Agenda and minutes

Mayor Sir Steve Bullock declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in Items 12 and 15 as a member of an LGA pension scheme (Item 12) and Director of AMA (Properties) Ltd (Item 15). Sir Steve also declared an interest in Item 11 – IDeA’s Revenue Support Grant 2016/17 onwards.

Jacqui McKinlay, Executive Director, thanked the LGA for the opportunity to address the Board. Jacqui informed Members that Lord Bob Kerslake took on the role of Chair of CfPs when Nick Raynsford MP stood down and that she had become Executive Director of the Centre following the departure of Jessica Crowe. She explained that Trustees were confident that these changes put CfPS in an excellent position to build on its track record to date but also adapt quickly to meet the changing demand from local government and the wider public sector.

Cllr Tony Jackson, Member of CfPS Board presented the Centre’s Annual Report.  Cllr Jackson set out the Centre’s activities in 2013/14 arising from its partnership with the LGA and its planned work programme for 2014/15 which had been discussed and agreed with LGA’s representatives.

With regard to the sector led improvement agenda, Cllr Jackson highlighted the comprehensive support delivered by the Centre to a number of local authorities   on issues including, expert assistance on devolution and governance, particularly governance change.

Concluding his presentation, Cllr Jackson thanked the Leadership Board for the LGA’s continued support and contribution to the work of CfPS.  

Jacqui McKinlay responded on a number of comments made by members on issues including local public accounts committees and the scrutiny of health and wellbeing boards.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the performance of the Centre for Public Scrutiny in 2013/14.

Alderman Sir David Wootton presented Local Partnerships Annual Report on the achievements of 2014/15, both in terms of benefit to local government and on the final performance for the year, including how the LGA’s RSG contribution was used. 

Sir David was pleased to report that Local Partnerships performed well against its four main objectives for 2014/15 and drew attention to its financial performance.  In particular, they developed and supported new programmes of housing and regeneration support and another supporting Growth Fund transport projects by LEPs and their local authority delivery partners.

Decision

The Leadership Board

·         noted the performance of Local Partnerships in 2013/14;

·         agreed to continued future working between the LGA and Local Partnerships to their mutual benefit.

Laurence Meehan, Head of Campaigns and External Communications, introduced a report which looked at the achievements and activities of the LGA’s campaign, “Investing in our nation’s future, the first 100 days of the new government.”  The LGA Executive would consider this report on 17 September.

Cllr Jim McMahon (Oldham) stressed the need to continue to monitor the LGA’s “100 Days” “Asks.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the outcomes of the campaign, “Investing in our nation’s future, the first 100 days of the new government.”

Action

Officers to progress as directed by members.

Stephen Hughes, Executive Director, introduced a report highlighting the LGA’s formal submission to the 2015 Spending Review process and setting out the planned work programme of engagement and media work throughout the autumn.  This report

would also be considered by the LGA Executive on 17 September.

Stephen Hughes referred in particular to the need for Government to provide full funding of the adult social care funding gap which was growing by just over £700 million a year on average. This was set out in the ‘Adult social care, health and wellbeing: A Shared Commitment’ (a joint paper with the Association of Directors fo Social Services.

Cllr Sharon Taylor (Stevenage), on behalf of the Board, thanked officers for their work on the spending review submission over the summer time.  

Members made a numbered of detailed comments, which were noted by officers, on issue including:

·         the changes to housing finance and the implications for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA);

·         the costs of additional school places;

·         the need to ensure that all New Burdens are fully funded.  

·         the escalating costs of Adult Social Care;

·         the recent EU ruling that for workers with no fixed office, travel should be counted as working time, and its implications for employers;

·         the lack of affordable housing.

Referring to the spending review submission from the LGA/Chief Fire Officers’  Association, Councillor David Hodge (Surrey County Council) expressed his disappointment at the lack of ambition in the submission.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the content of the report..

Action

Officers to proceed as directed by members.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the Chief Executive’s report for September 2015 and in particular that the LGA was developing a new finance peer challenge product for local authorities.

The Board considered the Forward Plan of the Leadership Board, LGA Executive and Councillors’ Forum and requested that the Forum discussion on 22 October 2015, to which Brandon Lewis, Minister of State for Housing & Planning, had been invited, should include consideration of housing finance.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the note of the last meeting.

Matters arising under the Minutes – Policy Priorities in 2015/16

Ian Hughes, Head of Programmes, referred to the Leadership Board meeting in July, when members agreed four policy priorities to steer Board work programmes: devolution/housing/adult care and finance. Leadership Board had asked officers to develop the detail of their proposals at the first Board meeting in September.  At this meeting each Board would discuss the four priorities and their contributions, following which a report would be brought back to the Leadership Board on the Boards’ proposals.

David Holdstock, Director of Communications, introduced a report which summarised feedback from the 2015 Annual Conference & Exhibition.

Members made a number of comments and suggestions which were noted by officers.

Leadership Board paid tribute to Roberta Henry, Deputy Head of Events, for the many successful LGA Conferences that she has delivered over the years and wished her well for the future, as she would be leaving the LGA shortly.

Decision

The Leadership Board

·         noted feedback from this year’s Conference;

·         requested that their comments be taken into account for the 2016 Conference

·         agreed the recommendations set out in the report.

Action

Officers to progress plans for Annual Conference 2016 in line with members’ comments and decisions.

Stephen Hughes, Executive Director, introduced a report updating the Board on current commercial initiatives.

Decision

The Leadership Board

·         noted the report;

·         endorsed the approach taken to advance these commercial opportunities;

·         agreed to receive a further report to the Board in the autumn.

Action

Officers to take forward in line with the Board’s decisions.

Dennis Skinner, Head of Improvement, introduced the report.

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the work underway to make the case for RSG funding for the IDeA for 2016/17 onwards.

The Board received an update report on the LGA and IDeA pensions’ position.  

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

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations set out in the report.  

Stephen Gray, Programme Director, introduced a report.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed recommendations as set out in the report.

Paul Brack, Strategic Finance Adviser, introduced a report.

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

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the new charging model for LG House tenants.

Mayor Sir Steve Bullock (Lewisham Council) introduced a report.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the recommendations set out in the report..