Minutes:
The Chairman introduced Dame Louise Case DBE CB who addressed the Executive on her review into opportunity and integration which had been published in December 2016.
Dame Louise highlighted a number of areas of her review which had particular relevance and importance to local government, in particular around population make up, immigration and integration, and socio-economic exclusion. She highlighted particular examples from various parts of the country where there had been difficulties in integration and community cohesion, and how these had been addressed by local government and partner organisations. She then invited Members’ questions.
In the discussion which followed Members and Dame Louise raised the following points:
· Some areas had seen a disproportionate increase in some population groups at the same time as a reduction in public spending which had impacted on integration and community cohesion. There should be more funding for classes in English language classes, integration, and women’s empowerment. Dame Louise took the view that additional funding alone would not solve the problem, and the Government would publish an integration strategy to consider all options.
· In response to a question on school admission policies, Dame Louise highlighted that education policy and local government policy should not be formed separately by the Department for Education and the Department for Communities and Local Government as they should be considered together. The LGA had been robust in lobbying the government on the children’s agenda, and there was a debate to be had on school standards. It was Dame Louise’s view that the local authority should run services in local communities, and it was hoped that the report could aid lobbying on this issue.
· The report had no specific recommendations on how local authorities could take more of a leadership role to improve integration and community cohesion, but the work the LGA was doing through sector-led improvement would be vital in improving services. Although ‘British values’ was a nebulous concept, there should be a focus on law and justice with no exceptions, particularly for community leaders and councillors where things had gone wrong.
· The Executive agreed that there was a gap in the LGA’s sector-led improvement offer around integration, community cohesion and leadership, and it was suggested that a small group of Members look at the issue and make recommendations. The LGA should make an offer to the Government to lead on these areas of work, and there was a good opportunity if councils were given appropriate and sustainable resources and power, in conjunction with partners such as Police and Crime Commissioners. It was suggested that the Chair of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board and a small group of other Members consider the issues and report back to the Executive in due course.
Decisions
The LGA Executive:
a) Noted the publication of the Casey Review and the report by the APPG on Social Integration; and
b) Agreed that the Chair of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board and a working group of Members consider the issues for local government arising from the Review and look to make recommendations to improve the LGA’s sector-led improvement offer on leadership on integration and community cohesion.
Action
LGA officers to facilitate consideration of the issue and bring recommendations back to the Executive in due course.