Apologies for absence were received from:

·         Cllr Anne Western CBE

·         Cllr David Hodge

·         Cllr Sean Anstee

Mayor Sir Steve Bullock declared an interest in items 8 and 9 as a Director of the IDeA Company Board and Member of the Housing & Finance Institute (HFI) Board.

On behalf of the Board, the Chairman congratulated Cllr Philippa Roe who was recognised in the 2016 Resignation Honours List and would be invested as a Peer in the House of Lords on 15 September 2016.    

Decision

The Board agreed to alter the order of the agenda to take the Local Partnerships items as the first order of business.

Alderman Sir David Wootton (LP Chairman) and Sean Hanson (LP Chief Executive) introduced Local Partnerships’ Annual Report on the achievements of 2015/16, both in terms of benefit to local government and on the final performance for the year, including how the LGA’s RSG contribution (now government grant) was used.

In doing so, they reported that Local Partnerships had performed well against its five main objectives for 2015/16 and outlined the feedback mechanisms in place to ensure it remains relevant to its owners and councils.  They highlighted the changing trends in demand for support, as well as how Local Partnerships were adapting their work programmes and resources accordingly.    

Highlighting Local Partnerships’ financial performance, Members were informed that at year end, Local Partnerships were operating a surplus which would allow for repayment of loan stock to the LGA and HM Treasury. 

In the following discussion, members thanked Sir David and Sean for their report, welcomed the work of Local Partnerships, and asked a number of detailed questions about particular aspects of their work. 

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board

      i.        noted the performance of Local Partnerships in 2015/16; and

      ii.            agreed that their comments inform future Local Partnership work.

The report, which sought the Board’s agreement to vary the current Local Partnerships’ membership agreement, was moved and agreed without further comment. 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed to amend the current Local Partnerships’ membership agreement as outlined in the report. 

Jacqui McKinlay (CfPS Chief Executive), Lord Kerslake (CfP Chair) and Cllr Tony Jackson (CfPS Trustee) introduced the Centre for Public Scrutiny’s (CfPS) Annual 2015/16 report which set out the charity’s key areas of focus, the work delivered and outcomes achieved.  It was noted that the credibility and profile of the organisation continued to grow.  Particular reference was made to the implications for support to local authorities on health scrutiny given the reduction in funding from the Department of Health for this area of work. 

In the following discussion, Members endorsed the work of the charity and asked a number of questions relating to health scrutiny, the role and engagement of health partners in it, as well as public involvement in scrutinising the negotiation as well as delivery of devolution deals.  

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board:

      i.        noted the performance of Centre for Public Scrutiny in 2015/16; and

     ii.        agreed that their comments inform future Centre for Public Scrutiny’s work.

To follow on a supplemental agenda: Draft LGA responses to the consultations.

Sarah Pickup (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the item which set out draft LGA responses to two DCLG documents on business rates retention (BRR.  These were:  ‘Self Sufficient Local Government: 100% Business Rates Retention’; and ‘Fair Funding Review: Call for Evidence on Needs and Redistribution’.  Sarah provided a high level overview of the two responses and invited Members to comment on and agree the LGA’s draft responses.  These would also be considered by the LGA Executive the following day for further comment.

There followed a detailed discussion during which Board members:

·           Commended the papers for having secured significant areas of consensus, and were supportive of the overarching principles. However certain issues would benefit from a sharper focus and strengthening of message.   

·           Noted that there was a coalition of third sector organisation that were supportive of the LGA’s position with regards to attendance allowance. 

·           Raised a question about the impact of recent change in Government on the scope of the BRR proposals.

·           Discussed a number of specific issues, including the Dedicated Schools Grant; flexibly within Housing Revenue funding; external cost pressures; holistic approach to expenditure; the complexities of BRR in Devo deal areas and risk of top slicing; the position of Fire within the BRR scheme; levels of appeals and associated risk; the balance between simplicity and fairness; impact of business closure on a locality; cyclical impact of growth on BRR levels; unfunded service delivery; charitable relief; BR avoidance; and infrastructure levy.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the LGA’s draft responses to the DCLG’s consultations, subject to inclusion of Leadership Board's comments and those of the LGA Executive the following day.

Action

That the LGA responses to the consultation be updated to reflect members’ comments.  Sarah Pickup

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 July.  In doing so, he drew attention to high levels of media and political engagement activity over the summer and thanked members for their valuable role in acting as media spokespeople for the LGA. He sought Members’ support in engaging with authorities currently on notice to leave.  

The report was agreed without further comment.

Decision

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

The Forward Plan was moved by the Chairman without further comment.

Member identified a number of items for future inclusion:

·         The Government’s Education Green Paper; and

·         Local Government and Layden House Refurbishment updates.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the forward plan subject to the addition of the items identified above.

Action

Update the Forward plan in line with members’ direction.  Frances Marshall.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the LGA Executive agenda for the meeting on 15 September.

The following items were considered in the confidential section of the meeting.

Decision

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

Claire Holloway (Head of Corporate Services) briefly introduced the report which set out an application from the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Joint Ferry Committee to join the LGA’s Associate Membership Scheme. 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the Tamar Bridge & Torpoint Joint Ferry Committee’s application to join the LGA’s Associate Membership Scheme.

Ian Hughes (Head Policy - Place) introduced the report which provided an update on the LGA’s work on Brexit and set out suggested options for developing its position on it.

There followed a confidential discussion in which members welcomed the proposed areas of focus for LGA activity as set out in the report. There was a discussion regarding the structures required to deliver this work and it was agreed that a report be submitted to Group Leaders on this for their consideration. 

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board agreed:

      i.        the recommendations as outlined in the report; and

     ii.        that Group Leaders be delegated responsibility to decide the appropriate LGA structures and associated resourcing implications to deliver it.

Action

Report to be submitted to a future Informal Group Leaders.  Ian Hughes

Sarah Pickup (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the report which asked members to provide a steer on the tone, key priorities and direction of the LGA’s submission to Government in advance of the Autumn Statement on 23 November. 

There followed a confidential discussion in which members provided their views on the key priorities and messages for local government.

Decisions

The Leadership Board agreed:

i.      that their comments inform the LGA’s submission to Government in advance of the Autumn Statement; and

ii.     that the LGA Chairman & Political Group Leaders be delegated responsibility to clear the Statement for submission to Government.

Sarah Pickup (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the report which outlined a number of internal funding proposals for Leadership Board’s approval.

The report was agreed without further comment. 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the recommendations as outlined in the report. 

Claire Holloway (Head of Corporate Services) introduced the report which updated on progress with the refurbishment projects for Local Government House (LGH) and Layden House and sought agreement on the recommendations made by LGA (Properties) Ltd Board and LGMB. 

There followed a confidential discussion. 

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the recommendations of the LGA (Properties) Ltd Board and LGMB as outlined in the report.