Political Management Arrangements
Argyll and Bute Council · 29 September 2022
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 29 September 2022 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL 29th September 2022 POLITICAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Councillor John McAlpine, who represented Ward 2, Kintyre and the Islands, very sadly passed away on Monday 18th July 2022. His passing results in a number of vacant positions within the council, on its committees and various external organisations to which Cllr McAlpine was appointed by the Council. 1.2 Councillor Ross Moreland, who was appointed as the council’s representative on KIMO (Kommuners International Kiljorganisation) has indicated that he no longer intends to take up the appointment. 1.3 Councillor Graham Hardie, who was nominated as one of the council’s two representatives to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Board, has advised that he is no longer able to take up this appointment. 1.4 The council is invited to consider what action it wishes to take in light of the above vacancies. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The council is invited to consider what action it wishes to take in light of the vacancies on council committees and external organisations arising from the sad passing of Councillor John McAlpine. A full list of these appointments is set out at paragraphs 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3. 2.2 The Council is asked to appoint one representative to KIMO (Kommuners International Kiljorganisation). 2.3 The Council is asked to nominate one representative to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Board, noting that final appointments to this body are determined by Scottish ministers.
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3. DETAIL 3.1 Council Roles Councillor John McAlpine was appointed to the following council roles at the first meeting of the council on 19th May 2022: a) Policy Lead for Community Planning and Corporate Services b) Depute Policy Lead for Economy and Rural Growth c) Chair of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee 3.2 Committee Vacancies As a result of Councillor McAlpine’s sad passing, there are now vacancies on the following council committees: a) Policy and Resources Committee b) Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee c) Argyll and Bute Harbour Board d) Employee Joint Consultative Committee e) Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers 3.3 Appointments to External Organisations Councillor McAlpine had been appointed as a council representative to the following external organisations: a) Live Argyll Board (external organisation) b) West of Scotland European Forum (statutory body - main representative) 3.4 Area Committee Appointments As one of the three councillors elected to represent Ward 2, Kintyre and the Islands, Councillor McAlpine was appointed to Islay and Jura Community Enterprise Ltd at the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting on 8th June 2022. This note is provided for the council’s information only, with no action required at this stage, as this appointment is one of those made at Area Committee level, and is likely to be picked up at the next appropriate Area Committee meeting following the Ward 2 by-election on 29th September 2022. 3.5 KIMO (Kommuners International Kiljorganisation) KIMO campaigns on marine pollution issues affecting coastal communities, exchanging information on effective public pollution, clean- up operations and sustainable development. It has 128 members from ten European communities and lobbies national governments, the European Commission and others to take effective actions on issues affecting northern seas.
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KIMO in the UK is co-ordinated by Shetland Islands Council, which has requested that member councils appoint one representative each for the 2022 to 2027 local government term. Councillor Ross Moreland, who was initially appointed at the meeting of the Council on 30th June 2022, has indicated that he no longer intends to take up the appointment and there is therefore an opportunity to make an alternative appointment. 3.6 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Board The Council is entitled to nominate two members to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Board, and at least one must be a local member – either living in, or representing a ward within, the National Park. Membership of the Board is a Scottish Government appointment and any new appointments are subject to ministerial approval. Councillor Graham Hardie, who was nominated for one position at the meeting of the Council on 19th May 2022, has advised that he is no longer able to take up this appointment. The Council is invited to make an alternative nomination which will be submitted to Scottish ministers for approval and, subsequently, appointment to the Board. 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 This report outlines a number of vacancies both within the council and on external organisations arising from the sad death of Councillor John McAlpine. It also notes the request to make an appointment to KIMO (Kommuners International Kiljorganisation) and the requirement to make a new nomination for appointment to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Board, with final appointment to that body subject to ministerial approval. 5. IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – Appointments to outside organisations are in keeping with the Council’s commitment to working in partnership with other agencies to benefit the people and communities of Argyll and Bute. 5.2 Financial – The Council will incur costs arising from Elected Members’ participation in some meetings, except where the body has its own allowances scheme.
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5.3 Legal – None 5.4 HR – None 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty - None 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None 5.5.2 Socio-Economic Duty - None 5.5.3 Islands - None 5.6 Climate Change - Participation in KIMO provides an opportunity for the council to participate in a wider environmental discussion forum and share ideas/good practice. 5.7 Risk – None 5.8 Customer Service – None Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 4th August 2022 For further information please contact Aileen McNicol, Leadership Support and Member Services Manager, on 01546 604014 or by email on aileen.mcnicol@argyll-bute.gov.uk