EMC POLICY BRIEF A weekly round up of local government news in the East Midlands brought to you by East Midlands Councils Top items this week 12 MAY 2017

East Midlands Councils Local Election Results Scrutiny Self-Evaluation EMC Events for Councillors Update Framework - CfPS and Officers Election Results Update Nottinghamshire County Council - New coalition to form majority group - The Conservative Party and Mansfield Independent Forum have entered into a coalition to form the majority group at Nottinghamshire County Council. The Conservatives won 31 of the 66 seats on the Council at last week's election, making them the largest group. The Mansfield Independent Forum won four seats [For more visit here]. Following the changes, the composition of the County Council is: Conservative and Mansfield Independent Forum- 35 seats, Labour - 23 seats, Ashfield Independents– 6 seats, Liberal Democrat - 1 seat, Independent - 1 seat. Councillor Kay Cutts is Leader of the new Conservative and Mansfield Independent Group. The election of a County Council Chairman, Committee Chairs and the membership of committees will be set at the AGM on 25 May. Northamptonshire County Council - Conservative Hold [results here](Conservative 43, Lib Dems 2, Labour 12) Derbyshire County Council - Conservative gain from Labour; Conservatives 37, Labour 24, Lib Dem 3 [results here] The newly elected controlling group at Derbyshire County Council has announced its key appointments ahead of their annual general meeting on 24 May 2017. The new Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism − Councillor Barry Lewis. For more read here. Lincolnshire County Council - Conservative gain from No Overall Control [results here] (Conservatives; 58 of the 70 seats) Leicestershire County Council - Conservative Hold [results here](Conservative 36, Lib Dems 13, Labour 6) West Midlands Mayoral Election Results - Andy Street, Conservative was elected Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority with Cllr Bob Sleigh (Leader, Solihull MBC) announced as Deputy Mayor.

EMC - A Membership Organisation EMC understands it is more important than ever for councils to confirm the value from every part of their expenditure. As an ‘all-member organisation’; EMC routinely offers all councillors in the region opportunities to attend our policy briefing, skills development and training events with 1700 councillors and officer places taken throughout 2016/17. We have continued to offer advice, access to low cost services and capacity support; and all councils in membership accessed at least one of these discounted services, for example, EMC undertook 44 different service-specific assignments for councils in the region and increased the level of savings delivered to almost £860,000 – a return of over 3:1 against total member subscriptions. EMC has continued to sharpen its focus on the issues of greatest importance to local councils; better promoted opportunities for economic growth; and highlighted examples of good, innovative practice through for example:  Worked with the Home Office and councils in the development and delivery of asylum and refugee resettlement programmes, in particular UASC and Syrian refugee programme.  Led work on both the Midlands Connect sub-national transport strategy, the region’s ‘Emerging Hs2 Growth Strategy’, and worked with councils and LEPs in promoting the delivery of the Hs2 Eastern leg.  Supported the Midlands Engine in promoting regional economic growth and productivity. Looking ahead, further work will focus on those issues recently emphasised by Councils. This will include progressing Midlands Connect and Midlands Engine proposals; continuing efforts to secure greater investment into the East Midlands; providing a platform for councillors’ leadership on key issues, including refugee and asylum resettlement; and continuing the comprehensive councillor and officer development programme. In the coming week EMC will write to all local authority members providing a summary of the services your council has received over the past year, as a result of EMC membership.

EMC News EMC Nomination Process- In the coming weeks EMC will be inviting nominations for membership. All local authority member authorities are allocated one place on EMC, which is usually the Leader of the Council unless otherwise specified. In addition to this there are another 46 added places which are allocated based on the political balance of the region. If you wish to become a member of EMC, and if you have an interest in being a member of any of EMC’s boards, please get in contact with your relevant political group leader and Democratic Services teams who will advise further. Details will be sent to local authorities in the coming weeks once the political balance for the East Midlands has been calculated. For more information on EMC Representation and Nomination visit here. EMC Boards Activity East Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership - The next Board meeting will take place on 8 June 2017. EMC Executive Board- The next EMC Executive Board meeting will take place on 28 June 2017. EMC Support Activity Environmental Protection Event for Environmental Health Officers - This week EMC has held the first event in the 2017/18 programme of CPD for Environmental Health Officers. Over 120 people attended from 30 organisations in the East Midlands. Presentations included;  Shale Gas Extraction: Public Health & Public Engagement by Environmental Hazards & Emergencies Department, Public Health England  Tackling community concerns using Anti-Social Behaviour Powers – a local authority experience  Air Quality Emergencies – Managing the Emergency Response For more information visit here, for more information on the programme contact [email protected]. EMC Councillor Events Role of the Civic Head and Team, 24 May 2017 - On 24 May 2017, EMC will hold its annual ‘The Role of the Civic Head and Team’ event for prospective Civic Heads, Mayoress, Consorts or Escorts, their Deputies and all Civic Support Officers. This will be the 9th year that EMC has delivered this well regarded and valued event. The day will include discussion on the role of prospective Civic Heads, Mayoress, Consorts or Escorts, their Deputies and all Civic Support Officers and will identify any concerns and further needs that the delegates may have in carrying out their duties. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet and network with Members and Officers from other authorities in similar prospective roles. The seminar will be very participatory and the facilitation methods used will include direct input, group discussions and syndicate work. For more information visit here. Chairing and Facilitation Skills for Councillors, 05 Jul 2017 - EMC is running a half day Chairing and Facilitation Skills event for Councillors. The training is to be delivered by Nelson Training, an award winning drama based training company. Nelson training use a unique interactive drama approach, using live interactive drama with a touch of comedy combined with individual and group activities. For more information visit here.

Infrastructure, Planning & Housing The LGA housing commission final report - The final report sets out further detail, and sets out some of the LGA’s key asks in advance of the Housing White Paper. The LGA will continue to develop these ideas with the sector, building up the case for policy change where it is needed, and capturing and sharing innovations that will help councils in their efforts to meet housing need. To read the full report visit here.

Employers’ Information CEEP UK News Alert - 5 May 2017 - In this issue [available here];  CEEP Energy Task Force: Final CEEP Draft Opinion on Clean Energy Package  CEEP Water Task Force: Commission Roadmap on Strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment  Invitation to Event on“ Innovation and digitalisation in public services for sustainable cities”  Social Europe e-newsletter : 2 May 2017

Local Government News Ten point plan to boost local services – local government sets out key manifesto asks (LGA) - details available here. Treasure your assets, 2nd edition by the Centre for Pubic Scrutiny - A practical guide for treasury and asset scrutiny to help assess the extent to which a council is using asset management in the most efficient and effective way. The publication covers topics such as: treasury and cashflow management, decision making and responsibilities, and a guide to undertake an asset management review. To access the guide visit here. Scrutiny self-evaluation framework- The scrutiny self-evaluation framework is a tool to help scrutiny officers and members to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their arrangements for overview and scrutiny, and to put in place practical steps for improvement. To access the guide visit here. Councillors' Guide 2017/18 - This LGA online resource is designed as a quick reference guide to provide Councillors with the essential information that you need to know as a councillor. Access the guide from here. The MJ Awards, June 2017 - Finalists of the MJ Achievement Awards 2017 have been announced, the full list of finalists is available here, shortlisted from the East midlands are;  Commercialism in the Property Estate - 6 short listed, including Rushcliffe Borough Council  Excellence in Governance and Scrutiny-6 short listed, including a joint entry Buckinghamshire CC/ Northamptonshire CC/Oxfordshire CC (England's Economic Heartland) Local partnership opportunities with Jobcentre Plus- Partnership opportunities for public and voluntary organisations to help Jobcentre Plus move people off benefits and into employment. For more visit here. Foster Care Fortnight 2017 is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, taking place now from Monday 8 to Sunday 21 May. A number of campaigns are taking place in the East Midlands. Further details are available through The Fostering Network.

EMC Events East Midlands Coaching Conference 2017, 13 June 2017 - The East Midlands Coaching Network are proud to celebrate our 5th Annual Coaching Conference, which will feature a mix of practical workshops and group coaching experiences, exploring a range of exciting coaching areas, with something for coaches of all experience.  The Power of Constellations Coaching  Keynote session - Coaching with mBIT: Tapping into Embodied Wisdom in coaching  Coaching Tools and Techniques Workshops  OutGROWn? A workshop exploring an alternative coaching model to GROW.  “Good question”  Enhance your coaching presence  Bouncing back from failures  A Refresher Coaching Course designed to support qualified coaches that are returning to coaching after a break  The Mindful Approach to Coaching For more information visit here.

EMC Leadership East Midlands Councils Chair: Cllr Martin Hill OBE First Floor Offices, South Annexe Vice Chair: Cllr Jon Collins Pera Business Park Vice Chair: Cllr Neil Clarke MBE Nottingham Road Conservative Group: Cllr Roger Blaney Melton Mowbray Labour Group: Cllr Robert Parker . Leicestershire Lib Dem Group: Cllr David Bill MBE LE13 0PB Independent Group: Mayor Kate Allsop Click on our Twitter & YouTube accounts for fur- Executive Director: Stuart Young ther information.