Agenda and minutes

The LGA Executive noted the apologies listed at Appendix A.

No declarations of interest were made.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, introduced the report which set out the progress by health and care system to implement Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs). The report set out the implications for local government and the emerging challenges and opportunities of increased joint working between local government and the NHS.

Cllr Seccombe highlighted that the Executive had previously given a strong steer on this issue, and the LGA has written to Ministers and local government leaders on the issue. Subsequently there had been greater engagement nationally, and it was important for there to continue to be a consistently high level of engagement. Members noted that Cllr Seccombe had met with Professor Sir Malcolm Grant, Chair of NHS England, and identified areas in which local government needed more support from the NHS. The LGA would continue to work with Councils and Health and Wellbeing Boards on STPs, communications, and the viability of funding.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive, explained that NHS England had now published guidance on public engagement and consultation on STPs. It was essential that STPs had an ongoing dialogue with local politicians and this was a useful step forward.

In the discussion which followed Members raised the following points:

·         There was a lack of political understanding from the NHS in some areas, and the process so far was seen to be ‘top down’ with unrealistic timetables. Councils should resist changes where appropriate and work with the NHS to ensure that STPs were structured in such a flexible way.

·         Discussions with councils were process based, not about the content of the STPs. Due to the consultation process some councils would not see the content of the plans until it was too late to influence them.

·         Some areas reported better, more collaborative joint working with the NHS, but there was still work to do. Implementing the plans was essential, but it was important that they were correct and jointly implemented.

·         The LGA should make the case that they could provide health services locally, not centrally, if the NHS was unable to do so. Greater health devolution to councils would be welcomed, and councils could deliver change in an efficient way which represented local people.

·         Members agreed that LGA should continue to make representations to the NHS on STPs, and continue to argue that local government should lead the communications agenda and dialogue with residents.

Decision

The LGA Executive:

      i.        Noted the actions taken so far by the LGA in representing the views of councils in relation to STPs and integration developments; and

     ii.        Noted the key priorities which underpinned joint working with the NHS and others on the future of integration and STPs.  

Draft responses to the consultations will follow on a supplemental agenda.

Cllr Claire Kober, Chair of the LGA’s Resources Board, 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’.  Cllr Kober provided a high level overview of the two responses and invited Members to comment on and agree the LGA’s draft responses.  These had been considered the previous day by the LGA’s Leadership Board, and Members’ attention was drawn to the minute of that item.  

In the discussion which followed the following points were raised:

·         Although it was not one of the areas put forward by DCLG, the consultation on BRR provided an opportunity to change the schools funding formula.

·         Needs and fairness would differ in various areas across the country, and whilst it would not be easy to agree a way of distributing revenue the LGA should seek as much consensus as possible. It was hoped that there would be a joint agreement by the District Councils Network and the County Councils Network.

·         It would be useful for DCLG to provide a timetable for BRR so that the LGA could ensure that a needs assessment and other relevant evidence is gathered. The LGA would have to test principles and see what was viable.

·         It was commented that the previous Secretary of State said that if the LGA could present a consensus view on BRR he would accept it, so it would be useful to see if the new Secretary of State was in agreement.

·         It was highlighted that the Leadership Board had not made any fundamental changes to the consultation documents, and the revised documents would be circulated to Members early the following week.

·         In the future the RSG funding for councils would be replaced by business rates, council tax and locally sourced income. Financial pressures on councils should be itemised to ensure sustainability of core services. This would require refinement, and would link to the LGA’s Autumn Statement submission.

·         Business rates appeals were subject to a lot of discussion, and the LGA would focus on how councils could manage risk and provision in terms of successful appeals.

Decision

The LGA Executive agreed the LGA’s draft responses to DCLG’s consultation document and call for evidence.

Action

Revised consultation responses, following comments from the Leadership Board and LGA Executive, to be circulated to Members the following week.

The LGA Chairman moved the report which included the LGA Executive Membership, Terms of Reference and list of appointments to governance structures for 2016/17. The report was agreed without comment.

Decision

The LGA Executive noted:

      i.        Its Membership for 2016/17;

     ii.        Its Terms of Reference; and

    iii.        The appointments to the LGA’s governance structures for 2016/17.

The note of the Leadership Board held on 14 September 2016 will be tabled at the meeting.

Decision

The LGA Executive noted the minutes of the Leadership Board held on 14 September 2016.

Decision

The LGA Executive agreed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 July 2016.

Decision

The LGA Executive noted the dates of Councillors’ Forum and Executive meetings for 2016/17.

Sarah Pickup, Deputy Chief Executive, introduced the report and highlighted that the government had announced that the Autumn Statement would be delivered on 23 November 2016. The Leadership Board had delegated authority to the political group leaders to approve the LGA’s final submission, but comments would be sought from the policy Boards prior to this.

Members noted that particular areas of focus would include the growth in demand for social care, the need to ensure the Business Rates reform addressed this pressure, the need to revitalise rapid council house building, the need to guarantee the full £5.3bn in EU structural investment funding for councils up to 2020 following the EU referendum, and the need for further momentum on devolution to provide a platform for place-based leadership and driving sub-national growth.

There followed a confidential discussion in which Members commented on the content of the LGA’s submission to government in advance of the Autumn Statement and highlighted particular priority issues.

Decision

The LGA Executive commented on the tone and approach of the LGA’s submission to government in advance of the Autumn Statement, and agreed the particular priority issues for inclusion.