Latest from the Vice Chair

Well, this is my last newsletter for now, so hopefully I will make it a good one……or at least better than the others!
I have a few things to report before we get into the main features. Firstly, I wish to welcome back to ‘El Presidente’, otherwise known as John Austin, our Chair, who returns to a chilly Blighty after a well-earned break in much warmer climes.

No doubt he will be reading this, teeth chattering, over a hot Horlicks. It would appear my reference to spring being round the corner last week, was a little premature.

One of things I have realised when preparing the newsletter is how reliant we are on each other. It is no different for the Board. The quality of the Association is as good as it members. There is a lot of experience out there and you all have a lot to offer, so please think about getting involved more, if you do not already. Think about features for the newsletter, it would be great to hear from you. Look to get involved in your region and/or think about getting involved on the Board. We will of course continue to report back on our activities and what we are doing, but it is always pleasing to hear about the many good things you are involved in and to learn more about what is going on generally back in your ranches.

VOICE OF THE COUNCILLOR

As I reported last week, we were very pleased to support the formal launch of The Voice of the Councillor last week, in the House of Commons. It was attended by a number of members of the Commission which considered the evidence, including Professor Colin Copus, Heather Jameson (Editor of the MJ), Lord Gary Porter (Chair of the LGA), Anthony Zacharzewski (Director, Democratic Society), Cllr Mike Evans (Chair of Whiteley Town Council & Vice Chair of Hampshire Assoc of Local Councils), Jacqui Mckinay (CE of CfPS) and Rachel Wall, (Researcher to the Commission). The event was hosted by Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee. We were also supported by colleagues from Test Valley BC and Kirklees.

So what next? The plan is to ensure the report and findings do not gather dust like many other reports of this nature. Going forward we need to ensure that people are encouraged to step forward to become Councillors, that the role is appreciated, valued and understood; and that Councillors are supported when they are in that role. And of course, Councillors operate at the highest standards, as should officers. None of this easy. It forms part of a broader discussion that relates to social policy in the UK, the relationship between Central and Local Government and the concerns of our citizens. Hence the reason we are only at the start. Watch this space!

PARTNERSHIP WORKING
John, our Chair, and the rest of the Board, as many of you are; are keen to foster partnership working with other organisations, who also provide invaluable support across the sector. The last item is a prime example of that, but there is a lot more going on.

Sue Keogh, our Director of Development, attended the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) conference in Blackpool earlier this month to run a workshop on ‘managing the pace’.
John Austin, is attending the Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Conference on 9 and 10 March and will be taking part in a panel discussion. John Lynch our Director for Finance will also be in attendance.

John Austin and Sue will be attending the Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR) Conference on 15 and 16 March. Sue will be running a plenary session on ‘managing the pace’ and a workshop on ‘dealing with conflict’.
Sue also recently attended a meeting to discuss the IIMC UK symposium, which will be held in Stratford Upon Avon on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 June 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon. It will overlap with the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) Leadership event, which is being held on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 June, at the same venue. Details will follow.

 

All the best, Dave

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