Inside ALDC / What we do
The Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) brings together Lib Dem councillors and campaigners across Britain. The organisation aims to support Liberal Democrats in year round community campaigning and electoral success, and to support elected Liberal Democrat councillors in their work.
ALDC is a Specified Associated Organisation (SAO) of the Liberal Democrat Party and as such represents the interests of councillors within the Party.
The work of ALDC includes:
- Local Elections
Supporting Liberal Democrats achieve electoral success in local elections each May, and in local by-elections. This includes advice and resources for candidates – including our Election Briefing service, administering the “G8” grants process for local campaigning, the ALDC by-election service monitoring by-elections throughout the year and supporting council groups through “changed circumstances” as they take control or move into no-overall control.
- Members’ Resources
Ensuring ALDC members have access to high quality information and resources. This includes our bi-monthly members magazine “Campaigner”, our members-only website areas including the information bank, free publications and the “Online Goldmine” of campaign resources for ALDC Gold members, regular email communications and the “mycouncillor” system of free websites for local councillors and campaigners.
- Advice and Support
Providing advice, information and support to Lib Dem Councillors and campaigners on issues around election law, campaigning and on the role of being a local councillor. Advice is provided by phone, email and through our website. All Lib Dem Councillors receive our “Councillor” publication and regular email communications. ALDC produces a range of publications on campaigning and councillor skills and our advisors are able to help with more difficult issues and help facilitate group away days.
- Conferences and Training
Providing training opportunities to improve the skills of Lib Dem councillors and campaigners. Free training is provided at all Lib Dem Federal, regional and state conferences, and we organise a number of special campaign training “Kickstart” events during the year. The annual Liberal Democrat Local Government Conference takes place in June.
- Policy and Leadership
We represent and champion Liberal Democrat Councillors inside and outside the Liberal Democrat Party. We represent councillors on a number of committee and bodies in the Federal and state parties, and maintain monitor the work of relevant statutory bodies.
In Scotland, Lib Dem Councillors are also separately organised through the Association of Scottish Liberal Democrat Councillors. The ALDC Management Committee includes representatives for England, Scotland and Wales.
Members of ALDC can find out more about the work of ALDC in our members only section.
This includes:
- minutes of Management Committee meetings
- financial statements and annual reports
- current and past work programmes.