Last week, I joined nearly 100 councillors from across England in person at our Members' Briefing Day at the Local Government Association. This gathering was an invaluable opportunity to engage with cross-party colleagues on the issues that matter most to our communities.
One of the highlights was hearing about how our cross-party policy boards will be working in the year ahead - working together across political lines to tackle key challenges like housing, local government funding, SEND, and community cohesion. These boards are essential to ensuring that we deliver policies that truly serve the public and reflect a wide range of perspectives.
From insightful discussions on civility in public life to councils' roles as major employers, the day underscored the power of collaboration and the importance of forward-thinking leadership. It was also great to network with colleagues, reaffirming our shared commitment to building thriving and inclusive communities.
