Agenda item

The Chair briefly introduced the report which outlined some suggested priorities for the work programme of the LGA’s Local Government Finance and Welfare Reform teams, including a list of activities proposed to be scaled back due to staffing reductions. 

In the discussion that followed, a number of comments were made, including:

·        Whilst Members agreed the overarching priorities and areas where resource would be scaled back, there was a general feeling that a more holistic and thematic approach would be advantageous.  Members suggested that the policy team focus on a smaller number of key cross cutting themes - such as health and social care integration - that would encompass a range of more granular issues within them.  These key themes would then underpin the LGA’s local government finance work such as submissions to Government on the Budget and Comprehensive Spending Reviews.

·        In taking this work forward, Members emphasised the importance of cross-Board working, as well as collaboration with partners and stakeholders such as the voluntary community sector (VCS).

·        Members discussed taking a more strategic approach to the adult social care funding priority (paragraph 6.2), with suggestions including the development of a range of different financial and operating models and scenarios. 

·        In discussing the opportunity to influence the Government’s review of business rates, a Member emphasised the imperative that meaningful incentivisation of growth be at the centre of the reform agenda.

Decisions

The Resources Board:

       i.          approved the suggested work programme priorities of the Local Government Finance and Welfare Reforms teams - including the list of activities proposed to be scaled back – subject to a more overarching and thematic approach to prioritisation going forward; and

      ii.          supported the strategy for dealing with unexpected pressures outside of this framework.