The District Councils Network and its support group, the District Councils’ Chief Executives’ Network, have elected a team of new officers.
The District Councils’ Network is a member-led network of around 170 district councils. It is a special interest group of the Local Government Association, and provides a single voice for district councils within the LGA.
Its new chairman is Cllr Neil Clarke, leader of Rushcliffe BC. He succeeds Cllr Gary Porter. Mr Clarke is a company director and has been running his own business since 1984. A councillor for 24 years, he is in his sixth year as leader at Rushcliffe.
The Chief Executives Network is made up of district council chief executives from across the country.
Its members work to promote the district council’s role in delivering services to local people, and lobby on behalf of all district councils providing a clear and to provide consistent voice about issues that really matter.
Its new chairman is Steve Atkinson, chief executive at Hinckley and Bosworth BC.
Mr Atkinson has worked in district, borough and county councils in England – Preston, West Lancashire, Cumbria County and Daventry District – the latter being his fi rst chief executive role, where he stayed for five years.
Vice chairs are David Cook, chief executive at Kettering BC; and David Buckle, chief executive at South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs. New secretary is The MJ’s regular columnist, Paul Lankester, chief executive at Stratford on Avon DC; with Mark Hall, chief executive at Oadby and Wigston DC, as new treasurer.
