Agenda and minutes

Mayor Sir Steve Bullock (Lewisham) Council declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Item 1 as he is a Director of AMA Properties Board.

See Part 2.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted its Membership and Terms of Reference for 2014/15.

To be tabled.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the dates of the Leadership Board, LGA Executive and Councillors’ Forum in 2014/15.

David Holdstock, Director of Communications, introduced a paper outlining communications activity between April and June 2014.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the communications activity for the period April to June 2014.

Action

Officers to continue to provide quarterly reports to the Board.

Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE, Chair of the Finance Panel outlined a number of successes resulting from the LGA’s local government finance campaigning including

·         part localisation of the business rate  - councils to be able to retain 80-90% of business rate income by 2020;

·         The LGA taking on responsibility for the Audit Commission’s £85 million of audit contracts when it closes in March 2015.

·         the up to £3.8 billion Better Care Fund (subject to concerns over proposed changes);

Carolyn Downs updated the Board on the Better Care Fund, expressing significant reservations about the proposed changes.  Every Health and Wellbeing Board would now need to revise their Better Care Fund Plan and Carolyn would be writing to Chief Executives

Following feedback from government officials on the LGA’s Spending Round 2013 submission, the Finance Panel recommended that the LGA adopt a more focussed and assertive approach to future lobbying. A number of areas that the LGA might concentrate on in the run up to the next Spending Review were set out in the paper.

Councillor David Sparks OBE (Chair) highlighted that outcome of the Scottish Referendum would contribute to the financial context in the run up to the next Spending Review.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the progress to date on local government finance campaigning.

Action

Officers to take forward as directed by Members.

The Leadership Board received a report summarising the work that it had undertaken over the past year, and its main achievements.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the report.

To be tabled.

Roberta Henry, Deputy Head of Events, presented initial feedback from the 2014 Annual Conference.  Roberta reported that the exhibition had sold out and that a good level of sponsorship had been achieved.  Attendance this year was just under 1300.  In relation to media activity, the LGA received 3254 mentions in national/regional/trade/broadcast and on-line publications.

Members acknowledged the work of the Events team to make Annual Conference run so smoothly and made a number of detailed comments which would inform the programme for future conference, including

• the need to give further consideration to how the Bournemouth venue is used in the future;
• the need to ensure that fringe sessions are not run in parallel with main plenary sessions, in order to maximise attendance at plenaries. Roberta explained that this had happened mainly due to slippage in the Innovation Zone programme.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted feedback from this year’s Conference;

Action

Officers to provide full feedback to the Executive on 11 September.

The Leadership Board received the Annual Reports of the Special Interest Groups.  Copies of the detailed reports were available on request.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the report.

To follow.

The Board received a request for approval for two Community Wellbeing Board Task Groups to examine the following issues.

·         local government’s role in respect of an ageing society;

·         housing for adults with health and social care needs.

Decision

The Leadership Board approved the establishment of the Task Groups.

Action

Officers to action in accordance with the Board’s decision.

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

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the Chief Executive’s report for July 2014 and agreed to continue to receive reports to future Board meetings.

the quick brown

The Leadership Board considered the forward plan of the Leadership Board, Executive and Councillors’ Forum and requested the addition of the following items.

LGA Leadership Board

10 September – Property updates

22 October -  Report from the Commercial Advisory Board

LGA Executive

23 October – The Scottish Referendum

Councillors’ Forum

23 October  -  The Scottish Referendum

Decision

The Leadership Board endorsed the Forward Plan and of the LGA Executive, Leadership Board and Councillors’ Forum, subject to the inclusion of the above items.

Action

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

Board Chairs’ Reports

Carolyn Downs, Chief  Executive, highlighted the opportunity for Leadership Board to contribute to the Boards’ work programmes.

Decision

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

The Leadership Board noted the presentation.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the note of the last meeting.

Circulated via email.  

Members noted the report from Carolyn Downs and the Board agreed its recommendations.

Members noted the report from David Holdstock, Director of Communications, and agreedthe proposals.

The Leadership Board noted the report from Carolyn Downs and agreed the recommendations.

Date of Next Meeting: 10 September 2014 at 2pm