An internal spat over the role of the LGA chair overshadowed the build-up to the association's annual conference, after Sir Simon Milton broke with political consensus and called for private firms to run schools at a profit. The leaders of the LGA's Labour and Liberal Democrat groups wrote to Sir Simon expressing concerns over his view – aired in The Times newspaper on 27 June – that private providers should take profits from schools that they improve. Sir Jeremy Beecham (Labour) and Cllr Richard Kemp (Lib Dem) also took the unprecedented step of issuing a joint statement denying that the proposal had LGA backing. Mr Kemp, who is also the LGA's deputy chair, told The MJ that the problem reflected difficulties balancing Sir Simon's dual responsibilities as chair and elected politician. ‘The LGA is a consensus-based organisation. But it's not the first time we've had problems with this. Former chair, Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, caused concern with some of his statements on asylum-seekers, which were not LGA policy. ‘We'll be seeking assurances from Sir Simon that he was not speaking in his capacity as LGA chair,' he said. The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the LGA's office holders this month. Speaking in a personal capacity, Mr Kemp described Sir Simon's suggestion as ‘half-baked'. He argued that, ‘with the exception of expensive academies, there is little evidence that the private sector delivers results in state education'. Sir Jeremy said he rejected Sir Simon's assertion that the role of councils was to commission services. He added: ‘Sir Simon is entitled to his personal views, which, interestingly, are not shared by the Tory front bench. But he has no authority to advance them on behalf of the LGA.'
