Minutes:
The Chairman invited selected Board Chair’s to present their written reports and to answer questions in the first instance:
a. City Regions Board - Cllr Sir Richard Leese CBE
In his update, Cllr Sir Richard Leese (Chair, City Regions Board) noted the following points:
- Flooding has been a major challenge in previous 24 hrs. Several hundred staff have been involved in the emergency response.
- A Vision for Urban Growth & Recovery was a major area of work in planning for post-COVID recovery. Long term planning models recovery over a 3-5 year period.
- Noted that he was sitting on an MHCLG Task Force on Urban Centre Recovery.
- Employment & Skills recovery was another focus. Welcomed the work done by the Government on Kickstart and Restart programmes. A key question moving forward was how they would link in with DfE programmes and the work of local government.
b. Culture, Tourism and Sport Board - Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE
In his update Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson (Chair, Culture, Tourism & Sport Board) noted the following points:
- Delivering additional funding for cultural and sport sectors had been a top priority. Noted that DCMS has been well engaged and responsive on such issues.
- Raised concerns on the level of understanding within DCMS on the role of local authorities in sport.
- Expressed concern that the Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture & Sport) had not been responding to correspondence.
c. Improvement and Innovation Board - Cllr Peter Fleming
In his update Cllr Peter Fleming (Chairman, Improvement & Innovation Board) noted the following points:
- Outlined the shift in focus from LGA Improvement & Innovation staff to providing specific COVID support to local authorities. Welcomed the work of LGA staff.
- Bespoke Recovery & Renewal Plans and remote Peer Support offers have been put in place with Councils.
- Climate change was highlighted as an area of increasing focus, with efforts underway to bring together work taking place across the LGA.
The following comments were made by members:
- A question was raised on commending the industry approval of Sector Led Improvement to Government given their apparent poor perception of it. Peter explained that SLI and Peer work has been independently assessed with high levels of sector satisfaction. Political groups were encouraged the commend the role of SLI in providing improvement in the services of local government over the previous decade to Government.
d. Resources Board - Councillor Richard Watts
In his update Cllr Richard Watts (Chair, Resources Board) noted the following points:
- Highlighted the work done around financial support for low income households, especially efforts to improve the self-isolation payment system.
- The next round of workforce pay negotiations were expected to start in late January 2021.
- The announcement of a one-year settlement was not in line with the LGA’s submission calling for a multi-year deal. Felt that individual authorities’ views on the deal would be closely linked to the size of their Council Tax base. Noted that the Core Spending Power (CSP) method for calculations was imperfect for measuring the challenges facing local government.
- Welcomed the additional £1.5Bn COVID related financial support announced.
- Noted that careful monitoring is required on the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates receipts moving forward.
The following comments were made by members:
- Members made several comments on Adult Social Care funding and Council Tax. It was suggested that the 3% ASC Council Tax Precept is not sufficient to meet funding needs particularly in smaller authorities or areas where the majority properties sit in lower bands. Richard suggested that moving forward Social Care has to be the core principle in funding considerations.
- A recommendation was put forward for the LGA to lobby on the replacement of Core Spending Power calculations given their growing incompatibility with Council needs. Richard explained that CSP was never the LGA’s preferred model and that he did not feel it was an effective way of measuring financial power.
- It was suggested that the Government have not met promises made on COVID related funding with many authorities facing significant shortfalls. Richard responded by noting that the £1.5Bn recently announced would roll into the next financial year. Also added that short term funding agreements do not allow for effective recovery plans put in place.
e. Safer and Stronger Communities Board - Cllr Nesil Caliskan
In her update Cllr Nesil Caliskan (Chair, Safer & Stronger Communities Board) noted the following points:
- The Board had overseen work on response to consultation on Serious Violence Reduction Orders.
- Domestic Abuse Bill was expected to pass through parliament in coming months. Discussions were underway been on the statutory obligations to be placed on local authorities and the necessary funding to ensure full delivery.
- Noted communications with Baroness Williams (Lords Minister) regarding Counter Extremism and funding for the dedicated APPG.
- Lobbying work has continued on building safety and cladding issues.