APPG on Local Government – Summer Reception 2025

On Wednesday evening (16 July) the APPG on Local Government held its annual Summer Reception on the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion. The LGIU provides secretariat to the APPG and we brought together MPs, Peers, council leaders, chief executives and senior stakeholders from across the sector.

The sun was shining as we launched our new research report, Service delivery in uncertain times, our first major output with our strategic partner Norse Group. The report – based on interviews and a survey of senior figures across local government – explores the influence that devolution and LGR reforms are having on current decisions about delivery models.

The Chair of the APPG, Clive Betts, MP, addressed guests and spoke about the work of the APPG and the LGIU. He outlined plans for the Group to undertake an inquiry on fiscal devolution in the coming months. He then introduced Cllr Neil Nerva, Chair of the LGIU,  who spoke the vital importance of LGIU’s work at this time. Clive then welcomed remarks from Justin Galliard, Chief Executive of Norse Group who outlined the newly launched research to better understand the extent to which local government reorganisation is impacting service delivery arrangements at the local level. The final remarks of the evening were left to the Minister of State for Local Government (Jim McMahon OBE MP) who thanked Clive and the APPG for their work and the LGIU for our ongoing resources and support for the sector. He reflected on his journey into government from his time as Leader of Oldham Council and as the 2014 Cllr Awards Leader of the Year. The Minster spoke about the huge opportunities that the government’s devolution revolution provides but only if we have a strong, empowered local government underneath it.

It was a wonderful evening. Thank you to everyone who was there for making it such an interesting and enjoyable local government event!

Photos: Moonshine Productions