Agenda item

Philip Clifford, Senior Adviser, introduced the item. He advised members that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government had been invited to a board meeting to discuss devolution deals (particularly in non-metropolitan areas). He gave an overview of press and public affairs work to highlight the case for devolution to non-metropolitan areas in advance of the Autumn Statement, and recent support activity including work to increase community engagement in the process of devolution.

The following points were made:

·         Members requested that emphasis was placed on ‘missed opportunities’ in LGA work. A discussion followed on the different perspectives of central government and local areas to the mayoral model.

·         A discussion took place on business rates retention. Members agreed it would be useful to have a further debate on this and asked for an update at the next board meeting.

·         The role of England in issues such as Brexit and devolution (in comparison to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) was discussed. It was agreed that lead members would relate to this point to their political group offices.

Decision:

1.    The board agreed to a press and public affairs campaign in advance of the Autumn Statement highlighting the case for devolution to non-metropolitan areas and missed opportunities.

Actions:

1.    The letter to SoS to be followed up.

2.    Lead members to relate concerns about the lack of representation for England in the devolution debate (in comparison to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) to their political group offices.