Appointments to Outside Bodies and Appointment of Member Champions and Appointment of Member Project Sponsors
Report by:
Liam Henry, Borough Solicitor and David Cook, Borough Secretary
Ward Implications:
All Wards indirectly
1
Summary
1.1
The purpose of the report is to seek Member nominations to the wide range of external organisations that the Council appoints to each year.
1.2
The report also seeks Member appointments to a number of “Member Champion” positions.
1.3
The appointment of Member representatives to outside bodies and to the “Member Champion” positions will be undertaken in the context of the ongoing Partnership Review, which is a key component of the Council’s improvement programme.
1.4
Finally, the report also seeks Member Sponsors for a number of key projects, details of which are set out in the substantive report.
2
Recommendations
2.1
To agree Member appointments to the outside bodies listed on Appendix 1 to this report;
2.2
To make Member appointments to the “Member Champions” positions listed in the substantive report;
2.3
In making these appointments, to acknowledge the importance of continuing with the implementation of the Partnership Review in order to determine which appointments best meet the Council’s own objectives and priorities in accordance with the criteria of the review and which can be discontinued following assessment against those criteria; and
2.4
To appoint Members as sponsors for a small number of important ongoing projects.
3
Report
3.1
Appointments to Outside Bodies
Each year, the Council appoints Members to represent its interests on a wide range of outside bodies. This is done by seeking nominations at the relevant meeting of the Council. Nominations should be made on the basis that the interested Member has some relevant experience, involvement or knowledge of the external organisation and is best placed to represent the Council’s interests on that body.
3.2
A list of outside bodies that the Council is currently represented on is attached to this report as Appendix A. Most appointments are for a period of one year, although some appointments are for longer terms.
3.3
Following the Council’s last Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) and the implementation of the improvement programme resulting from that exercise, the Council agreed in June 2006 to adopt a Policy for Strategic Engagement with Partner Organisations, which is intended to ensure that the Council’s approach to partnership engagement is focused in the appropriate areas and makes best use of the Council’s limited capacity. At the same time, Council considered an audit of partnerships, which can be used to help inform decisions about which outside bodies the Council should continue to be represented on, which should be discontinued, and whether there are any new appointments which need to be added to the current list. A copy of the audit can be obtained from the Borough Secretary.
3.4
Appointment of Member Champions
Member Champions are not specifically political appointments.
A Member Champion is expected to:
• Champion a designated issue within various debating for a to ensure that the Council does not overlook specific issues
• Represent the Council on specific bodies or at specific events related to the subject for which they are champion – eg a youth council, or a conference on ageing within the Borough)
• Have an understanding and insight into the Council’s policies and practices in the relevant area
• Act as a “critical friend” to the Council and its officers on matters related to the relevant area
• Lead the Council’s input in partnership discussions on the relevant area
• Bring their knowledge of the subject to bear on the development and delivery of the Council’s services and policies
Member Champions are not political appointments. They will act as the Council’s advocate and spokesperson on the relevant area.
3.5
Members are asked to nominate to the following Member Champion positions:
a) Design Champion
b) Historic Environment Champion
c) Culture Champion
d) Youth/Children’s Champion
e) Older People’s Champion
f) Town Centre Champion
3.6
Member Project Sponsors
The Council’s adopted Project Management Methodology identifies the need for a Member Sponsor to e part of each project team.
3.7
The role is one of assurance, making sure that the project delivers the identified outputs, within the timescale and resource constraints identified at the outset. The Member Sponsor will be a support to the Project Manager, but also provide a challenge to ensure the best outcomes for the customers of the Borough.
3.8
The amount of time required will naturally depend on the size and complexity of the project, but a Member could expect to spend an hour a week as minimum, for discussions on progress and issue resolution.
3.9
There are a number of projects under way which do not have Member Sponsors.
These are :
• Culture Change
• Content Management System
• Asset Management Plan and Capital Strategy
• Improving Housing Choice
• Continuous Service Improvement
• Organisational Restructure
• Large Scale Voluntary Transfer
• Risk Management, and
• Partnerships
Member sponsors are sought for each of the projects listed above. Further details of projects can be obtained from Ann Byrne, Improvement and Project Officer, or on the Council W : drive on your computer.
4
Implications
4.1
Comments from the Council’s Section 151 Officer
None directly arising from this report.
4.2
Comments from the Council’s Monitoring Officer
To follow
4.3
Comments from the Head of Paid Service
To follow
4.4
Local Agenda 21
None.
4.5
Equality
None.
4.6
Crime and Disorder
None.
5
Report Author
5.1
David Cook, Borough Secretary,tel.01290 301716/email dc@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk
6
Service Head
6.1
Liam Henry, Borough Solicitor
7
Background Papers
7.1
Policy for Strategic Engagement with Partner Organisations (June 2006)
