Councillors Regional Conferences
Over the past few months some GMB Regions have organised Regional Councillors conferences, which have been very successful.
The first was held was in the London Friends Meeting House Euston Road, and more recently, the GMB Yorkshire Region organised a conference in Leeds Town Hall. Both conferences came up with some best practice on going forward with chosen projects.
London Region — In London Councillors concentrated on looking at how councils can generate more income at a time of cuts.
There were several speakers from Islington council who are looking at income generations as a scrutiny topic, which has been successful.
The same agenda of income generation was a topic in Leeds.
There were several projects running where councils have been bringing in extra finance through changing the way they work and looking at competing with the private sector instead of being taken over by private contractors.
Each conference also looked at making applications to the EU for extra joint funding projects and Environmental friendly energy provision was discussed.
There are many areas where income can be generated and GMB are developing a best practice guide..
If your region has not held its annual Councillors conference then get in touch with the regional political officers to find out when they will be taking place. Contact Details for your Regional Political Officers are below:
London Region Councillors Conference 2015
Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Region - The National Team worked with Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region to run the first Councillor Conference in the Region, which was attended by Councillors from 7 different local authorities. The event saw a mix of backbench Councillors and Cabinet members participating in workshops on budgets and income generation; BAME representation and Housing. We were also joined by Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Jon Trickett MP, to kick start the devolution debate.
YO Region Councillors Conference 2015
Birmingham Region - Stephanie Peacock Tel. 0121 550 4888
London Region - Gary Doolan Tel. 020 7391 6748
Midland & East coast Region - Richard Oliver Tel. 0115 960 7171
Northern Region - Chris Jukes Tel. 0191 233 3930
North West & Irish Region - Neil Smith Tel. 0151 727 0077
Scotland - Richard Leonard Tel. 0141 332 8641
Southern Region - Michelle Gordon Tel. 020 8397 8881
Wales & South West Region - Mike Payne Tel. 01792 467803
Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Region - Steve Jennings Tel. 01924 882 255