LLG President warns on Law Society representation for sector, impact of exit payment cap on those earning £40k+

The change is among various proposals put forward following a review undertaken by Chancery Lane of its internal mechanisms. Currently two members of the Council are drawn from the sector.

In his latest blog LLG President Quentin Baker said: “In our view the proposed reduction would result in a disproportionately low representation when compared to the number of solicitors in local government, (5,000), and we have a campaign underway to persuade the Law Society to withdraw this proposal.

“The changes have proved contentious and many feel they haven’t been properly thought through and need further reflection. As such it is possible that there will be a ballot of all Law Society members and I would ask that you keep an eye out for further updates.”

Baker also urged LLG members in the interim, if they are a member of a local Law Society, to formally express concern about the proposal “which smacks of the old days when some Law Society members considered solicitors in local government to be less deserving of equal representation”.

The LLG President meanwhile revealed that the organisation had joined with CIPFA and Solace to campaign against the inclusion of ‘pension strain’ (the cost of topping up LGPS pension) in relation to the so-called £95k cap on exit payments.

The cap is intended to place a limit on the financial value of benefits that local authority employees may receive if they are made redundant.

“The key issue has been whether ‘pension strain’, (the cost of topping up LGPS pension), is included,” Baker said. “If it is included then this provision will potentially impact on a much wider group of employees including those of salaries of £40k an above depending upon length of service. Given the possibility of austere times ahead and potential redundancies, this is a particularly unwelcome and some would say, cynical move by central government.”