Agenda and minutes

The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming the newly appointed Deputy-Chairs of the Association to the Executive.  

No declarations of interest were made.   

Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) introduced the report which updated on a number of changes to the £1 billion pay for performance component of the Better Care Fund (BCF) and on the timescale for revised Health and Wellbeing Plans to be signed off.  In doing so, she highlighted that the LGA had robustly opposed the revisions to the BCF and she encouraged all Health and Wellbeing Boards to put on record the potential detrimental impact the changes would have on Adult Social Care (ASC) services. 

Members were united in their opposition to the changes to the BCF and emphasised the need to maintain pressure on Government so that the original shared ambition for health and social care integration is not undermined by further changes. Specific concerns included: the ability of local authorities to adequately fund ASC; the admissions criteria and the length of time it would take to evidence reductions in admissions; the short timeframe for HWBs to agree revised BCF Plans; and the balance between maximising the opportunities presented by integration and the risks it presented.  Members also discussed the situation regarding integration and funding of health and ASC in Wales.

Decisions

The LGA Executive:

       i.          noted the update on the Better Care Fund; and

      ii.          asked that their views inform the continuing dialogue on the Better Care Fund between the LGA and the Department for Health.

Michael Lockwood (Interim Director of Local Government Finance and Policy) introduced the report which updated Members on the progress made thus far in securing investment in the Municipal Bonds Project from a diverse range of 35 councils.  Based on this success, Executive’s agreement was sought to proceed with the project and to commit the LGA’s full investment. 

In the discussion that followed, the Executive confirmed their support for proceeding with the project as set out. Cllr David Phillips asked for support from officers in exploring the possibility of Welsh involvement in the project. 

Decisions

The LGA Executive:

       i.          agreed that the Municipal Bonds Agency project should continue into full mobilisation; and

      ii.          approved the full commitment of the LGA’s intended investment; including a budgeted £100,000 of initial start-up costs, taking the LGA’s total equity stake in the Agency to £500,000.

The Chair briefly introduced the report which set out the principle achievements from the 11 Boards over the past 12 months, as well some key issues going forward.

Cllr McMahon (Workforce Board Chair) drew particular attention to the recent national strike action and the potential for future localised and targeting action.  Cllr Fleming (Improvement and Innovation Board Chairman) expressed his gratitude to those councils that had taken part in the Innovation Zone at the 2014 LGA Annual Conference.

Decision

The Executive noted the achievements of the Boards in the 2013/14 meeting year.

Decision

The Executive noted the minutes of the Leadership Board held on Wednesday 16 July.

The press and public were excluded for the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the following confidential items.  

Decision

The Executive agreed the minutes of the previous Executive meeting held on 12 June.