County Councils Network (CCN) - annual report to LGA Board 2023

• Lead Member: Cllr Tim Oliver, CCN Chairman-Elect
• Lead Officer: Simon Edwards, Chief Executive Email: [email protected]
• Address: 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ Telephone: 0207 664 3002
• Website: County Councils Network (CCN)

• Buckinghamshire C
• Cambridgeshire CC
• Central Bedfordshire C
• Cheshire East C
• Cornwall C
• Cumberland C
• Derbyshire CC
• Devon CC
• Dorset C
• Durham CC
• East Riding of Yorkshire C
• East Sussex CC
• Essex CC
• Gloucestershire CC
• Hampshire CC
• Herefordshire C
• Hertfordshire CC
• Kent CC
• Lancashire CC
• Lincolnshire CC
• Norfolk CC
• North Yorkshire C
• Northumberland CC
• North Northamptonshire C
• Nottinghamshire CC
• Oxfordshire CC
• Shropshire C
• Somerset C
• Staffordshire CC
• Suffolk CC
• Surrey CC
• Warwickshire CC
• Westmorland and Furness C
• West Northamptonshire C
• West Sussex CC
• Wiltshire C
• Worcestershire CC

Ensure Counties have the powers and resources to meet the needs and aspirations of their residents on issues of particular importance to our councils and their communities.

Vision

To ensure CCN is an influential and respected network, advocating innovative policy solutions on the challenges facing local government and the wider public sector.

CCN Core Functions

The 2023/24 business plan set out the ‘core business’ and activity that CCN delivers on behalf of our member councils, including;

National Advocacy and Representation

Our network acts as the informed and representative voice for County Councils and Unitary Councils in England. We represent and advocate on behalf our members within the LGA; make direct representations to Whitehall departments; and collaborate closely with national stakeholders.

Research and Policy Development

Combining our national level expertise and our members’ frontline policy experience we produce and commission sector-based, forward thinking, research on behalf of our members and the wider public sector to provide innovative policy solutions to key challenges facing our residents.

Sharing and Promoting Best Practice

Through various platforms, including an Annual Conference, workshops, seminars, publications, research and reports we identify and share best practice across our network to enable our members, and wider public sector, to tackle the economic and social problems faced by local communities.

National Collaboration and Commissioning

The CCN works with a wide network of industry stakeholders. This includes the LGA, ACCE, SCT, ADASS, ADCS, DCN and Professional Associations, as well as think-tanks, private and public sector local government partners. We seek to commission work to support our research, policy and advocacy to supplement key skills of the CCN team.

Communications and Public Affairs

CCN acts to raise the profile of the network and represent County and County Unitary Councils in the broadcast, online and print media; articulating members’ views, showcasing best practice and neutralising general threats to our members’ reputation. CCN seeks to influence national stakeholders through a comprehensive public affairs strategy, engaging civil servants, Ministers and other key influencers.

Political Leadership

Each Council in CCN membership nominates four elected members to serve on the CCN Council. Top up places are used to ensure political proportionality on CCN Council.

The CCN Council AGM in September elects the CCN Management Committee which comprises the Chair and a Vice Chairs from each of the political groups.

Spokespersons are nominated by each political group on a politically proportionate basis. The Management Committee and Spokespersons form the CCN Executive.

CCN Management Committee

• Chairman: Cllr Tim Oliver
• Vice Chair: Cllr Barry Lewis
• Vice Chair: Cllr Jerry Roodhouse
• Vice Chair: Cllr Sam Corcoran
• Vice Chair: Cllr Julian German

CCN Officer Team

The work of the network is supported by a small core team based in 18 Smith Square, Westminster.

• Chief Executive: Simon Edwards
• Director of Policy and Communications James Maker
• Senior Policy Advisor: Jonathan Rallings
• Senior Policy Advisor: Peter French
• Senior Policy Advisor: Alun Hughes
• Senior Policy and Public Affairs Advisor: James Holden
• Media and Communications Officer: Ian Burbidge
• Partnership and Events Officer: Hannah Chard

Key activities / outcomes of work undertaken

For further information on CCN research, policy and communications activity over the past year and future planned work please read the CCN Business Plan.