Political Management Arrangements
Argyll and Bute Council · 30 June 2022
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 30 June 2022 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT SERVICES 30th JUNE 2022 POLITICAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This key purpose of this report is to highlight a number of additional requests for appointments to outside bodies that have been submitted to the Council for consideration, following the initial consideration of such appointments at the first meeting of the Council on 19th May 2022. It also provides an update in relation to appointments to the Live Argyll board. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The council is invited to make the following appointments: a) KIMO (Kommuners International Kiljorganisation) - one representative b) Scottish Joint Council for Local Government Employees - one representative c) Older People’s Champion - one member 2.2 The Council is asked to note the details of its representation on the Live Argyll Board, as set out at paragraph 3.4. 3. DETAIL 3.1 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. KIMO in the UK is co-ordinated by Shetland Islands Council, which has contacted the Council requesting the appointment of one representative for the new council term.
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3.2 Scottish Joint Council for Local Government Employees COSLA has contacted the council seeking a nomination to the Scottish Joint Council for Local Government Employees (the SJC). The SJC is Scotland’s largest council in terms of both employer representation and the number of employees covered. The full SJC contains 32 councillors (one from each Scottish local authority), the COSLA Resources Spokesperson, and 33 trades union representatives. The full SJC meets once a year in November and has decision making authority. In practice, however, decisions about financial matters, and pay in particular, are reserved for COSLA Leaders who provide negotiating remits. Each council is asked to nominate one member to the SJC. The SJC constitution does not specify anything about the councillor nominated and, while it does not need to be a Leader or Depute Leader, a resources spokesperson or similar may be appropriate. When the nominated councillor is unable to attend a meeting, the constitution allows another councillor to substitute. SJC advises that councils may wish to nominate a member who can deputise in this way, or may wish to address it on an ad hoc basis should the need arise. 3.3 Age Scotland - Older People’s Champion Age Scotland has written to the Leader of the Council asking that Argyll and Bute Council considers joining several other Scottish local authorities in appointing an Older People’s Champion. Age Scotland considers that the group of council Older People’s Champions could, working together, be an authoritative collective voice for the older people of Scotland. Appointed Champions have previously met together on a virtual basis, initially twice a year but with some Champions keen to explore scope for more frequent meetings. Appointing a Champion who participates in a wider group of this nature provides an opportunity to voice local issues on a national level, to exchange ideas, and to be a go-to group when the Scottish Government wishes to consult older people, or on older people’s issues. 3.4 Live Argyll Board Following the appointments made at the meeting of the Council on 19th May 2022, it was discovered that an administrative error had been made
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in relation to the number of appointments required to the Live Argyll Board. Following discussions to resolve this matter, the Council’s appointments to the Live Argyll Board are now confirmed as Cllr Maurice Corry, Cllr John McAlpine and Cllr Ian MacQuire. 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 This report outlines a number of requests for appointments to external organisations and provides an update in relation to representation on the Live Argyll Board. 5. IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – This is in keeping with the Council’s commitment to working in partnership with other agencies to benefit the people and communities of Argyll and Bute. 4.2 Financial – The Council will incur costs arising from Elected Members’ participation in some meetings, except where the body has its own allowances scheme. 4.3 Legal – None 4.4 HR – None 4.5 Fairer Scotland Duty - None 4.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None 4.5.2 Socio-Economic Duty - None 4.5.3 Islands - None 4.6 Climate Change - Participation in KIMO provides an opportunity for the council to participate in a wider environmental discussion forum and share ideas/good practice.
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4.7 Risk – None 4.8 Customer Service – None Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 15th June 2022 For further information please Patricia O’Neill, Governance Manager - patricia.oneill@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01546 604384.