Agenda and minutes

The LGA Chairman, Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson & Mayor Sir Steve Bullock declared an interest in item 15 as Directors of the IDeA Company Board and potential local government pension recipients.  Cllr Peter Reeve declared an interest in the discussion on ‘Homelessness Prevention Bill’ as a commercial landlord.   

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·         Cllr Marianne Overton MBE

·         Baroness Couttie of Downe

·         Cllr Anne Western CBE

·         Cllr Sue Murphy CBE

·         Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE

Sarah Pickup (Deputy Chief Executive) briefly introduced the report which updated on the LGA’s work on the business rates retention reform, including joint work with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the LGA’s own policy work.

The report was noted without further comment.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the update.

Mark Lloyd (Chief Executive) introduced the draft LGA Business Plan which had been updated to reflect the latest priorities and agreed Board work plans for 2016/17.  In doing so, he summarised the comments of the Chairman and Political Group Leaders who had considered the draft Plan earlier in the day.  Members were invited to comment on the draft Business Plan, as well as Group Leaders’ proposed changes. 

In the following discussion, Members highlighted a number of areas for greater emphasis and/or clarity, including: links with combined authorities; blue light services and collaboration; health and joint working on Strategic Transformation Plans (STPs) within the context of devolution; delivering affordable housing, both in terms of renting & home ownership; supporting local authorities to develop their own models of governance based on local place; and acknowledging the multiple drivers to delivering greater local accountability.

With reference to clarity of message, Members highlighted the importance of a prominent focus and LGA campaigns on the major priorities for local government such as: financial sustainability; health and adult social care; housing; and education.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed that their comments inform the next iteration of the 2016/17 LGA Business Plan for submission to the LGA Executive on 8 December 2016.

The LGA Chairman moved the application to establish a Special Interest Group (SIG) to better represent the interests of unitary authorities without further comment. 

Members approved the application, however noted the need to consider the implications for the memberships of the People & Places and City Regions Boards.  

Decision

The Leadership Board approved the application to form a Unitary Councils’ Network LGA Special Interest Group.

Mark Lloyd moved the report which set out the LGA’s main achievements against the business plan priorities since the last meeting. 

There followed a number of detailed discussions, including:

·         The LGA Chairman and Eamon Lally (Principal Policy Adviser) provided a verbal update on the LGA’s efforts to influence the content of the Private Member’s Homelessness Reduction Bill.  Members shared their concerns regarding aspects of the Bill, highlighting the interconnected, yet differing geographical nature of the housing crisis and the need for more in-depth evidence base to better understand and demonstrate to Government these challenges.  They stressed the importance of being clear about the financial implications – including capital burdens – for local authorities as a result of the proposed new duties.

·         Cllr David Simmonds (Asylum, Migration & Refugee Task Group Chairman) provided a verbal update on the Refugee Resettlement Programme and implications for those councils involved following recent developments in Calais.  Members’ discussed the associated challenges and highlighted the need for Government to understand Children’s Services responsibilities within two tier areas.

Decision

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

Action

Circulate a briefing on the Homelessness Reduction Bill to Leadership Board member once it is available.  (Eamon Lally)

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

The following items were identified for inclusion in future agendas:

·         The Secretary of State for Health be invited to attend the March 2017 Councillors’ Forum meeting discuss Strategic Transformation Plans.

·         Update on the Government’s ‘Fair Funding Review’ as part of the move towards 100% Business Rates Retention.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed the forward plan with the inclusion of the above items.

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 14 September 2016 subject to terminological amendments to the attendance list.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the minutes of the previous meeting of the Commercial Advisory Board held on 5 September 2016.

Cllr Richard Watts (Children & Young People Board Chair) introduced the report which updated on the Department for Education’s review of the council role in education and children’s services.  In doing so, he sought Leadership Board‘s view on the proposals in paragraphs 9 – 21 to establish the LGA’s position.

There followed a detailed and confidential discussion in which Members’ provided a steer to inform the LGA’s input into the Government’s review. 

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board:

      i.        noted the report; and

     ii.        agreed that their comments inform the LGA’s contribution to the Department for Education’s review of the council role in education and children’s services.

Sarah Pickup introduced the report which sought Leadership Board’s view on setting subscriptions for 2017/18.

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board agreed to maintain subscriptions at current levels for 2017/18.

David Holdstock (Director of Communications) introduced the report which summarised activity and feedback from the 2016 LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition and sought Members’ comments on the direction and content of the 2017 Conference and Exhibition.

There followed a detailed and confidential discussion in which Members’ shared their experiences of the 2016 Conference and Exhibition, as well as made suggestions to inform the development of the 2017 programme.

Decisions

The LGA Leadership Board:

      i.        noted the summary of activity and feedback from the 2016 LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition; and

     ii.        agreed their comments inform the development of the programme for the 2017 LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Sarah Pickup introduced the report which related to member councils - acting collectively – in a potential litigation claim.

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decision

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

Sarah Pickup introduced the report which updated on the IDeA company’s pension fund deficit and action to address this.

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decision

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

Verbal Update

Claire Holloway (Head of Corporate Services) updated on the latest developments with the planned refurbishments of Local Government House & Layden House, with both projects remaining on timescale.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the update. 

Eamon Lally updated on the LGA’s work on Brexit, including the first meeting of the LGA’s Brexit Task Group.

There followed a confidential discussion.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the report and agreed their comments inform the work of the Brexit Task Group.