Special interest groups

The Local Government Association (LGA) Constitution allows member authorities with common characteristics to form groupings of authorities to express a sectional interest.

It is open to any 10 or more potential members of a Special Interest Group (SIG), being full member authorities of the LGA, with common features, interests or concerns to ask the LGA to establish a SIG for them. Under exceptional circumstances, the LGA Executive may agree to the establishment of SIGs for smaller groups of authorities. Groupings of classes of authority (unitary authorities, county councils and district councils) will be regarded as SIGs.

SIGs are able to make representations direct to Government and elsewhere on matters arising directly from their special interest, and to obtain LGA assistance in doing so. All SIGs are required to submit a full report at the end of April each year to the LGA Executive, covering such matters as their dealings with Government departments.

Set out below are the Special Interest Groups which operate under the umbrella of the LGA.

Affordable Loans Network
Contact: Adenike Titiloye, Programme Director
Telephone: 0121 303 7516
Email: adenike.titiloye@birmingham.gov.uk

Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF)
Contact: Ian Greenwood, Chairman
Telephone: 0207 3927880
Email: info@lapfforum.org
Website: LAPFF forum website

District Councils Network
Contact: Emma Tucker, DCN Manager
Telephone: 020 7664 3049
Email: emma.tucker@local.gov.uk
Website: District Councils Network website

Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH)
Contact: Robin Fletcher
Telephone: 020 8871 7047
Email: rfletcher@wandsworth.gov.uk
Fax: 0208871 6672
Website: ARCH website

Integrated Transport Authorities
This group provides a forum for the development of urban public transport policy by the Passenger Transport Authorities.
Integrated Transport Authority SIG – find out more (PDF, 2 pages, 142KB)
Contact: Saila Acton, Secretary
Telephone: 0113 251 7204
Email: saila.acton@pteg.net
Passenger Transport Executive group website

Nuclear Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management SIG
(known as NuLeAF, the Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum)
Contact: Catherine Draper
Telephone: 01473 264833
Email: catherine.draper@nuleaf.org.uk
Website: Nuleaf website

Strategic Aviation SIG (SASIG)
SASIG works for local authorities in a strategic manner on national aviation policy to reconcile economic, social and environmental issues.
All LGA local authorities with an airport in or near their jurisdiction are welcome to join the SIG. Please contact us for a discussion about the work of the group.
Contact: Anna Mahoney, SASIG Director
Telephone: 020 8541 9459
Email: sasig@surreycc.gov.uk
Website: Sasig website

Coastal Issues SIG
This group's principal aim is to establish improved governance, management and community wellbeing to ensure that the UK has the best managed coast in Europe, and to identify appropriate and sustainable funding strategies to support this aim.
Contact: Tom Schindl (East Sussex County Council)
Telephone: 01273 336838
Email: tom.schindle@eastsussex.gov.uk
Website: Coastal SIG website

County Councils Network
Contact: Caroline Cunningham
Telephone: 0207 664 3006
Website: County Councils Network website

F40 Group of Education Authorities
Contact: Doug Allen
Telephone: 01287 610404
Email: doug@dtw.co.uk

Fourth Option Special Interest Group (FOSIG)
Contact: Mark Hall, Chief Executive, Oadby & Wigston BC
Telephone: 0116 2888961
Email: chief.executive@oadby-wigston.gov.uk
Website: FOSIG website

High Ethnicity SIG
Contact: Lee Geraghty
Telephone: 07738 000368 mail:
Email: lee.geraghty@lgfutures.co.uk
LGA Contact: Mike Heiser
Website: High ethnicity SIG website

SPARSE Rural
Contact: David Inman
Telephone: 01822 813641
Email: david.inman@sparse.gov.uk
Website: Rural services Network website

National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA)
Contact: David Preston
Telephone: 01691 680713
Email: nabma@nabma.com
Website: Nabma website

Public Transport Consortium SIG
Chair: Cllr David Rowlands
Telephone: 01296 712606
Email drowlands@buckscc.gov.uk
Contact: Secretary – Stuart Wrigley
Telephone: 01253 727950
Email stuart.wrigley@btconnect.com
(link to subpage)

SIGOMA (Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities)
Contact: Steve Pick, Secretary, Barnsley MBC
Telephone: 01226 773301
Email: sigomaenquiries@barnsley.gov.uk
LGA Contact: Mike Heiser
Website: SIgoma website

(same address and phone no) World Heritage Sites
Contact: Gill Clarke
Telephone: 01225 423616
Email: gillianmclarke@hotmail.com

Councils with ALMOs Group (CWAG)
Contact: Alison Freeman
Telephone: 07909 548609
Email: alisonfreeman@f2s.com
Telephone: 020 7664 3286
Website: CWAG website

New Nuclear Local Authorities Group (NNLAG)
Contact: Alyn Jones, Group Manager – Energy
Telephone: 01823 356636
Email: agjones@somerset.gov.uk