Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Cllr Vernon-Jackson CBE and Sir Steve Bullock declared an interest in item 6 (Consolidated Financial Statements) and item 11 (IDeA Pension Fund) as members of the local government pension scheme.

Congratulations

The Chairman congratulated those members that had secured re-election in the May local elections. 

Thanks

It was noted that this would by the last Leadership Board meeting for a number of longstanding members: Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE who has served six years as Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Cllr Taylor OBE, Sir Steve Bullock and Mayor Thornhill whom had all enjoyed long tenures as Deputy Chairs. On behalf of the Board, the Chairman warmly thanked all four members for their long service on the Board and paid tribute to their significant contribution to the LGA and the sector as a whole.  

Rebecca Cox (Principal Policy Advisor) introduced the report which updated on the recent election of six Combined Authority Mayors (CAM) and outlined the LGA’s membership offer.  In particular she thanked political group leaders and the LGA group offices for their support in engaging with the Mayors. 

Members commended a recent CAM engagement forum and endorsed the LGA’s flexible support offer and approach.  The Board highlighted a number issues for further consideration, including: support for all component parts of Combined Authorities in resilience and managing conflict; and an inclusive approach to cross party engagement in Combined Authorities, with particular mention to the importance of pre-scrutiny and inclusion of independent members.

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board:

1. noted the Combined Authority Mayoral elections outcomes;
2. noted LGA activity to support combined authorities, engagement with Combined Authority Mayors and development of the mayoral support offer; and
3. agreed that their comments continue to inform the development of the LGA’s support offer. 

Claire Holloway (Head of Corporate Services) introduced the definitive figures for the LGA’s proportionality for 2017-2018 following the local election results, and outlined the implications for the distribution of seats on the LGA’s governance structure amongst the political groups.  The report also sought Members’ decision on whether to include Combined Authority Mayors (CAMs) in the LGA’s political balance.  

In the following discussion, the Board agreed not to include CAMs in the LGA's political balance calculations for the coming year, however reiterated the importance of bringing CAMs into the local government family, and therefore agreed to review this position in 2018.  

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board:

      i.        endorsed the proportionality figures for 2017/2018; and

     ii.        agreed not to include Combined Authority Elected Mayors in the LGA's political balance calculations for the coming year and to review this position in 2018.

David Holdstock (Director of Communications) introduced the report which listed those Members of the House of Commons, House of Lords and European Parliament that the LGA’s Political Groups would be inviting to be Vice-Presidents for 2017-18.

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted and endorsed the Vice-President appointments made by the Political Groups.

Claire Holloway introduced the report which summarised the work undertaken by the Audit Committee in 2017/18. 

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the annual report of the Audit Committee be presented to the General Assembly on 4 July 2017.

Jonathan Gratte (Strategic Finance Manager) introduced the LGA’s consolidated financial statements for the year to 31 March 2017 for Members’ agreement prior to the accounts being submitted to the LGA General Assembly for adoption.

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the financial statements for 2016/17 prior to their adoption at the LGA General Assembly on 4July 2017.

Mark Lloyd (Chief Executive) moved the report which set out the LGA’s main achievements against the business plan priorities since the last meeting.  In doing so, he drew attention to the current membership position and recent LGA support for those councils that had undergone a change of control political control following the local elections.

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the Chief Executive’s report for June 2017.

The Forward Plan was moved without further comment.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the forward plan.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 June 2017.

The following items were considered in the confidential section of the meeting.

 Sarah Pickup (Deputy Chief Executive)summarised the outcome of a member review of the LGA’s company structures and invited Members to recommend the proposed changes to the General Assembly for agreement.  

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report. 

Sarah Pickup introduced the item which sought the Board’s agreement to a number of measures to protect the Association and its members against risks associated with its pension deficits.  

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report. 

David Holdstock to introduced the latest programme and preparations for the LGA’s Annual Conference taking place in Birmingham from 4-6 July 2017.

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decisions 

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the final programme & activities for the Annual conference and exhibition 2017.

The Chairman briefly introduced the report which set out an early analysis of the issues for local government and the LGA to consider in engaging with the new government. 

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report and that their comments inform the LGA’s work.

David Holdstock briefly introduced the LGA’s main publication for members’ comment and clearance prior to launch at annual conference. 

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the LGA’s main publication for launch at annual conference.

Sir Steve Bullock (Commercial Advisory Board Chairman) introduced the item which updated on a Commercial Advisory Board project.

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report. 

Claire Holloway introduced the report which asked the Board to agree a revised Members’ Agreement with Local Partnerships. 

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report. 

This report has been tabled following the very recent conclusion of legal negotiations.

Claire Holloway provided a verbal update on the refurbishment of Layden House and Local Government House development projects which remained to timescale.

Sarah Pickup introduced the short report that has been tabled.

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.