LLG to create professional body for all monitoring officers by end of 2025, support members affected by reorganisation, says incoming President

The Director of Legal and Assurance at Essex County Council, Paul Turner, has been appointed President of LLG (Lawyers in Local Government) at the organisation’s annual general meeting this week.

Helen Bradley, Director of Legal & Governance at Durham County Council, was appointed Vice President by automatic succession, while Anita Bradley, Director of Law and Governance at Oxfordshire County Council, was confirmed as the Deputy Vice President.

At the AGM Turner set out a number of priorities for his year as President, including that LLG needs to create the professional body for all monitoring officers.

He said: “The LLG board realises that we need to crack on with this important work which came out of the recommendations from the 2023 LGIU report. LLG has always aimed to support its members, but we have to increase our offer.

“Speaking to members at conferences and elsewhere it’s clear that this is something that people really, really, want and we need to be ready to launch it by the end of the year. That’s the target.”

He added that all LLG members would gain from this, “because pretty much all our members who are not monitoring officers work in a department which is led by the MO. If your MO is better supported, then so are you.”

Turner went on to acknowledge the impact of reorganisation of local government and devolution.

He said: “There are lots of councils, of course, who aren’t affected by this, but for people who are going through it, it has a huge impact. I don’t think there will be less work for lawyers – in fact, there will probably be more work.

“Sadly, it’s an uncertain time for many and LLG needs to provide information and support to members as they go through the process. As a LLG member you have a crucial role in ensuring that the ‘old’ councils end well, and the newly created councils can start well, at a time when it’s probably harder to maintain a good system of internal controls. 

“Those transitioning who haven’t worked in a unitary before are likely to find things very different in the new world – the new councils won’t be a big district or a small county. We recognise we need to help members with that transition.”

Turner meanwhile discussed the importance of LLG representing the interests of the profession to a Government with a very busy agenda.

“LLG is one voice amongst many, but I believe we are seen as an important group to speak with and indeed, we are very much included in opportunities to provide feedback, and we take every opportunity to do so," he said.

The new President also stressed the role LLG plays in ensuring that its members can take part in networking, and said he was particularly excited by a current pilot in the Midlands Region at the moment of a mentoring and buddying scheme. This will be reviewed in the autumn with the aim of rolling it out across all the regions.

Turner paid tribute to his predecessor, Aneeka Muneer Sarwar, on her term in office.

He said: “Your legacy on diversity and inclusion will not be forgotten as we continue to move the company forward. Thank you for being an ambassador for lawyers in local government and for all your hours of work and dedication.”

Aneeka Muneer Sarwar said: “My journey through LLG has taught me so much about the complex landscape we navigate and the strength and resilience of local government lawyers and governance officers.

“The role we play within local government is critical to the rule of law, equitable governance and the success of our authorities. LLG have pushed through an agenda this year which continues to influence at the highest level to demonstrate the value we bring to our communities and the importance of our role in the effective operation of our councils.”

She added: “During my presidential term I emphasised the importance of good governance, leadership, and accountability in fostering trust within communities and contributing to local development. That representation at the leadership level is essential for addressing inequalities and ensuring thriving communities.”

The past President said she was particularly proud of her work championing diversity and speaking against discrimination.

She added: “At the governance conference, I chaired the Islamophobia Panel which provided a platform for practical discussions on the impact of Islamophobia in workplaces and communities. The panel addressed the shift from overt racism to microaggressions and the riots that highlighted societal divisions and questioned the sense of belonging for many.

“For me, my highlight was obtaining Baroness Warsi to speak at the conference. Baroness Warsi, a tireless advocate for equality and representation, was introduced by me as a keynote speaker. Her work on Islamophobia and her call for systemic change in political leadership, media representation, and accountability for hate speech were particularly inspiring.”

A number of Directors and National Leads at LLG were confirmed at the AGM.