RICHARD ASHTON STEPS DOWN AS CPON CHAIRMAN

29 June 2010 Leave a comment

RICHARD ASHTON: A PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO LEAD CPON

CPON has announced that it’s Chairman, Richard Ashton, is stepping down after five successful years in the role.

Richard, who became Chairman in August 2005, is leaving his political assistant’s role at Tameside at the end of June, and believes the time is now right to hand over the reins at CPON.

Richard said, “It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to have led CPON for the last five years, but I do not feel it would be right to continue as Chairman once I have left my role at Tameside Council.

“The last five years has been a remarkable period for the network, during which time our membership doubled and we received recognition for our work from a wide spectrum of individuals and organisations, from the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to our partners in local government such as the Conservative Councillors’ Association, the LGiU and the IDeA.

“None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our network members in local government, who day after day are making a real difference to the local democratic process. I would like to thank them for the support they have given me during my time as Chairman, and I wish my successor and the network all the very best for the future.”

Elections will now be held to find Richard’s successor.

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SUPPORT TO POLITICAL GROUPS: SPIN OR SUBSTANCE?

16 April 2009 Leave a comment

lgiu-logo

The Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) is holding a good practice seminar on Tuesday 5th May entitled, “Support to political groups: spin or substance?”

According to the LGiU, the majority of councillors say that it is the political element of their work that encourages them to stand for election and it drives forward much of their activities once they are elected. 

The LGIU believes the fact that 96 per cent of local politicians belong to a political party affects every part of council leadership and business.  How the council operates in this political environment helps determine its success.

The LGiU has found that when asked what support most councillors would put at the top of their wish list a political assistant is always a high priority.  However, fewer than 100 councils employ political assistants.  In the current climate of tight financial budgets councils want to be sure that they are offering the support members want and helps them best.

The seminar will:

  • explore how councils can provide support to political groups
  • demystify the many different ways in which support to political groups can work
  • look closely at what it is that political assistants can and can’t do
  • consider the advantages and disadvantages of dedicated group officers as part of other support councils may give to their elected councillors
  • question whether political group support adds value to the work that the council does
  • look at how officers supporting the political groups work with other council officers

Speakers at the event will include CPON’s Chairman, Richard Ashton, and Cllr. Barry Macleod-Cullinane, Political Advisor to the London Councils’ Conservative Group and Portfolio Holder for Adults & Housing, London Borough of Harrow.

Richard Ashton said, “I am very much looking forward to demystifying the role of political assistants for those attending the seminar, and extolling the virtues of our work and the benefits to all concerned in local government.”

More details can be found here.

Filed under Events, Training Tagged with , ,

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