LGA Business Plan for 2019-22

Purpose of report

For information.

Summary

The LGA business plan sets out how the Local Government Association (LGA) will continue to support and be an advocate for councils in the next three years. Through our #CouncilsCan campaign we will make the case for a new settlement for English local government that gives councils and councillors the powers, freedoms, funding and certainty to transform lives and local economies, respond to climate change and lead the sustainable development agenda.

The LGA Business Plan for 2019-22 is attached as Appendix A

Recommendation Members are asked to note the new Business Plan and reflect on how the City Regions board work programmes link to it. Action Officers to take forward comments for future board work.

Contact officer:	Rebecca Cox

Position:	Principal Policy Adviser

Phone no:	0207 187 7384

Email:	rebecca.cox@local.gov.uk

LGA Business Plan 2019-2022

Background

The LGA’s business plan for 2019-2022 sets out how the LGA will continue to support and be an advocate for councils in the next three years.

In line with the motion in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals passed at the LGA General Assembly in July 2019, the current plan demonstrates how the LGA’s work programme also contribute to the Goals.

Issues

The business plan sets out a number of priorities for the organisation. Those connected with the Board’s terms of reference include:

press for freedoms that lead to greater local financial autonomy with a view to achieving local control over and retention of both council tax and business rates (p7)

press for legislation to allow councils to raise more funds locally including new local taxes and set fees and changes which fully recover costs (p7)

work to secure the £5 billion of regeneration investment guaranteed to local economies from EU structural funds to 2020 up until we leave the EU and lobby for alternative UK sources after we leave (p13)

support city regions and non-metropolitan areas to deliver effective local economic strategies (p15)

continue to press for strong local government representation on Local Enterprise Partnerships and improved oversight and scrutiny of them (p15)

continue to press for powers, funding and lead responsibility for councils to integrate and commission back to work, skills, apprenticeships and welfare support under the LGA’s Work Local model (p15)

campaign for people of all ages to be supported to participate in quality skills development and training, including independent careers advice and a passport for lifelong learning (p15)

interact with Whitehall on all Brexit negotiations, clearly articulating councils’ needs and concerns and taking advantage of the opportunity to entrench local government within our new constitutional settlement (p17)

refresh the case to demonstrate to government how devolution leads to more inclusive and sustainable growth, better public services and improved outcomes for residents (p17)

offer a mixture of generic and bespoke support for combined authorities, elected mayors and those areas in the process of developing their devolution arrangements (p22)

support councils on the local growth agenda, including the development of Local Industrial Strategies (p22)

support councils to prepare and deliver a successful transition for EU exit (p22)

Implications for Wales

The business plan was developed in consultation with the member councils of the LGA, including WLGA members.

Financial Implications

None.

Next steps

Officers to take forward comments for future board work.