Local Government Information Unit
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The Local Government Information Unit is a local government lobbying organisation, thinktank and service provider. They are a company limited by guarantee, and a registered charity (Reg. No. 1113495).
The organisation was set up in the 1980s as the Local Government Campaigns Unit to oppose the local government policies of the then Conservative government, such as rate capping. Former Home Secretary, David Blunkett, then the Leader of Sheffield City Council, was the founder of the organisation, along with other prominent left-wing Labour council Leaders. Renamed the LGIU, the organisation grew into one of the most significant national membership bodies of local authorities.
Over recent years the LGIU has become more mainstream and now has a cross party membership base, with a governing Board comprising leading local government politicians from all major parties.
The LGIU has four 'Centres of Excellence' recently launched to provide a focus for work on Local Democracy, Local Sustainability, Service Transformation and Children's Services. The Centre for Children's Services incorporates the Children's Services Network (CSN) originally launched as The Education Network by the LGIU in 1997 to help develop, promote and disseminate the role and good practice of local authorities in the delivery of education
The Chief Executive of the LGIU is Andrew Sawford
