Council to be one of only two to quit trade body

A Staffordshire council has announced it will become one of only two out of 317 to withdraw from the national trade body for local authorities.

Reform UK controlled Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said it would cancel its membership of the Local Government Association (LGA) in a bid to save up to £17,200 a year in membership fees and expenses.

The figure represents less than 0.1% of the council's £20m annual revenue budget.

LGA chair Louise Gittins argued the organisation provided good value for money, and said: "It would be a great pity if we were unable to continue working closely with the council on their local issues and community campaigns, including Walleys Quarry."

The LGA's ability to advocate for the sector depended on broad membership from across the political spectrum, she added.

"The council currently remains in membership and we have been in contact prior to and following their announcement.

"We remain ready to discuss any concerns they may have and the benefits of continued membership."

The LGA is a cross-party organisation representing almost all the different types of council in England.

As well as lobbying government, its work includes offering member councils advice and audits.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said from 2022/2023 to 2025/2026 the fees, along with the time and cost of attending LGA conferences and meetings, amounted to £65,700.

Nationally, councils collectively pay about £11m per year to the LGA, with extra costs to attend conferences and events.

"The Local Government Association is everything people are sick of about the broken Westminster political system," said Jonathan Gullis, the newly-elected leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

He described it as "a cosy, self-serving establishment funded by hardworking taxpayers who see absolutely nothing in return."

He said his party was elected to do things differently, and this meant scrapping involvement with organisations such as the LGA.

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