Agenda item

Report attached.

A report relating to the appointment of Council representatives to Outside Bodies and Organisations for the Municipal Year 2023/24 was submitted for approval.

The report included information on the deletion of one role in relation to the Hyndburn GP Commissioning Consortium, as CCGs had been disestablished following the creation of NHS Integrated Care Boards with effect from 1^st July 2022.  The full list of bodies and the nominations was tabled at the meeting.

In accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rule A1.2(x), the Council was required to receive nominations and make appointments to outside bodies and organisations, except where appointment to those bodies had been delegated by the Council or was exercisable only by the Executive.

Councillor Noordad Aziz expressed disappointment that, under the previous Agenda item, the Regeneration and Housing and Panel had been disestablished, particularly in view of the need to attract funding to improve levels of insulation and obtain better Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings for homes.  Councillor Zak Khan agreed that these were important priorities and indicated that the Net Zero Working Group was considering similar issues.  He had already been working with schools, the Citizens Advice Bureau and others to raise awareness.  Councillor Parkins spoke in favour of reinstating the Panel, as some areas suffered from vermin and tenants in the private rented sector and in Housing Association properties were often on limited income.  The Leader agreed to keep the status of the Panel under review.

Councillor Munsif Dad moved an AMENDMENT in respect of the Assistant Armed Forces Champion role, to replace Councillor Judith Addison, with Councillor Dave Parkins, in the light of his previous military service.  The amendment was seconded by Councillor Melissa Fisher.  The Leader indicated that the request should have been raised with her before the meeting and that it would be unfair on Councillor Addison to make an unannounced change.

Councillor Bernard Dawson expressed disappointment that there had not been a more equal distribution of appointments between the Conservative and Labour parties to reflect the number of seats held by each.  He also added that it was important for appointees to attend their respective outside bodies on a regular basis.  Councillor Fisher observed that certain appointees did not attend meetings regularly.

Councillor Addison indicated that she would be prepared to relinquish the Assistant Armed Forces Champion role, if so requested.  She also expressed some support for the view that appointments to outside bodies could be more evenly split.   On the question of attendance, she noted that some local authorities asked their appointees provide formal reports back to the Council to promote active engagement.

Councillor Dave Parkins confirmed that he had experience of 9 years active military service.

The Leader agreed to discuss the appointment of the Assistant Armed Forces Champion with Councillor Addison after the meeting.

With the consent of the meeting Councillor Dad withdrew the AMENDMENT.

Resolved                               -   That the appointments to Outside Bodies and Organisations for the Municipal Year 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.