Minutes:
The Chairman invited the following Board Chair’s to discuss their written reports:
a. Children & Young People Board – Cllr Anntoinette Bramble (Chair)
In the update, Anntoinette noted the following points:
- The most recent Board meeting, members heard from the following speakers:
o Hackney Borough Council on its diverse curriculum and discussing the contribution of black people in British history.
o Dame Rachel De Souza (Children’s Commissioner for England) on the Big Ask survey conducted on school age children in England.
- Noted that a number of sessions had been held at LGA Annual Conference.
- The LGA launched “A whole household approach to young people’s mental health” which provides advice and resources to councillor’s around improving young people’s mental health.
- A joint meeting of LGA lead members from the CYP and CWB Boards was held with Andrea Leadsom MP to discuss the Best Start for Life review.
- Also heard from the Children’s Commissioner and the Big Ask work currently underway.
In the subsequent discussion members raised the following points:
- Concerns were raised at the engagement rates with the National Transfer Scheme. It was felt that other local authorities needed to engage with the programme and take pressure of receiving authorities to provide suitable accommodation for UAS children.
b. Community Wellbeing Board – Cllr David Fothergill (Chairman)
In the update, David noted the following points:
- Noted thanks to Ian Hudspeth as his predecessor as Chair of the Community Wellbeing Board.
- The Board conducted a hybrid meeting on 15/7/21.
- The Board continued to work on the Health & Social Care Bill, with a focus on giving greater local leadership and improving wellbeing nationwide.
- Drew attention to a number of sessions the Board had conducted at LGA Annual Conference, particularly the plenary session with Professor Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Adviser).
- Additional work was ongoing on the Autism Strategy, Suicide Prevention and Drugs Misuse.
In the subsequent discussion members made the following points:
- It was suggested that a discussion be undertaken on the potential impact of the NHS Pay increase being drawn from existing funds and impact on local authority linked services.
c. Environment, Economy, Housing & Transport Board – Cllr David Renard (Chairman)
In the update, David noted the following points:
- The publication of the Planning Bill was expected in Autumn 2021. The MGLCG consultation received some 44,000 submission. Cllr Adele Morris led a session discussing the topic of reform in detail.
- The Board held a special meeting to discuss the Government’s waste management proposals. Responses were submitted to a range of consultation papers.
- Work was taking place across the LGA on the role of local government at COP26. Several session proposals had been submitted for inclusion in the Government controlled zone.
- The Future Foundations campaign and online hub had been launched to highlight positive stories and good practice on council housing. The hub provides content for lobbying and housing campaigns.
- The LGA planned to publish a paper outlining the ambitions and role of local government in delivering further EV charging capacity.
In the subsequent discussion members raised the following points:
- Members questioned whether the role of hydrogen fuel cells in transport had been considered alongside EV charging. David responded that hydrogen had been raised in discussions with the Government and he personally believed it should be higher on the agenda. He also noted there were some concerns with industry capacity and investment.
- It was also suggested that more consideration should be given to the use of Geothermal energy production.
d. People & Places Board – Cllr Morris Bright (Vice-Chairman)
In the update, Morris noted the following points:
- Devolution had been a recent priority with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government stating devolution is a priority moving forward. The LGA supported APPG on Devolution published a paper on Levelling Up Devo.
- Research had been commissioned into the strengthening recovery and renewal in coastal areas.
- The LGA was due to publish research on strengthening the COVID recovery and resilience in rural areas in July 2021.
- Lobbying continued on the Government’s Adult Education Budget funding rule change and the impact on councils’ adult and community learning provision.
- 30 bids were submitted for Freeport status. The LGA was lobbying Government on proposals to ensure areas with unsuccessful bids were not left behind economically relative to successful bidders.
Decision
The members of the Councillor’s Forum noted the written reports and verbal updates.