It was great to see so many ALDC members at Spring Conference in York.
It was a great weekend, full of events and training organised by ALDC and the LGA Liberal Democrat group.
Council Group of the Year Awards 2026
There was a great turnout at the Local Government Reception – with special guest speakers Ed Davey MP, Zoe Franklin MP, Cllr Joe Harris and Cllr Heather Kidd.
We also hosted the 2026 Council Group of the Year awards, celebrating the best Lib Dem local government achievements of the past year. Hosted by Zoe Franklin MP. Our winners this year were:
Council Group of the Year
Winner: Wokingham Liberal Democrats
Special Commendation: West Berkshire Liberal Democrats
Opposition Group of the Year
Winner: Durham Liberal Democrats
Special Commendation: Lincoln Liberal Democrats
Council Group Achievement of the Year
Winner: North East Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats
Special Commendation: Watford Liberal Democrats
Council Group of the year winner: Wokingham Liberal Democrats
Opposition Group of the year winner: Durham Liberal Democrats
Council Group Achievement of the year winner: North East Lincs Liberal Democrats
ALDC and LGA Fringes
We hosted a fringe on the journey ‘from the Council to the Commons’ with four Liberal Democrat MPs – Steve Darling MP, Susan Murray MP, Luke Taylor MP and Charlotte Cane MP.
Thank ALDC submittedyou everyone who came and took part.
We also had a packed fringe on the future of local government funding with Cllr Bill Revans, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Cllr Joe Harris and Zoe Franklin MP.
Once again thank you to everyone who came to make it such a successful event.
Policy Motions and Speeches
Both ALDC and LGA Liberal Democrats were very active in debates and policy motion – and we ensured a big focus on local government in the main hall.
ALDC submitted a motion on the Local Government Funding Emergency that was debated and passed on Sunday morning. Cllr Peter Taylor, Mayor of Watford, also made an excellent speech on the importance of local government in the fabric of the Liberal Democrats.
Training and the ALDC Stall
Finally ALDC provided training sessions for Lib Dem members throughout Saturday on topics ranging from finding a diverse pool of candidates, retaining your seat as a councillor, knocking on doors, winning the postal vote, taking on Reform and campaigning with AI.
Thank you as well to everyone who visited us at our stand in the exhibition centre, bought a raffle ticket or and ALDC book and welcome to the new ALDC members who signed up at conference!