Agenda and minutes

As this was Daniel Goodwin’s last meeting, Cllr Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman, thanked him for his contribution to the work of the LGA over the past sixteen months and wished him well for the future.

The Chairman welcomed Michael Lockwood, new Executive Director, Finance and Policy who started at the LGA the previous week.

Ian Hughes, Head of Programmes, Economic Growth and International, introduced a report setting out headline issues from a recent meeting of the UK Forum, the annual meeting of the political leadership of the four UK local government associations.

Ian Hughes summarised the key issues currently being addressed by WLGA, CoSLA and NILGA, wider local government issues and how the Associations together might develop the work of the UK Forum.

Members had a full discussion on the mutual benefits of developing the LGA’s relationships with the other three local government associations, and the potential for strengthening our arguments by speaking with one voice.   However, members emphasised the differing bases on which those relationships stood. In particular Welsh authorities, as members of the LGA through the WLGA, were entitled to a distinct service and support from the LGA.

Members referred to the importance of local public service reform as one of the CoSLA’s key arguments in the current Scottish referendum campaign. However, joint work on this issue is unlikely to be achievable until after the Referendum has taken place.

In summary, the Members acknowledged the value of continuing to develop our relationships with the WLGA, CoSLA and NiLGA. With this in mind, Members suggested that Chairman and Group Leaders meet with the Chairs of the other three associations as soon as possible after the Scottish Referendum on 18 September, to take forward discussions.

Decisions

The Leadership Board

·         noted the headline messages from the UK Forum: and

·         agreed that the Chairman and Group Leaders meet

with the Chairs of WLGA, CoSLA and NILGA shortly after

the Scottish Referendum.

Action

Officers to take forward as set out above.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the LGA’s Business Plan for 2014/15 for recommendation to the LGA Executive.

Action

LGA Executive to consider the Business Plan on 20 March 2014.

Helen Platts, Head of Finance and Business Management, introduced the budget book for 2014/15, setting out the LGA’s financial strategy for the next two years and presenting proposals for the 2014/15 Budget.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the 2014/15 budget prior to this being presented to Executive for agreement.

Action

LGA Executive to consider the 2014/15 budget on 20 March 2014.

The Leadership Board received a report setting out a request from the Rural Services Network to change the name of SPARSE Special Interest Group to the Rural Services Network SIG and to broaden its membership to include all councils with an interest in rural affairs.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the change of name from SPARSE Rural SIG to the Rural Services Network SIG and the broadening of its membership to include all councils with an interest in rural affairs.

Action

Officers to inform the SIG of Leadership Board’s decision.  

The Leadership Board received the Chief Executive’s monthly report for March 2014.

Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive, reported that Nottingham City Council and Rossendale Borough Council had confirmed that they were rolling over their notice for a further year.

The Chief Executive reported that she had written to those councils who had not yet formally withdrawn their notice and was awaiting responses. 

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the Executive’s report for March 2014.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the Executive agenda for the following day.

Decisions

The Leadership Board noted the Forward Plan.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the note of the last meeting.

The Leadership Board noted the report and approved the recommendations.

The Leadership Board noted the report.

The Leadership Board noted the report.

The Leadership Board noted the report and agreed the recommendation.