Agenda item

Meeting with Secretary of State Greg Clark MP - 13 January 2016

Board members agreed that the note summarised the meeting accurately.

Members raised the following points regarding the meeting:

·         Although it was difficult to get to a meeting when only 48 hours’ notice was given, it was acknowledged that the Communities Secretary had been under substantial pressure and that it was important he continued to receive support from urban areas.

·         Problems around the definition of reserves was raised, as sometimes councils were unable to draw on money that was considered a reserve. Money that belonged to schools, for example, was already set aside and the Housing Revenue Account was not available to use for the general fund, but showed as a reserve until it was spent. It was requested that work should be undertaken to make a more realistic point on this.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the LGA, advised the meeting that although there could be changes to the draft settlement, they would be marginal. The Communities Secretary had found it useful to meet with councillors to talk about the settlement. Mark advised the board that the settlement had included a postponement option and a redistribution option. As the latter could bring more money into the formula if the better care fund was introduced earlier, it was important that the Communities Secretary should hear councillors’ voices on this.  

Members were advised that the Communities Secretary was expected to publish around the 8^th February (about the time of the parliamentary break).

Decisions:

The City Regions Board:

1.    Noted the minutes and agreed they were an accurate summary of the meeting.