Issue - meetings

LGA Special Interest Groups are able to make representations direct to Government and elsewhere on matters arising directly from their special interest, and to obtain LGA assistance in doing so.

The Policy and Performance Team have produced a summary table of the special interest groups that the authority would have an interest in due to geographical, organisational and strategic considerations. (Appendix 1)

The Policy and Performance Team is able to:

·       act as the point of contact for Special Interest Groups,

·       receive the agendas,

·       prepare briefing papers,

·       request items of local interest are added to the agenda as directed,

·       co-ordinate and track responses,

and share learning across organisation as appropriate.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       Cabinet note the six special interest groups the authority is currently involved in; and

(b)       The Policy and Performance Team make further enquiries and the necessary arrangements for an appropriate Councillor or Officer to be appointed to the necessary SIGs

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

To facilitate BCP Council’s involvement in national policy, to increase the authorities lobbying power and the co-ordination of those activities.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were informed that LGA Special Interest Groups were able to make representations direct to Government and elsewhere on matters arising directly from their special interest, and were able to obtain LGA assistance in doing so.

In relation to this Cabinet were advised that the Policy and Performance Team had produced a summary table of the special interest groups that the authority would have an interest in due to geographical, organisational and strategic considerations, a copy of which had been tabled as Appendix 1 to the report.

Further to this Cabinet were informed that the Policy and Performance Team were able to:

·         act as the point of contact for Special Interest Groups,

·         receive the agendas,

·         prepare briefing papers,

·         request items of local interest are added to the agenda as directed,

·         co-ordinate and track responses,

·         and share learning across organisation as appropriate.

The Leader advised that the groups were assessed on values and outcomes and that there were further groups for which enquires were being made.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board advised that there were other groups which other Members of the Council were currently involved in which weren’t on this list and urged that all Councillors work together, in respect of this the Leader asked if a list could please be circulated so that a collaborative approach could be established.

RESOLVED that:-

a)        Cabinet note the six special interest groups the authority is currently involved in; and

b)        The Policy and Performance Team make further enquiries and the necessary arrangements for an appropriate Councillor or Officer to be appointed to the necessary SIGs

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council