Healthy debate local government resources

The LGA is a national membership body for local authorities. Our core membership is made up of English and Welsh councils through the Welsh LGA. However, it should be noted that this is a joint project across all four UK Nations through the Northern Ireland LGA, Convention for Scottish Local Authority and Welsh LGA. The lead commissioning and contracting organisation is the LGA. The four associations recently recommitted to working together on Civility in public life, including upholding debate and free speech, including criticism, as the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Those in public life have a responsibility to model positive behaviours, including robust debate, disagreement and legitimate scrutiny. This project is part of our ongoing work to support councils in articulating and fostering healthy debate. The aim will be to produce resources that councils, officers, and councillors can utilise to articulate, investigate, and embed healthy debate within their councils, as well as to equip councillors with debating skills to help them fulfil their decision-making and community leadership roles.