Agenda item

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive, introduced the report which set out the LGA’s main achievements against the Business Plan since the last meeting in June 2018. He drew particular attention to the Exiting the EU Delivery Board which had been announced by the Secretary of State at the LGA Conference in Birmingham, the MHCLG Select Committee report into building safety which had taken the view that the Dame Hackett report should have gone further to ban combustible materials, and the ministerial changes following the latest Cabinet reshuffle. It was also noted that Mencap had won their legal challenge around sleep-in minimum wage payments, which had been supported by the LGA. The Chief Executive also thanked members for their support at the LGA’s Annual Conference. A great deal of positive feedback had already been received, but Members were encouraged to suggest ways the event could be improved in future.

Members noted that the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive had met earlier in the day with the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP. His early priorities in the role were the health and social care workforce, use of technology in health and care, prevention, and social care.

Regarding the LGA’s Adult Social Care Green Paper, Sally Burlington, Head of Policy, highlighted that the first draft had been completed, with initial steers already provided by CWB Lead Members and Group Leaders. This paper aims to influence the Government’s Green Paper, the forthcoming Budget, NHS plan, and the Spending Review. The LGA wants to make a positive case for social care and the role of local government. The Green Paper would also aid what the Government was already doing in debating the issues with key stakeholders, and setting out the main options for change. There would be consultation questions on how you pay for what needs to change, and the consultation would include questions on the acceptability of various options.

The Green Paper would be published by the end of July, following which there would be a 8-10 week consultation process, and then a final report. There would be various facilitation methods for the consultation, including influencing discussions at the party conferences in the autumn.

In the discussion which followed Members raised the following points:

·         Feedback which had already been received on the LGA’s Adult Social Care Green Paper had been very positive, particularly from supporting organisations like ADASS and other partners like the Kings Fund. The Green Paper was the sector’s chance to set out what they wanted, and consideration should be given to the media plan for publication and engagement at the party conferences. Members thanked the officers who had completed the draft Green Paper for their time and effort so far.

·         There should be examples in the Green Paper regarding how local government was making changes and reforms itself to add value, and not just asking for more money. As with all LGA work the Green Paper should have cross party consensus, and would be an opportunity to engage more with opposition groups in councils who could be briefed on the work. Members noted that the engagement process would be piloted, and Members would be updated on progress in due course.

·         Regarding the Annual Conference, Members’ feedback was that it was very successful. It was suggested that more Members who had never been to a conference could be encouraged to attend in future years, as well as holding an event for Members who had not attended to explain how to make the most of the event.

Decision

The LGA Leadership Board noted the Chief Executive’s report for July 2018.