Agenda and minutes

The LGA Executive noted the apologies listed at Appendix A.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Senior Vice-Chair (in the Chair) welcomed new Members to the meeting. The Executive congratulated Cllr Izzi Seccombe on her recent award of an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Mark Lloyd (Chief Executive) introduced the report which updated on the work of central and local government following the Grenfell Tower Fire.  He provided a summary of the current situation, along with an overview of the activities of the LGA since the fire. These included contributing to the Terms of Reference of the Independent Inquiry, pressing Government to undertake ‘system’ testing, calling for an urgent and immediate review of building regulations; and pressing for the release of confidential fire test data from private companies. It was noted that the Leadership Board had discussed this the previous day, and the draft minutes of that meeting had been tabled.

Cllr Martin Tett, Chairman of the Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board, highlighted that the EEHT Board had also met the previous day and had discussed the local government response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy at length, and a summary note of the discussion had been tabled. Board Members had expressed concern regarding conflicting messages from central government on the safety of certain types of building materials which had increased residents’ anxiety. The Board had also agreed that the LGA should address the issue of building regulations prior to the outcome of the public enquiry, and that all LGA Boards who oversaw this work should have a leadership role on this issue.

A detailed discussion followed in which members discussed: the nature and scale of the challenges; the immediate and long term sector-wide and LGA responses; the Government’s response and wider media coverage; implications beyond council owned properties; potential remedial work and financial implications; and civil resilience and emergency response protocols.  The LGA Executive also expressed their gratitude to local government staff, LGA staff and the LGA Chairman, for their hard work, long hours and flexibility in response to events. 

Decisions

That the LGA Executive:

i.      noted the LGA’s work to date;

ii.     agreed that their comments shape the priorities for future work; inform LGA  discussions with Government; and influence the initial meeting between lead members of the Fire Services Management Committee, the Safer and Stronger Communities Board, the Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board and the National Fire Chiefs Council.  

David Holdstock (Director of Communications) introduced the report, which set out the key legislation affecting local government in the 2017 Queen’s Speech and provided recommendations for how LGA activity should be prioritised to ensure the best possible outcomes for local government.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Chairman of the Brexit Task and Finish Group, addressed the Executive on the Group’s recent discussions on the Repeal Bill. A particular area of focus was the role of the Committee of the Regions, which was a direct link for local government into the EU legislative process. There was also concern that decision making and funding should not be retained by Whitehall and the devolved administrations following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, but that powers and funding should be devolved to local government. A report on the main areas of focus for lobbying on the Repeal Bill would be drafted over the summer, with input from the Task and Finish Group, as well as LGA Group Leaders, and the Executive would be kept appraised of activities accordingly.

In the discussion on other Bills, Members made the following comments:

·         It was noted that new, less legislative focused lobbying approaches would be required, including consideration of how the LGA frames its asks.

·         The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill had been highlighted by the Leadership Board as a Bill of significant importance and therefore warranted a higher prioritisation.

·         The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Relief from Non-Domestic Rates) Bill would be monitored to consider the potential impact on local government.

Decision

That the LGA Executive approved the suggested priority Bills for the LGA in the 2017/19 parliamentary session as set out in the report, and as amended by the Leadership Board on 19 July 2017.

The Senior Vice-Chair moved the report which included the 2016/17 annual reports of each LGA Board. The reports outlined the work each Board had overseen during the previous meeting cycle and outlined key achievements.

The report was agreed without comment.

Decision

The LGA Executive noted the Boards’ achievements and reflections on the 2016/17 meeting year.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 15 June 2017 are attached. The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 19 July 2017 will be tabled.

Decision

The LGA Executive noted the minutes of the Leadership Boards held on 15 June and 19 July 2017.

Decision

The LGA Executive agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2017.