COUNCIL RATES = INVESTMENT IN LOCAL RECOVERY NILGA TO ENSURE COUNCIL BUDGETS BENEFIT FROM HIGH STREETS, “LEVELLING UP” & SHARED PROSPERITY FUNDS

WEEKLY ACTION MEETING – All Councils Tuesday 2nd March 2021 (10.15 – 10.55am)

Rates 2021 /22 Rates 2020 /21 and Newtownabbey Borough Council Freeze 1.99%

Ards and North Down Borough Council 2.2% 5.64%

Armagh City, and Craigavon Borough Council 1.99% 2.48%

Belfast City Council 1.92% 1.99%

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council 2.49% 7.65%

Derry City and Strabane District Council 1.89% 3.37%

Fermanagh and District Council 1.37% 2.79%

Lisburn & City Council Freeze 3.98%

Mid and East Dom 0.99% Business 0.69% 1.74%

Mid District Council 0% 3.24%

Newry, Mourne and 1.59% 2.85%

Both the Treasury and Stormont Budgets this week will be scrutinised so that investments most appropriately delivered by and through councils can be lobbied for by NILGA. In this vein, Ald Moutray will provide evidence to TEO Committee on Wednesday 3rd March (High Streets Taskforce Session).

Programme for LOCAL Government / PfG – NILGA has sent a draft document to all councils & Solace with input and endorsement so far from all local authorities (22nd February meeting). It shows that properly resourced and empowered Councils, with a strong vision, can provide more local services more democratically led by place.

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Economy - In May 2021, NILGA Full Members will be invited to an event to look at the new economic environment and councils’ roles in driving enterprise locally.

Economy & International Affairs Network – met on Thursday 25th Feb to discuss their key priorities for the year. The 3 main priorities include, regeneration, economy recovery and the labour market. Local and sectoral issues were also raised but due to time and resource constraints the above issues will take priority.

EU Exit – Solace and NILGA officers met on Monday 1st Mar to discuss ongoing issues such as the grace period, staffing and governance. NILGA will take corporate view from Members. MEABC has approved a notice of motion towards the opposition of the Protocol.

The DfC Ministerial Advisory Group met on Friday 26th Feb to discuss High Street protection and enhancement. A toolkit is to be co-designed along with Councils.

Irl Councillors Links: AILG in Ireland has requested to meet with the NILGA OB group on Tuesday 9th Mar to share good practices. Their Chair is promoting Women in Local Government issues such as childcare, maternity, and equality of opportunity from a councillor’s perspective. ACTION: Sarah Little will send invitations to the AILG meeting shortly.

Assembly Recovery Plan for safe reopening has been released. Hospitality Ulster have also released their Recovery Plan.

Code of Conduct: Dispensation is still an issue for Members. This was raised previously with the DfC as a policy issue to be considered. ACTION: NILGA to send a cross-party response to the DfC Minister regarding the ongoing Dispensation issue.

Dates to Note: SOLACE Meeting: Fri 5th March 2021 AILG Meeting: Tuesday 9th March 2021 NILGA Exec Meeting: Fri 12th March 2021 NILGA OB Action Meeting: Tuesday 16th March 2021 Mental Health & Wellbeing for Councillors: Friday 19th March 2021

See www.nilga.org

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