Several declarations were made in relation to Item 8 ‘ LGA Financial Strategy’ as follows:

·         Mayor Sir Steve Bullock as a Director of the AMA Company Board.         

·         Cllr Anne Western as a Member of the County Council’s Network Management Committee.

·         Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson a Director of the IDeA Company Board.

The Board considered the Forward Plan of the Leadership Board, LGA Executive and Councillors’ Forum and asked that the following additional items be added:

·         A report to the Leadership Board in March on the EU referendum. 

·         A report to a future Leadership Board on the LGA’s work in moving towards 100% Business Rates Retention.

·         A report to the Leadership Board on the work of the Environment, Economy, Housing & Transport Board on Transport and specifically the Bus‘s Bill. 

With reference to measures in the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS), the Board highlighted the need to clearly articulate the scale and human impact of the funding pressure on adult social care, both in communications with Government and the public. 

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the forward plan subject to the inclusion of future items on the EU Referendum, Business Rates Retention and Transport.

Action

Update the Forward Plan.  (Frances Marshall)

See Executive Agenda

Decision

The agenda for the LGA Executive meeting on 21 January was noted without further comment.

Mark Lloyd (Chief Executive) introduced the report which set out the LGA’s main achievements against the business plan priorities since the last meeting in December. 

In the following confidential discussion, Members commented on the LGA’s membership strategy and improvement work. 

Decision

The Leadership Board noted the Chief Executive’s report for January 2016.

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 December 2015 as a correct record.

To follow on a supplemental agenda.

Sarah Pickup (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the LGA’s draft submission to Her Majesty’s Treasury in advance of the 2016 Budget due on 16 March, for the Board’s comment and clearance.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed that the draft 2016 Budget submission be updated to reflect their comments and re-circulated to the Board for approval prior to its submission to Her Majesty’s Treasury.  

Action

That the 2016 Budget submission be updated to reflect the Board’s comments and recirculated to the Board for clearance.  (Nicola Morton)

To follow on a supplemental agenda.

The LGA Chairman introduced the report by providing an update on LGA Group Leaders’ ongoing discussions with Government on the Housing and Planning Bill and sought Members’ view on next steps now that the Bill had entered the House of Lords. 

In the subsequent discussion, Members agreed a revised lobbying approach, starting with a public discussion at LGA Executive meeting the following day.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed to adopt a stronger position to parts of the Bill through focused LGA Parliamentary, campaigning and media activity.

Action                                                                                                

Revise lobbying approach in line with Members’ steer  (Eamon Lally).

Table the item for discussion at Executive on 21 January.  (Paul Goodchild).

Sarah Pickup outlined the report which updated on progress with implementing key elements of the LGA's Financial Strategy and identified further actions for the Board’s agreement to ensure the future financial sustainability of the LGA.

There followed a confidential discussion, in which members highlighted the complexity of the LGA’s company structure and supporting financial arrangements. 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the recommended next steps as part of the LGA's Financial Strategy.

Paul Brack (Strategic Finance Manager) briefly presented the LGA’s Treasury Management policy for the Board’s approval and outlined current LGA performance in this area. 

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the LGA’s Treasury Management policy and noted the LGA’s Treasury Management performance over the past year.

Claire Holloway (Head of Corporate Services) updated Members on the planned refurbishment of Local Government House and summarised the recommendations of the LGA (Properties) Ltd Board.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed:

·         funding to progress to the next stage of design; and

·         to defer consideration of full project funding until detailed designs and costings had been completed.