LGA Governance


Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Smith Square 1&2, Ground Floor, 18 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ. View directions

Contact: Cathy Boyle 

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

Councillor Robert Light declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Item 3 as he is a Member of the Audit Commission.

2.

First 100 Days (to be tabled)

Minutes:

Michael Lockwood, Director of Finance & Policy, introduced the First 100 Days document, to be launched at Annual Conference in Bournemouth.  

 

The document set out a range of commitments from local government to the new government in May 2015, if a radical and devolved model for public services was put in place, Michael Lockwood emphasised that implementation of proposals set out in the document would save the public sector, £11 billion.

 

Michael informed the Board this revised version, which was due to be signed off by the Executive the following day, reflected comments made at the working lunch in April.

 

Members were in agreement on the style and ambition of the paper, and appreciated the use of case studies.

 

Members made a number of detailed comments on issues including:

 

·         the potential to incorporate in the paper a paragraph on transport;

·         the building of local affordable homes;

·         the need to ensure that viable infrastructure is in place in areas of new build;

·         devolving funding to the local level;

·         the lack of capacity in some LEPs to address long term unemployment;

·         powers to challenge underperforming academies and free schools.

 

Members paid tribute to Michael Lockwood and all LGA staff who contributed to the development of the paper.  

 

The LGA Executive would receive a presentation on the First100 Days at its meeting on 12 June.

 

Action

 

Following the LGA Executive discussion, officers to prepare the final document for launch at Annual Conference on 8 July 2014.

 

3.

Audit Transitional Body pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Minutes:

Michael Coughlin introduced a report updating the Board on the progress being made and key issues to be addressed in taking forward the Transitional Body to manage the existing public sector external audit contracts when the Audit Commission closes on 31 March 2015. Further reports would be brought to the Board as the programme of work progresses.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board noted the arrangements put in place to establish the transitional body to manage the existing external audit contracts.

 

Action

 

Officers to take forward in as set out in the report.

4.

Municipal Bonds Agency pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Raynes introduced a report providing an update on the establishment of the Municipal Bonds Agency. The paper asked for the LGA’s continued support for the project and to promote the benefits of the Agency within the local government community and, through the political groups, to colleagues at a national level. Paul informed the Board that he was confident that the match funding required from councils would be achieved by mid-July.

 

A note was tabled at the meeting asking for the LGA’s help in promoting the Agency, but advising members to avoid getting involved in selling equity or raising cash for it because of legal restrictions.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board noted the report and agreed to continue to support the establishment of the Agency, whilst promoting its benefits to both member councils and the wider community.

Action

 

Officers to action as set out in the report.

5.

European Update pdf icon PDF 131 KB

Minutes:

Ian Hughes, Head of Programmes, European & International, introduced a report setting out recommendations to enhance the LGA’s influence during a period of political change in Brussels this year, including the impact of the recent European Parliament elections.  Ian Hughes referred in particular to the imbalance of UK representation in Brussels as a result of the role of devolved administrations in the UK’s formal decision making processes for the European Union.

 

Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman, stressed the importance of the Chair of the LGA leading EU lobbying and of the LGA maintaining a regular presence in Brussels over the coming months to ensure a voice for English local government and to influence on issues relating to local government.

 

Members made a member of detailed comments which were noted by officers.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations set out in the report to enhance LGA influence in Brussels over the coming months.

 

Action

 

Officers to take forward as set out in the report

6.

LGA Proportionality 2013/14 (to be tabled) pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Minutes:

A paper, setting out the revised proportionality for 2014/15 and its implications for the distribution of seats amongst the political groups, was tabled at the meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board noted the proportionality figures for 2014/15, as the basis for negotiating the allocation of chairs and vice-chairs and populating all member structures.

 

Action

 

Political Groups to agree the allocations of places across all LGA structures.   

 

7.

LGA Annual Conference & Exhibition 2014 pdf icon PDF 202 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leadership Board received a report updating them on the progress made to date with arrangements for the LGA Annual Conference, taking place in Bournemouth from 8-10 July 2014.

 

Roberta Henry, Deputy Head of Events, informed the Board that since the paper was written a further 120 delegate bookings had been received, taking the total delegate bookings up to 870.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board approved the final programme and activities for the 2014 Conference.

8.

Communications Annual Report 2013/14 pdf icon PDF 254 KB

Minutes:

David Holdstock, Director of Communications, introduced a report outlining communications activity against targets for the period April 2013 to March 2014.

 

Sir Merrick Cockell, on behalf of the Leadership Board, congratulated David Holdstock on the improvements in the LGA’s communications activity over the last 12 months, and in particular, the balance of proactive versus reactive activity.

 

Sir Merrick noted that the percentage of Peers who believed the LGA was effective had remained unchanged and indicated that this was an area to focus on.

 

Cllr Andrew Lewer asked that a survey of UK European Parliamentarians be undertaken to gauge their perception of the LGA’s effectiveness.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board noted the communications activity for 2013/14.

 

Action

 

Officers to provide a report for the first quarter 2014/15 to the next meeting.

9.

Full Year Performance Report 2013/14 pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Helen Platts, Head of Finance and Business Management, introduced a report reviewing the LGA’s performance in delivering the priorities in the 2013/14 business plan.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board noted the twelve month performance report on delivery against the 2013/14 business plan.

 

Action

 

Officers to provide a performance report for the first quarter 2014/15 to the next meeting.

10.

LGA Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year to 31 March 2013 pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Helen Platts, introduced a report providing a commentary on the accounts and the LGA’s overall financial performance for the year. Helen also outlined a number of amendments to the Consolidated Accounts which are set out at Appendix A to these minutes.

 

Alistair Duke of PKF Littlejohn, the appointed external Auditors, reported to the Board on the audit of the LGA. The Auditors had reviewed the Consolidated Financial Statements and recommended them for adoption by the LGA’s General Assembly.

 

Helen Platts thanked Paul Brack, Finance & Accounting Sales Director, Liberata and his team for their work in producing the 2013/14 accounts.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board agreed the LGA’s consolidated accounts for 2013/14.

 

11.

Annual Report of the LGA's Audit Committee pdf icon PDF 181 KB

Minutes:

Helen Platts, Head of Finance and Business Management, introduced a report providing an overview of areas reviewed and work undertaken by the LGA’s Audit Committee in 2013/14.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board noted the report.

 

12.

LGA Vice-Presidents 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 139 KB

Minutes:

Members received a report setting out those Members of the House of Commons, House of Lords and European Parliament that the LGA Political Groups had invited to be Vice-Presidents for 2014/15, and who the Groups hope to formally appoint following their agreement.

 

Recommendation

 

The Leadership Board noted the appointments made by the Political Groups.

 

 

 

 

Action

 

Agreed appointments to be formally reported at the LGA General Assembly.

13.

LGA Constitution [see LGA Executive agenda]

Minutes:

The Chairman briefly introduced a report recommending to the LGA Executive a series of amendments to the Constitution and Political Conventions.  Subject to the agreement of the Executive on 12 June, the amendments would be commended to the General Assembly on 8 July 2014.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board noted the report.

 

Action

 

Following the LGA Executive discussion, officers to present the final recommendations to the General Assembly on 8 July 2014.

14.

Chief Executive's Monthly Report - June 2014 pdf icon PDF 137 KB

Minutes:

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

 

Decision

 

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

15.

LGA Executive Agenda

Minutes:

Decision

 

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

 

 

16.

LGA Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Minutes:

The Leadership Board received a report inviting them to consider items they would like to see on future agendas of the LGA Leadership Board, LGA Executive and Councillors’ Forum.

 

The Board identified the following items for the September meeting of the LGA Executive:

 

·         report from the Finance Commission;

·         Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Independent Commission on Economic Growth and the future of public services in non-metropolitan England.

 

Decision

 

The Leadership Board endorsed the Forward Plan and specific topics and items for future meetings of the LGA Executive, Leadership Board and Councillors’ Forum, subject to the inclusion of the above two items.

 

Action

 

Officers to revise the Forward Plan in line with Members’ decision.

17.

Note of the last meeting

Minutes:

Decision

 

The Leadership Board agreed the note of the last meeting.

18.

Discretionary Policies under the LG Pension Scheme (LGPS) and related Regulations for LGA Employees

Minutes:

The Leadership Board noted the report and approved the recommendations

 

Date of Next Meeting:

 

Wednesday, 16 July 2014 at 2.00pm, Smith Square Rooms 1 & 2.

19.

Property Strategy Update

Minutes:

The Leadership Board noted progress with implementation of the LGA’s property strategy.