Business Leadership Council - Terms of reference
Purpose
The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) established the Business Leadership Council (BLC) in September 2008.
The role of the BLC, is to:
• Advise the Executive Board on its ongoing policies and priorities
• Conduct its own review on the areas it believes will determine the future well being of the Manchester city region and
• Where issues are particularly important, have the power to make recommendations directly to the Executive Board.
The BLC is to set its own agenda, focussed on:
• Securing economic growth in key sectors
• Influencing investment in infrastructure and transport
• Promoting environmental responsibility and resource efficiency
• Skills and training for work
Structure
BLC members are senior and experienced members of the business community in the Manchester City Region, drawn from a broad range of industries. BLC members sit on the council as individuals and do not represent the views of their company or of their industry. Members were appointed following an independent search and selection process.
Council members, including the chair, hold their places for a term of three years and can serve up to two terms.
So that the BLC does not need to completely renew its membership every 3 (or 6) years, after the first year of its operation, members of the council are asked to volunteer for a further one, two or three years with the aim of allocating five to each category. If this aim cannot be achieved voluntarily, the council can decide terms by ballot.
The chair is appointed under the independent search and selection process. The chair can appoint two deputies
Scope and operation
The BLC produces an annual work programme. This programme is informed by the timescales of the activities and the production of strategies by the AGMA Executive Board and the thematic Commissions. It also allows space for the BLC to consider any other issues that members decide are a priority for the city region.
The BLC can ask Commissions to undertake further work to assist them in coming to a clear view, and the Council can also ask experts in associated fields to advise the council of alternative views or to discuss issues which the Commissions are not currently pursuing.
The BLC is not a scrutiny body, nor does it operate as a select committee and it does not have the authority to ‘sign off’ AGMA’s strategies or plans. Nevertheless, the Executive and the Commissions must give proper regard to the views of the BLC, if necessary clearly explaining why the BLC’s views have not been taken forward
Sub-groups
From time to time the BLC may choose to set up sub-groups to carry out more in depth work. These groups can ask others from beyond the BLC’s membership to join them and can ask the Commissions for help in carrying out research. Sub-groups are time limited, bringing a recommended position statement back to the full BLC for discussion within 3 months.
How does the BLC communicate its views?
1. The BLC communicates as above, by giving direct feedback to a Commission on its plans.
2. The chair of the BLC, with other members, will attend AGMA Executive and present members’ views.
3. The BLC may decide, from time to time, to produce a report of its views for AGMA Executive.
Administration
The BLC receives policy and secretariat support from the Greater Manchester Intergrated Support Team (GMIST), with additional policy support being drawn from across AGMA and the GMCA as appropriate.
Prejudicial interests
A member has a prejudicial interest in a matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest.
A member with a prejudicial interest in any matter must:
• withdraw from the room or chamber where a meeting is being held whenever it becomes apparent that the matter is being considered at that meeting, unless he or she has obtained a dispensation
• not seek improperly to influence a decision about that matter
Quorum
The quorum for the council is eight members. If members need to take a decision on a view, or recommendation then at least eight of the members present need to be in agreement.
Replacement of members
If members resign, or otherwise leave the Council before their three year term elapses, during the first 18 months of its operation, the chair can appoint further members from the original shortlist of candidates produced by an independent search and selection exercise. Beyond the first 18 months the search and selection exercise is to be repeated with the aim of producing a shortlist which can be drawn from during the following 18 months, should the need arise.
