Please help us learn and improve from the 2012 local election results by taking our short online survey. We know how much everyone hates long surveys, so its deliberately short, but if you want to write more then there is space to do so.

The survey has TWO aims:
   

• to assess how the support and help provided by ALDC and the rest of the Party was helpful to candidates and campaigners, and to see how this can be improved.
  
• to ask you what you think worked or did not work in the election campaign 

We will use the aggregated information to inform the work of ALDC and the rest of the party, but otherwise your comments are anonymous and will not be attributed. 

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

Thank you for your help.

Calling all councillors elected on 3rd May! We have two great discounts for ALDC membership.

ALDC will again provide an election results service showing the total number of seats won for each party by council and the change in those seats whether that's plus or minus.  You can find our Election Results Service in the Local Elections section of our website.

We largely collate this information by using council websites as they usually publish the results as they happen, although this is by no means consistent.  The counts are also split between Thursday night and anytime on Friday until well in to the evening.  However, if you are able to help us out with information from your count this is what we need to know:

• The total number of seats won on the night by each party in a council area (we don't need to know individual ward results at this stage).
• Any interesting stories e.g. high profile councillors defeated (both ours and the opposition's), interesting Lib Dem candidates elected,
• Wards won by us this year that we failed to win last year.

You can send us this information by emailing us at info@aldc.org, by posting in our Facebook group or by tweeting us.

Lib Dem Local Government Conference

Saturday 16 June 2012, University of Bedfordshire.

Satellite events, and Dinner on Friday 15 June 2012.

For Group Members of ALDC it's also "3 for 2" - buy two places and get the third entirely FREE!

ALDC and the LGA Liberal Democrat Group invite you to the main Liberal Democrat event of the summer, our Local Government Conference at the University of Bedfordshire, Bedford.

We've got a busy day planned for you, the programme will be available soon, but here are some highlights:

Training: Learning what worked in May 2012 and ideas for future campaigning success.  Specific sessions will focus on the 2013 County / Unitary elections and also longer term planning for those with elections in 2014 and beyond.

Debate and discussion: There will be fringe events and policy sessions throughout the day.  Sessions planned include Welfare Reform, Housing and Local Education Authorities.

Speakers: These include the Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg MP, Steve Webb MP and we will be able to confirm many more Keynote Speakers nearer the time.

Exhibition: There will be stands from the local Government family and a number of partners and friends from the rest of the Party and commercial colleagues throughout the day - plus the chance to meet and chat with councillors and campaigners from other parts of the country.

For more information, or if you are interested in joining us at the Conference as an exhibitor or fringe partner please get in touch with Emma Hall 01422 843 785 emma.hall@aldc.org.  

Register online, via credit or debit card here

Friday 15 June Programme:

On Friday 15 June 2012 we are planning a Group Leadership Day.  We are currently consulting on the agenda but would expect this to include some facilitated seminars on Effective Opposition and Motivating your Team.  More details to follow. This starts at lunchtime.  

A Council Group Researcher's Away Day also takes place. (contact Rob Banks - rob.banks@local.gov.uk)

Local Government Dinner

On Friday evening we have the annual Lib Dem Local Government Dinner, also at the University of Bedfordshire - an excellent opportunity to catch up with colleagues old and new in a relaxed setting.  We have been able to keep the price down and it is still only £30 per head for a 3 course meal, and this year includes a half bottle of wine per person.

Accommodation is available nearby at Park Inn and Premier Inn.  Special rates are available to conference attendees.  More details on our booking form.

Practical information:

Advance registration is £45 - with a massive £10 discount if you're a member of ALDC - so just £35 if you register before the end of May 2012.

If you are in Group Membership of ALDC, its "3 for 2" - buy two places and get the third for free. Council Group Researchers can register at the cheaper rate as previously.

Register online, via credit or debit card here. ALDC members need to LOG IN FIRST and your discount will be automatically applied. 

Unfortunately our online system can't cope with the Group Members 3 for 2 offer, so you need to phone us on 01422 843 785!

We have recently made substantial changes to the ALDC Facebook group. 

The group has now become closed, meaning that non-members have been removed and only ALDC members will be permitted to join from here on. The group will become a secure online space for our members to discuss strategy, tactics, and campaign stories with ALDC officers and each other. 

We would like to see as many members as possible take part. Simply log into Facebook, look up 'Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors', and join the conversation!