LGA Governance


Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Frances Marshall  0207 664 3220 / Email: frances.marshall@local.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies and Congratulations

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from:

·         Cllr Keith Wakefield OBE

·         Cllr Anne Western

·         Cllr Sue Murphy CBE

·         Cllr Philippa Roe

·         Cllr Peter Reeve (unable to attebnd by video conference)

 

The Leadership Board congratulated Cllr Nick Forbes and Cllr Sue Murphy CEB on their appointments as Vice-Chair and Deputy-Chair of the Association respectively.  They also put on record their gratitude to Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE and Sir Steve Bullock for jointly undertaking the Vice-Chair role in recent months. 

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson declared an interest in item 9 ‘Annual Accounts 2015-16 and FRS102 Update’ as a member of the IDeA Pension Scheme.

 

3.

EU Referendum pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Minutes:

The Board noted the LGA’s neutral position with regards to the EU Referendum on 23 June to reflect the diversity of views among local government about Britain's EU membership.

 

Decision 

The LGA Leadership Board noted the LGA’s agreed statement on the EU referendum.

4.

LGA Perceptions Survey 2015/2016 pdf icon PDF 215 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members discussed the report and made a number of comments, including:

 

The Board were encouraged by the overall trajectory of the survey results - particularly given the survey was conducted at the same time as the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) was announced - however noted the need to increase efforts to engage with frontline councillors. 

 

They asked for more detail about the reasons why a small number of respondents feel less positive about the work of the LGA and to ensure future surveys consider the Welsh membership perspective.

 

There was unanimous support for continuing with an annual perceptions survey of councils.

 

The Board commissioned an action plan to be brought back to a future meeting detailing how the results would be taken forward and inform future LGA work. 

 

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board:

      i.        noted the results of the 2015/2016 perceptions survey;

     ii.        agreed to continue with an annual perceptions survey of councils;

    iii.        agreed that increased efforts be made to engage with frontline councillors; and

   iv.        agreed that a perceptions survey action plan be brought to a future Leadership Board.

 

Action

LGA Perceptions Survey Action Plan to be brought to a future Leadership Board. (David Holdstock)

5.

LGA Budget pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Brack (Strategic Finance Manager) introduced the LGA Budget for 2016/17.  In doing so, he drew attention to the assumptions underpinning it and noted that adjustments might need to be made to reflect the final grant notification from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

 

In the subsequent discussion, Members asked a number of specific questions which were responded to by officers relating to: the trend in contribution from specific reserves; commercial income targets; and longer term budget setting.  

 

The Board emphasised the importance of member oversight in approving any necessary budgetary adjustments to reflect the final grant notification from DCLG and in monitoring progress in meeting commercial income targets.

 

Decisions  

The LGA Leadership Board:

       i.        agreed the LGA’s budget for 2016-17 for recommendation to the LGA Executive; and

      ii.        agreed to delegate approval to make necessary budgetary adjustments to reflect the final grant notification from DCLG to the LGA Chairman and Group Leaders, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive.

 

Action

That Group Leaders be kept updated on progress in meeting the new £500k commercial income target. (Sarah Pickup / Sebastian Hribar)

6.

Chief Executive's report - March 2016 pdf icon PDF 240 KB

Minutes:

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 January.  In doing so, he highlighted those councils currently on notice to leave LGA membership and drew attention to the additional funding secured for the sector in the Final LGFS as a particular success.

 

Decision

 

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

7.

LGA Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 170 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

·         A report to the Leadership Board in July on the implications for local government of the outcome of the EU referendum on 23 June.

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the forward plan.

 

Action

Update Forward Plan (Frances Marshall).

8.

Note of the Audit Committee held on 18 January 2016 pdf icon PDF 171 KB

Minutes:

Decision

The LGA  Leadership Board noted the minutes of the previous Audit Committee meeting held on 16 January 2016.

9.

Annual Accounts 2015-16 and FRS102 Update pdf icon PDF 188 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Brack introduced the report which asked Leadership Board to review and approve the draft revised Accounting Policies to comply with the new FRS102 reporting standards.

 

In the discussion that followed, questions were asked relating to the Public Sector Audit Accounts Body (PSAA) and the approach to the LGA’s holiday pay accrual.  Members highlighted the opportunity provided by the current sector wide audit arrangements coming to an end in 2017/18 to strengthening the LGA’s membership offer should another sector-led body be created.

 

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board:

      i.        approved the amended accounting policies for the Local Government Association Accounts and the Group Consolidated Accounts; and

     ii.        noted the amended accounting policies for the Improvement and Development Agency and Local Government Association Properties.

Confidential

10.

Housing and Planning

Minutes:

Eamon Lally (Principle Policy Adviser) introduced the report which updated on the work being done to influence the proposals set out in the Housing and Planning Bill.

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed that the Housing and Planning be discussed at the LGA Executive meeting on 3 March 2016.   

 

Action

The Housing and Planning item  - including headline findings from the LGA survey of stock owning local authorities in England – to be circulated the LGA Executive and publically discussed the meeting on 3 March 2016.   (Paul Goodchild / Eamon Lally).

11.

Preparing for the move to 100 per cent Business Rates Retention

Minutes:

Sarah Pickup (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the report which sets out the main areas of work associated with the move to 100% business rates retention and sought Members’ views on proposed joint working between the LGA and DCLG to engage with councils and other stakeholders to ensure the issues of concern to all councils are given appropriate consideration. 

 

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board agreed:

                 i.        the establishment of a Member level group to oversee the work of the LGA on 100 per cent business rates retention;

                ii.        that Group Leaders steer LGA positioning in relation to joint work to ensure that the LGA remains true to its obligations to its membership;

               iii.        that officers should work jointly with DCLG to engage with the sector on evidence gathering, fact finding, consideration of options for transferring services and ensuring all relevant matters are taken into account in the design of the new system. All subject to oversight by the member steering group and review of the appropriateness of continued joint work at each stage; and

              iv.        that a dedicated area of the LGA’s website be used for the publication of papers and facilitation of engagement with councils.

12.

Devolution Update

To follow on a supplemental agenda.

Minutes:

Andrew Campbell (Associate Director) introduced the report which sought Members’ views on the LGA’s approach to the next phase of devolution through to the summer of 2017.

 

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the approach and next steps identified in the report.

13.

LGA Annual Conference & Exhibition

Minutes:

David Holdstock and Amanda Spicer (Deputy Head of Events) briefly introduced the report which updated on arrangements for the LGA Annual Conference from 5 July–7 July 2016. 

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board approved the emerging programme and activities for the 2016 Annual Conference.

14.

Campaigns for 2016/2017

Minutes:

David Holdstock introduced the report which sought Leadership Board’s approval for the 2016/2017 corporate campaigns plan set out in the report.

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board approved the LGA’s 2016 Campaign Plan.

15.

London Living Wage

Minutes:

Sarah Pickup briefly introduced the report regarding the London Living Wage.

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed to bring a further report on the issue to the next meeting of the Board.

 

Action

That a report be brought to the Leadership Board meeting on 6 April. (Claire Holloway)

16.

Layden House Refurbishment Update

Minutes:

Sarah Pickup briefly introduced the report which updated on the planned refurbishment of Layden House.

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the timescale for the planned Layden House refurbishment.

17.

Financing LGMB Ltd Property Company

Minutes:

Paul Brack introduced the report regarding financing of the LGMB Ltd Property Company.

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed a £1.0 million short term loan to meet LGMB Ltd Property Company cashflow requirements.

18.

IDeA's Grant 2016/17 onwards

Minutes:

Dennis Skinner (Head of Improvement) introduced the report which updated on the IDeA's Grant from 2016/17 onwards.

 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the position regarded the IDeA's Grant from 2016/17 onwards.

19.

Note of the last Commercial Advisory Board held on 11 January 2016

Minutes:

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the minutes of the previous Commercial Advisory Board meeting held on 11 January 2016.

20.

Note of the last Leadership Board meeting held on 20 January 2016

Minutes:

Decision

The Leadership Board agreed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 January 2016.