we see the strong beating heart of genuine local self-government.
This should come as little or no surprise to ConHome readers. “To love the little platoon we belong to in society is the first principle (the germ as it were) of public affections,” wrote Edmund Burke. “It is the first link in the series by which we proceed towards a love of country and mankind.”
Not wishing to dwell too much on the courtier battles being played out in SW1, but we have surely now reached peak centralism. And the example of our communities in action holds up a mirror to the kind of society we want to be. Independent, family-focused, and resilient, while acting with an awareness of responsibilities and duties to serving neighbours in our midst. Confident of place and proud of identity, yet outward-looking and associative.
If Johnson’s government is looking to reset and pivot to the kinder and greener, exalting the role of community and family as much as ‘grands projets’ and levelling up growth schemes, then we need to think about the social infrastructure that needs to be laid in parallel tracks alongside the billion pound big ticket items.
At Localis, we agree with the findings of Danny Kruger’s ‘Levelling Up Our Communities’ report. Maximising the role played by community groups in the COVID-19 recovery and the government’s levelling up agenda thereafter suggests a space in which hyperlocal organisations should be given freedom to operate. Communities need both powers and resources to step up with a stand alone spirit if they are to create public value. We need to allow communities to self-organise, take back control locally of assets, and deliver unique local services where they have desire and capability.
So, in our report which is published today “Renewing Neighbourhood Democracy – Creating Powerful Communities”, we think back to the pandemic when communities mobilised around local rugby clubs and arts projects as much as in any predefined emergency response committees. And looking forward, we think ahead to what are now the best opportunities for giving our communities the chance to cohere, flourish, and renew our society and economy from the ground up. Here’s how we see it at Localis.
Firstly, the forthcoming Local Recovery and Devolution White Paper offers an immediate point of departure for reform. It should codify the role of councils in a facilitative local state by beginning the process of creating clear, statutory pathways to community autonomy. For example, the white paper should identify areas of service delivery that could be co-designed, run in partnership, or devolved entirely to the neighbourhood-level, particularly if the size of local authorities is to increase with reforms.
In doubling down on devolution, a statutory role should be created in local authorities for managing the process of subsidiarity and community relations, serving as a single point of contact and information for community groups looking to establish forms of local control.
How to glue this together? Firstly the ‘pop-up parish’ or Community Improvement District model should be extended as a statutory community right alongside the previous rights established in the Localism Act 2011. And pathways should be developed for communities to take control of non-core service spending at neighbourhood level through initiatives like the People’s Budget in Frome Town Council.
Secondly, to enshrine the principle of double devolution and expand upon the Localism Act’s establishment of Community Rights, the white paper should extend these rights to give the community greater power over local assets and social infrastructure.
In practical terms, all assets that qualify as having community value under the current system should be designated as social infrastructure. And if a community group decides to take on a community asset, they should be supported, both procedurally and financially, in their endeavours to do so.
The introduction of localised lockdowns has further emphasised the importance of front-line action from community groups. So thirdly, the government should urgently renew and extend financial support for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to respond to the pandemic, particularly as the reintroduction of lockdown measures escalates.
To ensure a fast and targeted response, a fund could be distributed to community organisations by local councils in lockdown areas in a manner similar to the distribution of the pandemic-related Small Business Grant Fund. As with the Small Business Grant Fund, the focus should be on rescue at any cost for the sake of national resilience, and the overall fund should be matched to need rather than to a specific cash limit.
Fourthly and finally, in order to strengthen social infrastructure, and properly resource endeavours to empower communities in a manner that is participatory and gets results, central government should commit to establishing a Community Wealth Fund – along the lines called for in Danny Kruger’s idea of a ‘Levelling Up Communties Fund’.
The fund would specifically target the social and civic infrastructure of ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods across the country. It would be an independent endowment that would be distributed over the course of ten to 15 years, to include investment at the hyperlocal level, decision-making would be community-led, and, as part of the package, support would be provided to build and sustain the social capital of communities and their capacity to be involved.
In this way, we lay the foundations for strong and empowered communities and so build back and recover the right way up.


conservativehome--2020-11-17--The Government is up against the clock to justify its next set of restrictions – as the Covid Recove

The Government is up against the clock to justify its next set of restrictions – as the Covid Recovery Group grows

Will they or won ’ t they ?
Is the question being asked of MPs in regards to whether they will extend the current lockdown restrictions in England .
Although these measures are due to expire on December 2 , at yesterday ’ s press conference , Matt Hancock told the nation that it was “ too early to know ” if they had worked .
The Government ’ s post-lockdown plan is to return to the tiered system of lockdown .
But even that could shift .
At the same press conference as Hancock , Susan Hopkins of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the works when she said there had been “ little effect from Tier 1 ” , and that the Government might have to “ think about strengthening ” tiers “ to get us through the winter months until the vaccine is available for everyone.
” Despite some encouraging statistics about the nation ’ s battle with Covid – intensive care admissions have fallen , and hospitals are running at “ normal capacity ” , according to Carl Heneghan , a professor director of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University – there are signs the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to imposing more restrictions .
There was the fact that Rishi Sunak recently expanded the furlough scheme so that it will last until March .
More recently , a newspaper printed emails from George Pascoe-Watson , Chairman of Portland Communications , who had been advising Dido Harding and James Bethell on strategy and communications , revealing he had been “ been privately advised that tier 2 restrictions will be imposed on London until at least the spring of next year.
” In short , it wouldn ’ t be unreasonable to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being at a manageable level ) : the Government will phase out the lockdown ( thereby keeping its promise and avoiding the difficulties of an extension being approved ) but then move parts of the country into Tier 2 , 3 or 4 ( as has just been imposed on 11 local authorities in Scotland ) – with the measures in place until spring .
Therefore , many will be left feeling that they are in de facto lockdown .
One reason the Government might feel emboldened to keep restrictions going is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the knowledge that mass testing is being rapidly developed .
It ’ s far easier to ask people to “ sit tight ” if they know an exit strategy is on its way .
But one group that is going to present a big headache for the Government is the anti-lockdown Covid Recovery Group ( CRG ) , whose members will vote on the next set of restrictions .
The CRG has been steadily growing in numbers , now standing at around 70 members , according to reports .
Depending on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what restrictions the Government next wants to impose , it may have to increasingly call on Labour to get the voting numbers .
And it ’ s not only the idea of a national lockdown that the CRG is opposed to .
Its members are also sceptical of softer restrictions ; or , at least , they want them to be justified .
Mark Harper , CRG chairman , has called some of the previous Covid-19 measures “ arbitrary ” , and the group is unlikely to ease off the pressure because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy chairman , has said that “ we must find a more sustainable way of leading our lives until a vaccine is rolled out ” .
As far as the CRG is concerned , days , weeks and months are too long in terms of waiting for Pfizer to come to the rescue .
The group ’ s main demand is that the Government is more transparent with information on the cost of lockdown .
It wants a full-cost benefit analysis of restrictions on a regional basis , and for the Government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that members of the public can make up their own mind .
In short , the CRG is trying to place the burden of proof onto the Government to explain why it ’ s imposing any restrictions – as opposed to MPs having to argue for them to come off .
As Harper tells me : “ When the Government brings forward its proposals for what follows the lockdown , it ’ s incumbent on it to show that for every restriction it wants to put in place , the good done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both from a health perspective and an economic perspective.
” Given that December 2 is approaching the Christmas period , the pressure will be all the greater for the Government to explain the rationale for each set of restrictions , as even more closures for shops could signal their end .
MPs will also be after more information for how the Government ’ s mass testing programmes are coming along – one of the main ways it can reopen the economy until the vaccine arrives .
Interestingly , the Government could be about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the ones Angela Merkel has experienced in Germany .
Merkel had wanted to tighten Germany ’ s restrictions , but failed to win the support of the country ’ s state leaders .
Thus she has had to postpone decision making in this regard .
In essence , just as the public support for lockdown might be tiring , so is MPs ’ .
Either way , the next couple of weeks will be interesting to say the least .
• None Austria has imposed a second full lockdown after it recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid in the world ( 7,000 daily cases on average last week ) .
• France has extended its national lockdown , which was due to end on December 2 .

Will they or won’t they? Is the question being asked of MPs in regards to whether they will extend the current lockdown restrictions in England. Although these measures are due to expire on December 2, at yesterday’s press conference, Matt Hancock told the nation that it was “too early to know” if they had worked.
The Government’s post-lockdown plan is to return to the tiered system of lockdown. But even that could shift. At the same press conference as Hancock, Susan Hopkins of Public Health England, threw a spanner in the works when she said there had been “little effect from Tier 1”, and that the Government might have to “think about strengthening” tiers “to get us through the winter months until the vaccine is available for everyone.”
Despite some encouraging statistics about the nation’s battle with Covid – intensive care admissions have fallen, and hospitals are running at “normal capacity”, according to Carl Heneghan, a professor director of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University – there are signs the Government will play it safe when it comes to imposing more restrictions.
There was the fact that Rishi Sunak recently expanded the furlough scheme so that it will last until March. More recently, a newspaper printed emails from George Pascoe-Watson, Chairman of Portland Communications, who had been advising Dido Harding and James Bethell on strategy and communications, revealing he had been “been privately advised that tier 2 restrictions will be imposed on London until at least the spring of next year.”
In short, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to make the following prediction (contingent on hospitalisations being at a manageable level): the Government will phase out the lockdown (thereby keeping its promise and avoiding the difficulties of an extension being approved) but then move parts of the country into Tier 2, 3 or 4 (as has just been imposed on 11 local authorities in Scotland) – with the measures in place until spring. Therefore, many will be left feeling that they are in de facto lockdown.
One reason the Government might feel emboldened to keep restrictions going is the news of two vaccines, as well as the knowledge that mass testing is being rapidly developed. It’s far easier to ask people to “sit tight” if they know an exit strategy is on its way.
But one group that is going to present a big headache for the Government is the anti-lockdown Covid Recovery Group (CRG), whose members will vote on the next set of restrictions. The CRG has been steadily growing in numbers, now standing at around 70 members, according to reports. Depending on how much bigger this figure gets, and what restrictions the Government next wants to impose, it may have to increasingly call on Labour to get the voting numbers.
And it’s not only the idea of a national lockdown that the CRG is opposed to. Its members are also sceptical of softer restrictions; or, at least, they want them to be justified. Mark Harper, CRG chairman, has called some of the previous Covid-19 measures “arbitrary”, and the group is unlikely to ease off the pressure because of a vaccine. Steve Baker, its deputy chairman, has said that “we must find a more sustainable way of leading our lives until a vaccine is rolled out”. As far as the CRG is concerned, days, weeks and months are too long in terms of waiting for Pfizer to come to the rescue.
The group’s main demand is that the Government is more transparent with information on the cost of lockdown. It wants a full-cost benefit analysis of restrictions on a regional basis, and for the Government to publish the models that inform policies – so that members of the public can make up their own mind. In short, the CRG is trying to place the burden of proof onto the Government to explain why it’s imposing any restrictions – as opposed to MPs having to argue for them to come off.
As Harper tells me: “When the Government brings forward its proposals for what follows the lockdown, it’s incumbent on it to show that for every restriction it wants to put in place, the good done by the restriction outweighs the harm, both from a health perspective and an economic perspective.”
Given that December 2 is approaching the Christmas period, the pressure will be all the greater for the Government to explain the rationale for each set of restrictions, as even more closures for shops could signal their end. MPs will also be after more information for how the Government’s mass testing programmes are coming along – one of the main ways it can reopen the economy until the vaccine arrives.
Interestingly, the Government could be about to run into difficulties not so disimilar from the ones Angela Merkel has experienced in Germany. Merkel had wanted to tighten Germany’s restrictions, but failed to win the support of the country’s state leaders. Thus she has had to postpone decision making in this regard. In essence, just as the public support for lockdown might be tiring, so is MPs’.
Either way, the next couple of weeks will be interesting to say the least.
Elsewhere:


conservativehome--2020-11-17--Andy Street: We must do more to save struggling town centres. Tackling business rates is a good plac

Andy Street: We must do more to save struggling town centres. Tackling business rates is a good place to start.

Andy Street is Mayor of the West Midlands , and is a former Managing Director of John Lewis .
Our traditional town centres and high streets have faced unprecedented challenges in recent times .
First , our town centres were impacted by the drive towards out-of-town retail parks .
Next , the rise of digital shopping impacted , as doorstep delivery hit footfall .
Then came Coronavirus , and restrictions that have brought town centres to a juddering halt .
Now , in what retailers call the “ Golden Quarter ” – the critical run-up to Christmas – they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Future High Streets Fund and Towns Fund , the Government is backing town centres , on top of the unprecedented support already shown for business throughout the pandemic .
I believe that we must double down on this investment to secure the future of our high streets , but the challenge we face is also reliant on generating fresh ideas and local buy-in .
It is not just about money – it is about how we spend it too .
While 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges , I firmly believe in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and evidence suggests that many others do too .
During the Covid-19 pandemic , many reconnected with their local high streets .
In lockdown , many chose to return to traditional butchers and grocers rather than face supermarket queues .
When volunteers mobilised to deliver food to the vulnerable , it was often the local convenience store that provided a base , looking out for their regular customers .
And , when restrictions relaxed , people wanted to reconnect with town centres .
Here in the West Midlands , Halesowen Town Centre saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country .
Despite all the challenges , towns like this have a future because we are fundamentally a social species .
After so long apart , we want to return as soon as possible to culture , to sport , to conferences – social pursuits that are so often in town and city centres .
However , it ’ s clear that investment is needed .
Why ?
Our high streets matter .
They matter because they are the heart of local communities .
They matter politically , as they provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success .
The Government recognises this , through its Towns Fund investment programme , as it seeks to “ level up ” the economy and reach out to former “ Red Wall ” ’ areas .
But we must think afresh .
Before Covid struck , we drew up our West Midlands blueprint to revitalise local high streets , the ambitions of which are even more pertinent today .
The blueprint aims to encourage a more personal shopping experience – the type you can ’ t get from a phone screen – while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadening appeal beyond retail .
We want to encourage more urban living in our town centres , which should also be the natural place for public services .
The blueprint also aims to make our town centres greener and cleaner – with more opportunities to cycle and walk – and safe and secure with good lighting , proactive policing and CCTV .
Above all , strong local leadership must drive these ambitions , to build the partnerships and attract the investment needed .
A key part of that leadership is pushing for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field between high street and online retailers .
Taxation remains a real issue .
If a swift bounceback is evading us next year , then exemptions will be vital – but we must also tackle the long-term problem of business rates .
They are simply outdated and , given the financial challenge we now face , the often-suggested online sales tax looks even more attractive .
Investment is also key to repositioning our high streets .
In the West Midlands , we are putting millions on the table to back our blueprint .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million investment in the Coventry City Centre South scheme , which will transform the City ’ s future , to £5 million towards a transformation of Kingshurst , in Solihull , creating a new village centre with shops , medical and community facilities .
Sometimes , it ’ s about removing eyesores that have blighted places for decades .
The demolition of the Cavendish House office block symbolises that the regeneration of Dudley Town Centre is no longer a hope – it ’ s happening , thanks to regional funding .
In West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hideous Bull Street Car Park , reclaiming the site to build new homes in the town centre – bringing much-needed footfall to existing businesses .
We ’ ve backed opening hotels in Walsall Town Centre and the heart of Coventry , and even helped bring an old rival from my John Lewis days , Marks and Spencer , into Sheldon ’ s high street in Birmingham .
Targeted investments like these demonstrate a confidence in the future of communities , and we are determined to do more locally .
However , I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securing hundreds of millions from the Government ’ s Future High Streets Fund and Towns Fund .
Across the region we have seen enthused communities , businesses and councils come together to work on their bids for this funding .
Perhaps the most ambitious of these is in the Black Country , where an energised Wolverhampton partnership is pitching for £48 million not just in the city centre , but crucially for high streets in Bilston and Wednesfield too .
This funding would go alongside our own investment in the City ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ railway station and metro link which is nearing completion .
Elsewhere in the Black Country we have more towns in the running for game-changing investment – Brierley Hill , Bloxwich , Dudley , Rowley Regis , Smethwick , Walsall and West Bromwich – each with their own distinct pitch .
A great example is Brierley Hill – a traditional town centre that was badly hit by the opening of the huge Merry Hill shopping centre in 1990 .
Now we have the chance to reconfigure the town centre to open it up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asda can easily access the rest of the high street .
The extension of the West Midlands Metro into Brierley Hill will link it to the wider region .
Communities around smaller suburban high streets are grasping the opportunities of the Future High Streets Fun too .
Erdington , in Birmingham , has a brilliant scheme designed not only to boost retail but to make the best of their assets , by opening up the historic Churchyard area to provide better , high-quality open space .
They also want to turn the boarded-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Too often the debate over “ levelling up ” is reduced to North versus South .
Here in the Midlands , where the Red Wall was first breached , we are engaging with the opportunities to bring investment into our communities that will drive tangible , visible improvements .
The Government is putting in money .
But as we plot our way out of the pandemic , it must be ready to double down on this investment , while enthusing communities to play a part in revitalising the civic centres they so @ @

Andy Street is Mayor of the West Midlands, and is a former Managing Director of John Lewis.
Our traditional town centres and high streets have faced unprecedented challenges in recent times. First, our town centres were impacted by the drive towards out-of-town retail parks. Next, the rise of digital shopping impacted, as doorstep delivery hit footfall.
Then came Coronavirus, and restrictions that have brought town centres to a juddering halt. Now, in what retailers call the “Golden Quarter” – the critical run-up to Christmas – they are coping with another month-long closure.
Through the Future High Streets Fund and Towns Fund, the Government is backing town centres, on top of the unprecedented support already shown for business throughout the pandemic. I believe that we must double down on this investment to secure the future of our high streets, but the challenge we face is also reliant on generating fresh ideas and local buy-in. It is not just about money – it is about how we spend it too.
While 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges, I firmly believe in the future of our towns and cities, and evidence suggests that many others do too.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many reconnected with their local high streets. In lockdown, many chose to return to traditional butchers and grocers rather than face supermarket queues. When volunteers mobilised to deliver food to the vulnerable, it was often the local convenience store that provided a base, looking out for their regular customers.
And, when restrictions relaxed, people wanted to reconnect with town centres. Here in the West Midlands, Halesowen Town Centre saw the biggest bounceback in trade of anywhere in the country. Despite all the challenges, towns like this have a future because we are fundamentally a social species. After so long apart, we want to return as soon as possible to culture, to sport, to conferences – social pursuits that are so often in town and city centres.
However, it’s clear that investment is needed. Why? Our high streets matter. They matter because they are the heart of local communities. They matter politically, as they provide a tangible, visible sign of economic success. The Government recognises this, through its Towns Fund investment programme, as it seeks to “level up” the economy and reach out to former “Red Wall”’ areas. But we must think afresh.
Before Covid struck, we drew up our West Midlands blueprint to revitalise local high streets, the ambitions of which are even more pertinent today.
The blueprint aims to encourage a more personal shopping experience – the type you can’t get from a phone screen – while bringing local services into town centres, broadening appeal beyond retail.
We want to encourage more urban living in our town centres, which should also be the natural place for public services. The blueprint also aims to make our town centres greener and cleaner – with more opportunities to cycle and walk – and safe and secure with good lighting, proactive policing and CCTV.
Above all, strong local leadership must drive these ambitions, to build the partnerships and attract the investment needed. A key part of that leadership is pushing for a fairer tax system that levels the playing field between high street and online retailers.
Taxation remains a real issue. If a swift bounceback is evading us next year, then exemptions will be vital – but we must also tackle the long-term problem of business rates. They are simply outdated and, given the financial challenge we now face, the often-suggested online sales tax looks even more attractive.
Investment is also key to repositioning our high streets. In the West Midlands, we are putting millions on the table to back our blueprint.
Schemes vary in size from our £95.5 million investment in the Coventry City Centre South scheme, which will transform the City’s future, to £5 million towards a transformation of Kingshurst, in Solihull, creating a new village centre with shops, medical and community facilities.
Sometimes, it’s about removing eyesores that have blighted places for decades. The demolition of the Cavendish House office block symbolises that the regeneration of Dudley Town Centre is no longer a hope – it’s happening, thanks to regional funding. In West Bromwich, we are pulling down the hideous Bull Street Car Park, reclaiming the site to build new homes in the town centre – bringing much-needed footfall to existing businesses.
We’ve backed opening hotels in Walsall Town Centre and the heart of Coventry, and even helped bring an old rival from my John Lewis days, Marks and Spencer, into Sheldon’s high street in Birmingham.
Targeted investments like these demonstrate a confidence in the future of communities, and we are determined to do more locally. However, I want these investments to be a pilot for securing hundreds of millions from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and Towns Fund. Across the region we have seen enthused communities, businesses and councils come together to work on their bids for this funding.
Perhaps the most ambitious of these is in the Black Country, where an energised Wolverhampton partnership is pitching for £48 million not just in the city centre, but crucially for high streets in Bilston and Wednesfield too. This funding would go alongside our own investment in the City’s future, like the £150 million new railway station and metro link which is nearing completion.
Elsewhere in the Black Country we have more towns in the running for game-changing investment – Brierley Hill, Bloxwich, Dudley, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Walsall and West Bromwich – each with their own distinct pitch.
A great example is Brierley Hill – a traditional town centre that was badly hit by the opening of the huge Merry Hill shopping centre in 1990. Now we have the chance to reconfigure the town centre to open it up and ensure that shoppers visiting big retailers like Asda can easily access the rest of the high street. The extension of the West Midlands Metro into Brierley Hill will link it to the wider region.
Communities around smaller suburban high streets are grasping the opportunities of the Future High Streets Fun too. Erdington, in Birmingham, has a brilliant scheme designed not only to boost retail but to make the best of their assets, by opening up the historic Churchyard area to provide better, high-quality open space. They also want to turn the boarded-up Victorian baths into a job-creating business hub.
Too often the debate over “levelling up” is reduced to North versus South. Here in the Midlands, where the Red Wall was first breached, we are engaging with the opportunities to bring investment into our communities that will drive tangible, visible improvements.
The Government is putting in money. But as we plot our way out of the pandemic, it must be ready to double down on this investment, while enthusing communities to play a part in revitalising the civic centres they so cherish.


conservativehome--2020-11-17--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Further Education Adviser – and more