We publish a range of reports and information leaflets for our councillors to keep them up to date with our activities.
Below you can find our latest Lib Dem Group publications.
Liberal Democrats once again saw a year of net gain of councillors, including seizing control of Tunbridge Wells for the first time since the mid 1990s. From Winchester and Gloucester over to Watford and up to Preston and Barnsley, Lib Dems celebrated some excellent results.
Four years ago, Green Liberal Democrats (GLD) helped to produce a pamphlet, in partnership with the LGA Lib Dem Group, containing great examples of Lib-Dem-led initiatives on environmental issues in our councils. With a huge set of local elections coming up this year, we thought we would update the examples from around the country and we have teamed up once again with the Lib Dem Group at the LGA (Local Government Association) and ALDC (Association of Lib Dem Councillors) to do this.
"As this booklet reveals, Watford’s team have had their highs and lows and there have been many lessons learned. My own two parliamentary campaigns were not without their difficult points – from being reported to Special Branch, to offensive anonymous leaflets and criminal damage to our supporters’ property, all of which was part of a campaign of harassment and intimidation which resulted in the Conservative candidate being reported to the police and convicted. It is typical of the Watford team that this did not deter us from campaigning."
Baroness Sal Brinton, Liberal Democrats
Changes are in red to reflect changes to postal voting (Standing orders and election regulations) and provide extra clarity on what is expected of elected members and substitute members (group contract). This will be discussed at the LGA Liberal Democrat Group AGM at the LGA Harrogate Conference on June 28 2022, but is attached for information.
The LGA’s new councillor hub is intended to provide you with all the essential information you may need as a newly elected councillor and is a useful addition to the support and guidance you will receive from your own council. Find our more in LGA / ALDC Calling all new councillors.
The Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) are again active at this year’s Liberal Democrat Spring Virtual Conference, 19 to 21 March 2021. Local government speakers will also feature in a number of debates, seminars, training sessions and roundtables hosted by a variety of partner organisations.
LGA Liberal Democrat update: November 2020
Sign up for this year's LGA/ALDC Councillor's Weekend
LGA Liberal Democrat update: October 2020
Stop the Tory power grab!
LGA Liberal Democrat update: August 2020
Councillor's Weekend 2020.
LGA Liberal Democrat update: July 2020
Advice and good practice from the LGA Liberal Democrats
LGA Liberal Democrat update: June 2020
Still plenty to do. Use time wisely. Ten things You can do now.
LGA Liberal Democrat update: April 2020
Online learning and training.
Our annual reports detail the work of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group over the past year.
Liberal Democrat Group Annual Report 2024
Liberal Democrat Group Annual Report 2023
Liberal Democrat Group Annual Report 2022
Liberal Democrat Group Annual Report 2021
Delivering for our countryside (September 2019): Rural and coastal communities are individual and have characters of their own. How do the Liberal Democrats work with that and make it work?
33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton (September 2019): Sutton Council’s system of Local Area Committees plays a very important role, transferring local decision-making back to the areas that we as councillors represent.
Liberal Democrats in education (September 2019): The Liberal Democrat Education Association (LDEA) is a band of volunteers, though many of us either are, or have been, professionally involved in education.
LGA Liberal Democrat Group Next Generation 2019/2020
The LGA Liberal Democrat Group Next Generation has been developed within the traditions and values of the Liberal Democrat party, drawing on experts to create an unparalleled political development opportunity for participants. Next Generation is a programme for talented and ambitious councillors who have demonstrated potential and want to build on their skills to progress in a political career.
Next Generation 2018-19 - Development programme for aspiring leaders
The Local Government Association (LGA) Liberal Democrat Group Next Generation programme has been developed within the traditions and values of the Liberal Democrat party, drawing on a range of experts to create an unparalleled political development opportunity for participants.
Think Global, Act Local – Liberal Democrat Local Action for our environment (March 2019): Take a look at some case studies from Liberal Democrat councils and Liberal Democrat Groups on what they are doing to take action on environmental issues ranging from tackling climate change, reducing plastic waste and improving our local environment.
Going for Gold – the South Cambridgeshire Story: Hear how the Liberal Democrats turned round their fortunes in South Cambridgeshire and through perseverance, hard work and staying focussed swept to an amazing victory in May 2018.
Power for People and Communities: Policy Paper 130: The Liberal Democrats have updated their policy on local government. It aims to strengthen and empower local communities to promote devolution, openness, inclusivity, and the financial empowerment of democratically elected authorities.
Getting the balance right: a Liberal Democrat approach to planning: How do we balance competing needs when it comes to planning new homes and developments? The Liberal Democrat Group have published a booklet on planning policy, with good practice examples and challenges for you to consider.
Stand for what you believe in: Be a Liberal Democrat councillor (February 2021)
Welsh Liberal Democrats edition
Stand for what you believe in: be a Liberal Democrat District Councillor (August 2018)
This guide contains information about how councils work, the role of a councillor and most importantly, what being a Lib Dem councillor looks like. Inside the guide, four Lib Dem councillors from different district councils share why they are Lib Dem councillors and why it is important to them to represent their communities.
Stand for what you believe in: be a Liberal Democrat county councillor (August 2018)
Thinking of standing as a Lib Dem county councillor? The LGA Liberal Democrat Group working with the Association of Lib Dem Councillors have put together a booklet giving more information on what the job involves.
Stand for what you believe in: Be a Liberal Democrat councillor - Women's suffrage centenary edition (March 2018)
This guide contains information about how councils work, the role of a councillor and most importantly, what being a Lib Dem councillor looks like. You will hear from four female Lib Dem councillors from different local councils who share why they are Lib Dem councillors and why it is important to them to represent their communities.
Stand up for Liverpool: Be a Liberal Democrat Councillor (August 2017)
This guide contains information about how councils work, and in the case of the Liverpool City Region, sets out the history of local government in the region and its present context, the role of a councillor and most importantly, what being a Lib Dem councillor looks like.
Stand up for Birmingham: Be a Liberal Democrat Councillor (August 2017)
This guide contains information about how councils work, and in the case of Birmingham, sets out some history of local government in the city and its present context, the role of a councillor and most importantly, what being a Lib Dem councillor looks like.
Stand for what you believe in: Could you be a London Liberal Democrat councillor? (August 2017)
Lib Dem councillors have long been an important democratic voice for the party. Our well-worn mottos of ‘working hard all year round' and ‘success you can see' really mean something to the communities we represent.
Stand for what you believe in: be a Liberal Democrat councillor (February 2016)
Lib Dem councillors have long been an important democratic voice for the party. Our well-worn mottos of ‘working hard all year round' and ‘success you can see' really mean something to the communities we represent.
Liverpool: a study of Liberal fortitude: Only people who want to win, will win when times are hard.
The Battle for Bedford: Liberal Democrats have a strong history in Bedford, having held seats on Bedford Borough Council since the 1970s. Unlike the county which was consistently Conservative controlled, the Borough Council has been ‘no overall control’ since 1986.
Winning the Watford Way: As this booklet reveals, Watford’s team have had their highs and lows and there have been many lessons learned.
What next for adult social care: a Liberal Democrat vision for care services: Retirement can be challenging, especially if people are facing a reduction in financial circumstances, are living in a home unsuitable for an older person or have become isolated. We need to recognise that older people can and are making positive contributions to society, given the right environments.
Building healthy communities is about public health. There is so much that can be and is being done by every council in the country.
Action on the environment: Green issues are important for Liberal Democrats at a local, national and international level. Here, Liberal Democrat Councils and Council Groups detail steps they have been taking to help the environment.
Liberal Democrat Education Policy Development and the role of LDEA: There has been concern within the party that we are not generally giving education policy enough priority. We in the LDEA are working on that. Early in February, jointly with the Lib Dem LGA group, we held a conference entitled 'Education for real life.'