20 April 2022
Champions’ Annual Report 2021/22
Executive Director: Delivery – Democratic and Registration Services
1 Introduction
1.1 The attached Annual Report appraises all councillors of the work undertaken by the Council’s four Champions during the year 2021-22. The report informs councillors of activities and their outcomes.
1.2 As part of the Council’s Constitution one of the Champions’ key tasks is to submit an annual report on work undertaken throughout the year for consideration by the Council.
2 Supporting Information
2.1 At its discretion, the Council may, from time to time, designate Champions from amongst Councillors who are not members of the Executive. The Council currently has five Champions:
· Small Business Champion - Councillor Bob Wade
· Commuters’ Champion - Councillor Nigel Atkinson
· Older People’s Champion - Councillor Moira Gaw
· Large Business Champion – Councillor Ankur Shiv Bhandari
· Voluntary Sector Champion - Councillor Mike Gibson
2.2 The role and function of a Council Champion is to act as a positive focus for the local community at elected councillor level in respect of the relevant section of the community or range of activities designated by the Council. This is to ensure that full consideration is given to the impact of Council activities and decisions upon the section of the community or range of activities.
2.3 The key tasks of Council Champions are to:
(a) To make contact with local organisations concerned with the designated section of the community or range of activities and to establish effective and regular consultation arrangements with those organisations.
(b) To represent the views of such organisations to Officers, the Council, the Executive, Overview and Scrutiny Panels and other Committees, on all relevant aspects of the Council’s activities.
(c) To act as an advocate on behalf of the relevant section of the community or range of activities within the Council as an organisation and to the wider community.
(d) To become familiar with the needs and priorities of the relevant section of the community, or range of activities concerned, and to weigh up interests expressed in order to provide sound advice on the implications of alternative courses of action.
(e) To feedback decisions of the Borough Council and to explain the Council’s position on specific issues of concern to relevant organisations and to individuals involved.
(f) To publish an annual report on work undertaken over each year for consideration by the Council.
(g) To appoint Panels to support their work where this would not overlap with other established liaison or consultative mechanisms, in line with the requirements of the Council’s constitution.
3 Equalities Impact Assessment
3.1 The role of Council Champion is to ensure that full consideration is given to the impact of Council activities and decisions upon the section of the community or range of activities which they represent.
4 Strategic Risk Management Issues
4.1 The role of Council Champion is specific to Bracknell Forest and was created to link the planning and delivery of services to the experiences of and impact upon local people, considered in terms of the section of the community or range of activities.
Successful performance of this role will enhance the efficient delivery of Council services and help drive improvements.
Background Papers
None.
Contact for further information
Ann Moore, Head of Democratic and Registration Services – 01344 352260
ann.moore@bracknell-forest.gov.uk