Agenda item

Claire Holloway from the Local Government Association will be in attendance for this item and will be making a presentation to the Leader. 

A copy of the report that went to the Leader’s meeting in March 2010 is attached for information.

It was AGREED that

(a)               both the Council and the Local Government Association (LGA) should endeavour to liaise more closely in the future, particularly on significant issues affecting the Council, and

(b)               a decision on whether to remain a member of the LGA should be taken before 28 February 2011.

Claire Holloway, Corporate Programme Director from the Local Government Association (LGA) was in attendance to address the meeting following the decision made at the previous meeting to give one year’s notice of the Council’s intention to leave the LGA by April 2011.

Claire passed on an apology for absence from Daniel Mason also from the LGA who was unwell.

The Leader introduced the item by reiterating that in his view:

·         the LGA had a reputation for acting as a `rubber stamp’ for central government policies, which were unpopular with many local authorities

·         the subscription did not represent good value for money

·         the LGA did not assist when the Council was capped nor when the level of housing debt to be incurred by the Council was recently announced

·         as one of the smaller authorities, it was felt there was very little in common with other larger authorities who had more influence at Whitehall

·         conference fees, particularly for residential events were expensive

In response, Claire Holloway handed out literature on the benefits of LGA membership and gave the following additional information:

·         the LGA needed to demonstrate how they could be more helpful in the future in order to build up a relationship that would benefit both parties

·         a review of the LGA had recently been undertaken; the outcome had been that more contact with local authorities (LAs) was needed

·         it had been recognised that the LGA had focussed more on Whitehall issues, however, it was felt that recently, there had been more contact with LAs

·         the LGA was preparing to work with the newly elected government and the challenge would that in order to lobby effectively, it was felt the association should be central to Whitehall, whilst maintaining close contact with LAs

·         a District Councils Network had been launched last October

·         in response to the level of housing debt, an undertaking was given that Martin Wheatley, who leads on housing and environment policy would make arrangements to meet Members and Officers to discuss their concerns

·         as a representative body, the LGA listened to the concerns of LAs and maintained a high profile with central government

·         there were 422 member councils subscribing to the LGA, with 10 councils, including SCDC, on notice to leave

·         confirmation was given that LACORS was centrally funded and therefore all LAs had access to its advice

·         the annual membership fee had been reduced from the previous year and it was intended that either a further reduction would be introduced in the future or that the existing fee would be capped

·         members of the LGA received a reduction of 20-30% on conference fees. Additional free events were being planned for the future, together with video conferencing. Papers from conferences were available on the LGA website

·         quarterly `staying in touch’ meetings would be arranged with Daniel Mason and South Cambs Members

·         meeting facilities at Local Government House, Smith Square, London were offered to Members when required

In conclusion, the Leader thanked Claire for attending the meeting and made an assurance that a decision would be made before February 2011 on whether or not the Council would retain membership of the LGA.

It was AGREED that

(a)               both the Council and the Local Government Association (LGA) should endeavour to liaise more closely in the future, particularly on significant issues affecting the Council, and

(b)               a decision on whether to remain a member of the LGA should be taken before 28 February 2011.