Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

The Leadership Board received a report inviting their steer on the high level priorities for 2015/16, as the basis for the LGA’s business planning process. 

The Board considered the analysis in the discussion paper suggesting how they might wish to review the three strategic priorities in the current business plan ie. funding for local government, economic growth, jobs and housing and public services reform

Members were in broad agreement that

• the economic growth priority should be retained in view of the fact that councils are recognised as central to revitalising local economies;

• devolution would be a top priority moving forward;

• sector led improvement should be included as a high level priority for the LGA for 2015/16, in view of increasing pressure from government on this area.

Decisions

The Leadership Board

·         agreed  to give further consideration to the LGA’s priorities for 2015/16 in considering the draft business plan in January;

·         noted the budget framework for 2015/16, prior to a more detailed budget being presented to the Leadership Board in January.

Action

Officers to action as set out in the report.                                               

Helen Platts introduced a report inviting the Board to review the performance report for the second quarter.  Helen informed the Board that work is underway and broadly on track to deliver the majority of programmes identified in the business plan.

In response to a question, Helen said that the LGA operated with a relatively high cash balance which gave flexibility, to make investment decisions regarding Layden House and to reduce the pensions’ deficit early.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the performance report for the year to date.

Action

Officers to provide further quarterly reports.                                                        

The Leadership Board received a report summarising the LGA member appointments for the 2014/15 meeting cycle. 

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the list of outside bodies and representatives which the LGA has appointed for the 2014/15 meeting year.

David Holdstock, Director of Communications, introduced a paper outlining communications activity between July and September 2014. This  quarter had seen a rise in national media coverage year-on-year driven by a proactive media campaign for 100 days and the summer grid of proactive stories.

Whilst the majority of coverage was positive, issues receiving negative publicity included criticism of local government on care leavers being placed in B&B accommodation, progress of the Winterbourne View Joint Improvement Programme and parking charges.

David Holdstock also outlined recent public affairs activity, including activity relating to the recent party conferences. For the first time, the public affairs team had produced guides to each of the party conferences which were downloaded almost 6000 times.  Twitter was also used to maximise the LGA’s reach at conferences.

Board were informed that, in the light of the media interest in the devolution debate, the media team had produced a Communications Grid.

Members made a number of detailed comments which were noted by officers.  In particular, members recognised that although local government had a collective view of what devolution would mean for councils, it would take a different form in different parts of the country.

Cllr David Sparks, Chair, referred to discussions at a recent meeting with the Chairs of CoSLA, the WLGA and NILGA on developing a common approach to devolution to local level was discussed.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the communications activity for the period July to September 2014.

Action

Officers to continue to provide quarter reports to the Board.                             

David Holdstock introduced a report which summarised feedback from the 2014 Annual conference and gave members the opportunity to advise and comment on the direction of the 2015 event.

Members made a number of comments and suggestions which were noted by officers, including:

·           the inclusion of international speakers in future programmes;

·           invitation to the following to speak at the 2015 Conference:

-     Sir John Peace, Chairman, Independent Commission on Economic Growth and the Future of Public Services in non-Metropolitan England;

-     Sir Michael Lyons, Lyons Housing Review;

-     Lord Adonis on the Adonis Growth Review.

Decision

The Leadership Board  

·                noted feedback from this year’s Conference;

·             requested that their comments be taken into account for next year’s conference;

·                agreed the recommendations set out in the report.

Action

Officers to progress plans for Annual Conference 2015 in line with

members’ comments and decisions.                                                                       

Decision

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

Members received the Forward Plan for the Leadership Board, LGA Executive and Councillors’ Forum.

The Board discussed a request from Derby City Council for a LGA debate on a proposal to give councils powers to introduce a levy on the rateable value of large supermarkets in view of their impact on local communities and the environment, but felt that this should more appropriately be discussed by the Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board.

Decision

The Leadership Board endorsed the Forward Plan of the LGA Executive, Leadership Board and Councillors’ Forum.

The Leadership Board agreed the note of the last meeting.

The Leadership Board noted the minutes of the Commercial Advisory Board meeting on 6 October 2014.

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations.

The Leadership Board agreed the broad scope of the review, subject to their comments.

The Leadership Board noted the report and endorsed the LGA’s continued support.

The Leadership Board discussed the report and agreed the recommendations.

Date of Next Meeting: 11 December 2014 at 11.00am in Smith Square Rooms 1 & 2