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LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE (LGFRC)

MINUTES OF 18th MEETING: 16 DECEMBER 2005, ST ANDREWS HOUSE, EDINBURGH

Present:

Committee:
Sir Peter Burt, Chairman
Professor John Baillie, Member
Dr Janet Lowe CBE, Member

In Attendance:
Kenneth McKay CBE, Specialist Adviser to the Committee
David Milne, Secretary to the Committee
Stewart Barrie, Assistant Secretary to the Committee
David McNeish, Citizens Advice Scotland*

*for item 3 only

Apologies:
Peter Daniels, OBE, Member


1. Meeting with Sir Michael Lyons
1.1 It was noted that Sir Michael Lyons was unable to meet with the Committee due to the publication of his Interim Report and related research on December 15.
1.2 The Committee agreed that a rescheduled meeting should be arranged with Sir Michael and his team at the earliest opportunity. It was anticipated that this would take place in London before the end of January 2006.

2. Deliberative Focus Groups by GfK NOP: Draft Report
2.1 The Committee welcomed Professor Midwinter for a discussion about the "Brief History of Local Government Finance in Scotland" paper he had produced for the Committee.

3. Discusssion with David McNeish, Citizens Advice Scotland
3.1 The Committee welcomed David McNeish of Citizens Advice Scotland for a discussion about his organisation’s experience of the practical issues and difficulties for taxpayers associated with the Council Tax system.

4. Committee Brainstorming Session
4.1 The Committee discussed further arrangements for the two day brainstorming session being held on 19 and 20 January.


Summary of action points:

• Secretariat to forward the Committee's comments on the draft deliberative research report to GfK NOP.
• Secretariat to arrange rescheduled meeting between Committee and Sir Michael Lyons.
• Secretariat to make final arrangements for brainstorming session on 19 and 20 January.

Local Government Finance Review Committee
Secretariat
December 2005