The local government family is broad and deep, and over recent years I've enjoyed good relationships nationally with the various different parts, such as the District Councils Network, and it was a pleasure to once again attend the DCN parliamentary reception this week at the House of Lords.
Hosted by Lord Fuller, former leader of South Norfolk, it was not just an annual reception but also an opportunity to celebrate the retiring chairman, Sam Chapman-Allen, and welcome the new chairman, Richard Wright. We also heard from Baroness Taylor, Labour local government minister in the Lords and herself a former council leader.
Personally, it was a pleasure to see friends old and new, and the Houses of Parliament are always a spectacular venue for these events.