Following the General Election, Cllr has stood down as LGA Chair
after being elected as the new MP for Telford.
Elected officers of the LGA Labour Group have unanimously
nominated Cllr Louise Gittins as the new LGA Chair, replacing
Cllr Davies with immediate effect.
Cllr Gittins has served as Leader of Cheshire West and Chester
Council since 2019, having previously served as Deputy Leader
from 2015.
Cllr Gittins was first elected as a councillor in 2011 and has
been the Chair of the LGA's Children and Young People policy
board since 2022.
Cllr Gittins said:
“I am excited and honoured to be taking up this important
cross-party role on behalf of councils of all types and political
colours across the country.
“We are entering a period of huge change but also opportunity and
my immediate priority is working with the new government on a
fundamental reset of the relationship between central and local
government, one of trust and mutual respect.
“As we have set out in our Local Government White Paper, it is
councils which hold the local levers to the national challenges
facing the new government, whether it is building more affordable
homes, reducing homelessness, improving care for adults and
children or boosting inclusive growth.
“Councils are under pressure like never before, facing a funding
gap of more than £6 billion over the next two years. It
is important we find a sustainable and long term financial
solution, as well as the powers and levers required so we can
deliver on the priorities of the new government.
“We are delighted that many new MPs come from the local
government family and have had first-hand experience of these
acute pressures as councillors, which should mean that securing
the future of our local services will be a top priority.”
