Agenda item

(i)              That the Council’s intention to seek immediate withdrawal from the Local Government Association, including all committees, events, activities and information-sharing arrangements, be noted.

(ii)             That the terms and conditions of LGA membership be noted, and that the Service Director for Finance and the Service Director, Legal & Governance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Portfolio Holder for Legal, Governance & Operational Performance, be authorised to engage with the LGA to secure immediate withdrawal.

(iii)           That engagement with other authorities to understand the Council’s position outside the LGA be noted.

(iv)           That the Council’s withdrawal from LGA-associated bodies, including the Local Councils Network and LG Inform, be noted.

(v)             That, should the LGA’s purpose and structure change significantly to address the concerns raised by members in the motion to full Council, Cabinet will give due consideration to membership in future years.

The Chief Executive introduced a report  advising Cabinet of the next steps in withdrawing from the Local Government Association (LGA) following the resolution passed at Full Council on 8 July, 2026.

The management of withdrawal across key areas was outlined in the report at paragraph 3.1.

Officers had engaged with stakeholders to understand what the LGA did/did not do and had also engaged with the LGA directly, West Midlands Employers (WME) and other councils operating outside of LGA membership.

The report concluded that many essential functions and sources of support did remain available through other routes.

The Leader referred to a document that the Service Director for Legal & Governance /Monitoring  Officer had obtained following engagement with the LGA regarding the terms of any deals that were struck and asked the Service Director for an update. The Service Director advised that a letter had been received today from the legal advisor to the LGA.   The Articles of Association stated that local authorities must give one year’s notice to expire on 31 March the following year and therefore any notice given by this Council would not expire until 31 March, 2028.

The Leader stated that this Council had given almost 12 months notice since his intention had been made public and reaffirmed at Full Council on 8 July – which was 9-10 months notice.  The Leader stated that no payment would be made to the LGA on 1 April, 2027 onwards.

Since 2012/13 the LGA had received £627.63m from council subscriptions or government grants which could have been put to better use. 

A recent LGA survey had shown that 51% of members believed that the LGA demonstrated value for money.

The Service Director for Legal and Governance/Monitoring Officer advised that she could advise further on the terms when required.

The Chief Executive, referring to the first recommendation,  stated that it could be amended to ‘seeking to withdraw immediate participation’ whilst the points raised by the Monitoring Officer were worked through.  It could be put on record that the Council was not participating and discussions would continue around the withdrawal as noted.

The Leader stated that he was content for the recommendation to remain as written in the report.

The Monitoring Officer noted that previous reports of a rooftop bar within the LGA headquarters had been challenged. The Leader noted that he had been clear in reference to a rooftop terrace during debate at both full Council and Cabinet meetings.

Resolved:    (i)       That the Council’s intention to seek immediate withdrawal

from the Local Government Association, including all committees, events, activities and information-sharing arrangements, be noted.

(ii)             That the terms and conditions of LGA membership be noted, and that the Service Director for Finance and the Service Director, Legal & Governance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Portfolio Holder for Legal, Governance & Operational Performance, be authorised to engage with the LGA to secure immediate withdrawal.

(iii)           That engagement with other authorities to understand the Council’s position outside the LGA be noted.

(iv)           That the Council’s withdrawal from LGA-associated bodies, including the Local Councils Network and LG Inform, be noted.

(v)             That should the LGA’s purpose and structure change significantly to address the concerns raised by members in the motion to full Council, Cabinet will give due consideration to membership in future years.

Watch the debate here