Non-Executive Board Member – LGA Liberal Democrat Nominee  (remunerated)

Role description: July 2021


Introduction

Local Partnerships is a joint venture between the Local Government Association, HM Treasury and the Welsh Government. It was formed in 2009 and works solely for the benefit of the public sector. Our purpose is to help public sector organisations face the ever-increasing challenge of meeting rising demands for services, with shrinking budgets. 

We provide capacity and capability where it is needed, helping to form a bridge between central government policy and local delivery. Our support is especially relevant in helping councils and combined authorities shape and create place-based growth.

We report annually on our activities and performance through our Impact Report, the latest of which may be found on our website. 

The Board of Local Partnerships currently comprises thirteen positions of Director as follows:

  • four people nominated by HM Treasury
  • four people nominated by the Local Government Association (politically affiliated)
  • one person nominated by Welsh Government
  • three independent members
  • the chief executive.

With the exception, of the chief executive, all the roles are non-executive positions.

The current chairman is Sir David Wootton JP who is one of the independent members. 

We are now seeking to fill a vacancy for the politically affiliated Board position from the LGA Liberal Democrat Group.

Terms

The Board meets for formal meetings six times a year at the headquarters of Local Partnerships which is 18 Smith Square, Westminster, London SW1P 3HZ. In addition, the Board meets for a strategy day once a year

Further attendance at relevant events will be required from time to time. 

All meetings since March 2020 have been held virtually. It is expected that meetings will return to face-to-face at Smith Square in September 2021 (under review).

The role attracts remuneration of £7,000 p.a. for a commitment of half to one day per month. The remuneration is not pensionable.

Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Local Partnerships’ expenses policy. 

For more information please contact: 

Sir David Wootton, Board Chair

[email protected]

07785 500 835 

Sean Hanson, chief executive

[email protected]

07771 838 817

Who we are and what we do 

Local Partnerships is owned jointly by HM Treasury, the Local Government Association (LGA) and Welsh Government. We were set up to help ensure delivery of public sector projects and programmes at the local level. It was recognised that local authorities and other public bodies may find it uneconomic to employ the delivery capacity and commercial expertise required to deliver new policies, and we were established – by the public sector, for the public sector – to address that need. 

We aim to assist local authorities and others to make their client and commissioning arrangements more effective, and ensure projects are brought forward in a way that ensures best value for money and timely delivery. Our business plan reflects key government and local priorities.

Our employees and associates are highly skilled and experienced specialists from the key disciplines required for project development, appraisal and implementation. We are extremely well-networked within the public sector and in touch with senior decision-makers in many public sector bodies. 

Examples of current programmes:

  • strategic and responsive support to councils responding to the climate emergency
  • work for DEFRA helping procure and deliver waste infrastructure throughout England, and increasingly assisting with post-completion work on existing projects
  • work for a variety of clients making savings in PFI projects
  • savings programmes for local authorities and others, including detailed analyses of local authority trading companies
  • the national RE:FIT programme, retro-fitting energy efficiency measures in public buildings
  • work for the Welsh Government on implementing renewable energy and circular economy projects
  • work with a number of local authorities looking at alternative service delivery methods and integration of services, including integrated health and social care
  • assurance and gateway reviews across the country

Most of our work is fee-earning. Approximately 5 per cent of our funding comes from the Local Government Association as a proportion of the Sector Led Improvement funding that flows down from MHCLG. This funding is used to support English local authorities in ways that will bring learning and benefit to local government generally.

VISION 

Our vision is as simple as it is challenging: to strengthen the public sector to deliver more effectively, achieve more swiftly, and give value for money to the taxpayer and public sector clients.

VALUES 

We are motivated by public sector values:

•    putting local people’s needs first

•    striving for efficiency and effectiveness

•    cherishing diversity in people and services

OPERATING PRINCIPLES 

Our operating principles are:

•    we only work for public sector bodies, the community-focused third sector, and related partners with almost all our work being done in England and Wales

•    we focus business development on our owners’ priorities

•    we bring added value to local public services, avoiding assignments others could readily provide 

•    we share our learning rather than hoard our intellectual capital 

•    our charging model aims to recover costs, not maximise surplus.

In 2020/21, the turnover of Local Partnerships was £9.8 million. 



BOARD MEMBERS 

The role of a Board member is:

•    to have oversight of the organisation, ensuring costs are covered by income, and the priorities of the members are addressed appropriately

•    to account to the Members of the Limited Liability Partnership (HM Treasury, LGA and Welsh Government) accordingly

•    to act as an ambassador for Local Partnerships when networking in other roles 

•    to represent Local Partnerships at external events, as requested and agreed 

•    to be a resource (for expertise or judgement) by the executive staff

Person specification

We are looking for a Liberal Democrat Board member who is not currently employed within central or local government, but who has a good understanding of the public sector, and an understanding of the pressures of running a small to medium sized professional services organisation. 

We are keen to increase the diversity of the Board, and applications from people with protected characteristics are encouraged. We would particularly welcome applications from women or non-binary candidates, people of colour and people with disabilities, as we are significantly under-represented in these areas. 

In addition, we seek the following characteristics:

  • a record of distinction from the private or public sectors, but in a field of relevance to the work of Local Partnerships
  • an excellent grasp of the commercial aspects of running a small business, coupled with respect for the democratic process
  • excellent communication skills
  • experience of building effective relationships with key stakeholders such as council leaders and chief executives and central government ministers and senior officials
  • good understanding of finance or commerce
  • values consonant with those of Local Partnerships .

Leadership team

The organisation is led managerially by the Leadership Team comprising:

  • Sean Hanson, Chief Executive
  • Howel Jones, Corporate Director (Programmes and Projects)
  • Rosie Pearson, Corporate Director (Business Development)
  • Caroline Hampden-White, Head of Marketing and Communications

Renumeration details

The role attracts non-pensionable remuneration of £7,000 per annum.  The Board member should be resident in England or Wales. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Local Partnerships’ expenses policy (which for example does not permit first class train travel).

The appointment is for a period of two years, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term. 

Timetable and how to apply

The closing date for applications is 13 August 2021 Candidates should submit an up to date CV plus a supporting statement of up to four pages setting out how you meet the requirements of the person specification to [email protected]

Interviews TBC 

The appointment will come into effect on 1 September 2021

Sir David Wootton or Sean Hanson will be happy to talk to potential candidates in advance of their application.

Sir David Wootton

[email protected]

07785 500 835

Sean Hanson, Chief Executive

[email protected]

07771 838 817