Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove was the main speaker at today's opening day of the Local Government Association annual conference in Harrogate.

The three-day gathering, which is the biggest event on the local government calendar, has brought about 1,500 delegates to Harrogate.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Lisa Nandy, Labour’s Shadow Secretary for Levelling Up, are among tomorrow's listed speakers.

Mr Gove used the occasion to announce the government will move to two-year funding settlements for local authorities and will create an Office for Local Government, which will scrutinise councils' performance.

But the event, which will see break-out events take place at some hotels, is also an opportunity to showcase Harrogate.

Shortly before Mr Gove's speech, Cllr Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council's deputy leader, took to the stage for a five-minute plenary speech in which he implored delegates to "take the opportunity to see why Harrogate is such a great place to live, work and keep visiting".

Cllr Swift added:

Mr Gove took the time afterwards to meet Cllr Victoria Oldham, the Harrogate borough's last mayor.

The packed programme of events includes a 45-minute walking tour of Harrogate at 11.30am tomorrow led by members of Destination Harrogate, which is the council's tourism organisation.

The Old Swan hotel will host a chief executives’ drinks reception tomorrow night while the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic will host dinners for the Labour and Liberal Democrats.

Tomorrow will also see Harrogate's Royal Host the LGA LGBTQ+ disco.

Tonight, the Crown Hotel will host an event on local authority enterprises.

LGA chairman, Cllr James Jamieson told delegates today:

Read more:

• Big names in UK politics coming to Harrogate for conference


• Harrogate district MPs divided over Northern Ireland Protocol