New Chair and political leadership team for CCN

Today at the Annual General Meeting of the County Councils Network (CCN) the appointment of its cross-party Management Committee has been confirmed.

Following the local elections on 1st May, where 21 CCN member councils were up for election, the CCN’s political proportionality was updated ahead of a full reconstitution of the network’s governance structures.

As the party with the largest relative majority, the Conservative group retained the CCN Chair position, and today, Cllr Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council was nominated as Conservative Group Leader and therefore Chair of the organisation. This follows Cllr Tim Oliver OBE stepping down from the role, following a four year-term.

Speaking on his appointment as Chair of CCN, Cllr Hicks said;

“It is with great pride that I have been nominated by the Conservative Group to lead this cross-party network. I would like to pay tribute to Cllr Tim Oliver, who has further transformed the network into a highly influential body that punches well above its weight.

“All of local government faces enormous challenges and with a new ministerial team in place at MHCLG, there has never been a more important time for a strong national organisation representing the unique interests of county and rural unitary authorities. From local government finance, to devolution, adult social care to special educational needs, I and my fellow leadership team will ensure the network continue to lead the agenda on the biggest issues facing our member councils.”

For the first time, Reform UK will form a political group at the network, with Cllr Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, appointed as Group Leader and CCN Vice Chair.

Commenting on the formation of the new group, Cllr Matthews said;

“I am delighted to be appointed as the first Reform UK Group Leader and Vice Chair of CCN. It’s a privilege to represent our councils on the national stage through CCN. Since May, I have been hugely impressed with the work of CCN in supporting its member councils and fighting the corner of county and rural authorities, particularly in areas such as housing and planning reforms. I look forward to working on a cross-party basis to take this organisation from strength to strength.”

Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, has been reappointed as Liberal Democrat Group Leader and CCN Vice Chair, returning to the role she has undertaken for the last year.

Commenting on her reappointment, Cllr Nethsingha commented;

“I am delighted to continue in my role as Vice Chair of CCN at a crucial time for the sector. Building on the recent advocacy of the network, a particular focus for the Liberal Democrat group will be seeking a comprehensive solution to the crisis facing special educational needs and disabilities services; one that overhauls a system that isn’t working for pupils, parents, schools and councils alike.”

In addition, Cllr David Hitchiner, Independents for Herefordshire, was appointed Independent Group Leader and Cllr Nick Mannion, Leader of Cheshire East Council, as Labour Group Leader, with both taking on positions as CCN Vice Chairs.

Cllr Steven Broadbent, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, also joins CCN Management Committee as Conservative Deputy Group Leader and CCN Vice Chair.

Cllr Broadbent said;

“As Leader of a large unitary authority that recently reorganised, I already know the value CCN brings to both its county and single-tier member councils. It’s vital the network remains on the front foot on a host of policy areas, not least devolution and local government reorganisation. The government must safeguard the critical role of local our councils in driving local growth through new strategic authority arrangements, while ensuring the creation of unitary councils of sufficient size and scale.”

Cllr Hitchiner said;

“My county of Herefordshire, like many others, face unique challenges associated with delivering council services in sparsely populated rural areas. With funding reforms on the horizon, I will support the network to continue to make the case for the fair funding review to deliver sustainable long-term funding for all member councils that recognises the unique pressures faced in county areas.”

Cllr Mannion said;

“We know councils up and down the country are facing significant pressure from rising demand and costs in care services. With major reforms in children’s services and the forthcoming Casey Review of adult social care, I will support the network to build on its track record of sector leading research and advocacy to put forward a strong case for its member councils to central government on these critical agendas.”

Political groups will now nominate representatives to serve on CCN’s Executive Committee. This is the organisations politically proportionate body that sets the overall direction and policy positions of the network, with spokespeople positions allocated to lead the delivery of the CCN work programme and act as the networks' voice in the media and parliament.

Notes to editor

• The County Councils Network (CCN) is the national voice for England’s county and unitary councils. It represents 37 councils: 20 county councils and 17 unitary authorities. Collectively, they represent 25 million people, or 47% of the country’s population. Read more here.
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• Following Mays local elections CCN’s political balance was confirmed as: