Agenda and minutes

No declarations were made.

Cllr Claire Kober (Resources Board Chair) introduced the report which summarised the announcements in the Chanellor’s Autumn Statement with implications for local government. In doing so, she highlighted the key issues outlined within the LGA’s on the day briefing and provided an update on a number of developments since the announcement on 3 December.

In the discussion that followed, Members asked for further details on the announcement that Government would seek to legislate to exempt Members’ travel expenses from income tax and National Insurance.  Serious concerns were expressed that the issue of deprivation of liberty was not included in the Autumn Statement and it was noted that the LGA would be pursuing this issue directly with Government.

Decision                                            

The Executive noted the update.

Action

Circulate an explanatory note on Government plans to exempt Members’ travel expenses from income tax and National Insurance.  Nicola Morton (Head of Local Government Finance).

Decision

The Executive agreed the minutes of the previous Executive meeting held on 23 October 2014.  

The press and public were excluded for the consideration of the remaining confidential items.

Paul Raynes (Head of Programmes, Environment, Localism and Welfare) introduced the item which outlined progress in the Bond Agency Project and asked for Executive’s approval to move into the launch phase of the Agency as recommended by the Bonds Agency Project Board. 

The Chair noted that Paul Rayne would be leaving the LGA in the New Year.  On behalf of the Executive, he expressed thanks to Paul for his contribution to the LGA during his eight years of service and wished him well for the future.

Members endorsed the report’s recommendations without further comment.

Decisions

The Executive:

       i.          noted that the mobilisation phase objectives had been met to the satisfaction of the Project Board;

      ii.          authorise moving the Municipal Bond Agency into its launch phase as recommended by the Project Board;

     iii.          instructed officers to report the final total for the Agency’s equity raise, the LGA’s consequent shareholding  percentage, and any action recommended by the company’s directors as a consequence, to the March Leadership Board; and

    iv.          delegated the decision to confirm the Agency Board appointments to the LGA Chair and Group Leaders. 

Papers for this devolution themed workshop will follow on a supplemental agenda.