Agenda item

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

 

1.1       To update Members on the NILGA Forward Work Plan for the period 2018-2019

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       The Committee is requested to:

 

·        note the contents of the NILGA Forward Work Plan for the period 2018-2019; and

·        note the annual subscription fee of £71,467,which represents a 0% increase on previous year, which has already been included in 2018/2019 budget.

 

3.0       Main Report

 

3.1       The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) is the representative body for the new 11 councils. It seeks to promote, develop and champion the best interests of local government by developing regional positions and approaches to key issues affecting the sector, including elected Member development, collective lobbying and policy development and hosting good practice events including the annual local government awards. The Association also seeks to represent NI Local Government’s interests on regional bodies such as the Partnership Panel with the NI Assembly, within the Local Government Group of Associations in the UK (with over 550 councils as members) and in Europe.

 

3.2       NILGA members are drawn from the 11 councils with ten elected Members representing Belfast City Council on the Association.

 

            Forward Work Plan 2018-2019

 

3.3       The Council has received a copy of the proposed Forward Work Plan for the period 2018-2019, a copy of which is attached. A summary of the areas of focus over the coming months is set out below for Members information.

 

 

 

3.4      

1.     Legislative, powers, investment & transfers of functions e.g.

 

-       Establishment of an All Party Parliamentary Group on Local Government’s Development and Sustainability moving into new electoral period.  

-       Advocate for an Entrepreneurship Strategy

-       Policy and research support and evidence on key local government priorities e.g. devolution, PfG and NI Budget, Brexit etc

-       Bring forward a new Burdens Framework which seeks to indemnify councils for any future transfer of functions

 

2.     Regional communications activities and support e.g.

 

-       Scheduling monthly showcase events open to councils

-       Publication of bulletins, press and media releases and other communication materials

 

3.     Statutory representation and co-ordination e.g.

 

-       Representation on a range of local government related bodies and forums   

-       Joint Secretariat support to the Partnership Panel (if Assembly reinstated)

-       Help co-ordinate LG input into the Employer’s side of National Joint Council

 

4.     Regional and Sub-Regional awareness and networking e.g.

 

-       Co-ordinate 24 learning and networking events on key priority and policy related issues for LG

-       NILGA Annual Conference and Local Government Awards

-       National Events e.g. RHS Britain in Bloom 2018 UK Awards Ceremony for NI – to be hosted in Belfast in Oct 18

 

5.     Elected Member Development including Charter / Charter Plus e.g.

 

-       Help councils retain National Charter / National Charter Plus awards

-       In partnership with LGTG and National Association of Cllrs, deliver a Regional Member Development Programme

-       In partnership with 11 councils, LGTG and SOLACE – develop an Elected Members Induction Programme

 

6.     National and regional policy, lobbying, guidance, publications e.g.

 

-       Provision of policy analysis, best practice examples and guidance

-       Support a number of strategic working groups to consider key policy priorities/challenges for local government

-       Continue the ‘Making Planning Work’ series which produces user friendly guidance around planning and revisions to Cllr Code of Conduct.

 

7.     International & European policy, investment and representation e.g.

 

-       Collaborate with other LGAs to lobby DEXEU to ensure councils are properly resourced for Brexit preparations; and have a full understanding of potential implications and opportunities

-       Lobby for appropriate consultation mechanism for NI councils around EU Withdrawal Bill

-       Coordinate a strategic group of senior economic development officers and liaise with partner organisations to help influence future legislation, strategy and funding frameworks

-       Continue to seek support for NI councils to be showcased through hosting a 52 nation Commonwealth Local Government Forum 2019 International Conference.

-       Work with councils to secure investment opportunities stemming from the EU Committee of the Regions, in particular through NILGA participation in the IEER Boost (entrepreneurship) project

 

8.     Strategic, regional working groups e.g.

 

-       Number of working groups established to consider key policy areas for local government. Involvement of councils, SOLACE and relevant central government departments.

 

9.     NI Councils future sustainability – research and development e.g.

 

-       R&D in the areas of Devolution, EU Withdrawal Bill, The Circular Economy, Waste Management, New Financial and Rating Models, Entrepreneurial Strategy, Coastal Erosion, Winter Maintenance Protocols, developing a Programme for Local Government, Strengthening Participative Local Democracy, Place Shaping, Commissioning and Performance Management.

 

10.  Corporate Planning and Performance Management e.g.

 

-       Continuation of Internal corporate planning, governance, audit, performance management and reporting processes.

-       Consult on new NILGA Corporate Plan for the period June 2019 – May 2023 (covering the new Council Electoral Term)

 

3.5       Annual Subscription

 

            Members will note that the annual NILGA subscription for the 2018/19 period is £71,467 which represents a 0% increase on the 2017/18 subscription fee. This has included in the 2018/19 budget.”

 

            It was

 

Moved by Councillor Reynolds,

Seconded by Alderman Spence,

 

      That the Committee agrees not to pay the annual subscription fee of £71,467 to renew its membership of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA).

 

            On a vote by show of hands five Members voted for the proposal and eleven against and it was declared lost.

 

            Accordingly, the Committee noted the contents of the NILGA forward Work Plan for the period 2018-2019 and approved the payment of the annual subscription fee of £71,467.