6.         CHAMPIONS

6.1       Appointment of Champions

At its discretion, the Council may, from time to time, designate Champions from amongst Councillors who are not Members of the Executive.

6.2       Term of Office

Councillors who are designated as Champions shall hold office until:

(a)        they resign from office;

(b)          they are suspended from being Councillors under Part III of the Local Government Act 2000 (although they may resume office at the end of the period of suspension);

(c)           they are no longer Councillors; or

(d)          until the commencement of the next Annual Meeting of the Council, except that the Council may remove them from office at its discretion.

6.3       Role and Functions

To act as a positive focus for the local community at elected member level in respect of the relevant section of the community or range of activities designated by the Council so as 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.

6.4       Key Tasks

(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.

6.5       Champions’ Panel

Champions may, at their own discretion, appoint Panels to support their work where this would not overlap with other established liaison or consultative mechanisms.

6.6       Constitution and Term of Office

Champions may establish Panels and make appointments to serve on Panels within the following guidelines:

(a)          Up to four Members of the Council and reflecting the political balance of the Council so far as practicable.

(b)          A minimum of four community representatives selected by the appropriate Champion at his or her discretion.

(c)           Panel Members will remain as Panel Members at the sole discretion of the Champion until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

6.7       Terms of Reference

The terms of reference of Champions’ Panels will be:

(a)          To act as the sector local sounding board on topical or community issues, or around strategic issues affecting the client group and areas of interest.

(b)          By being ‘in touch’ to deal with emerging issues quickly and directly with relevant Officers or Members.

(c)           To collect information and identify issues of special attention which may be beyond the remit of the Panel.

(d)          To play an important role in consulting their client group/interest group on the development of policy which affects their areas of interest.

(e)          To contribute to policy review studies requested by the Executive.