Agenda item

The Chair invited Nicola Morton, Head of Local Government Finance to present the report which provides a summary of the work by the LGA on funding and finance issues since the last Board meeting.

Since the circulation of the paper the Government published a consultation on business rates avoidance and evasion. There was also a consultation on proposals to exempt categories of dwellings from the council tax premiums, both of which would have a response from the LGA.

The Chair invited Jo Donnelly, Head of Pensions, to give an update on pensions. It was announced that the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill was now at the committee stage, having been introduced in mid-June. A technical briefing had been provided ahead of the second reading. Members’ attention was also drawn to the recently released DLUHC consultation, setting out next steps on investments in the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Members made the following comments:

• There was a request for information on the funding gap analysis to be circulated with Board members.
• Avoidance and evasion of business rates are different things.

Action:

Officers to circulate information on the LGA’s funding gap analysis

Members to send examples of business rates avoidance and evasion to LGA officers.

Decision:

Members noted the report.