Shireen Ritchie, a senior councillor at Kensington & Chelsea RBC, has been confirmed as the new chair of the LGA’s children and young people board.
Cllr Ritchie, an influential Conservative Party figure, will take on the challenge of redefining local government’s approach to children’s issues in the wake of care scandals such as the Peter Connolly – or ‘Baby P’ – case at Haringey LBC.
The LGA named its new board chairs on 17 August, revealing several changes to its line up of personnel who represent Smith Square on specific issues.
District Councils Network chairman Gary Porter is the new chair of the environment board, replacing Paul Bettison, who becomes chair of the local authorities co-ordinators of regulatory services (Lacors).
Birmingham City’s Les Lawrence, who leaves the children and young people’s board, takes over from outgoing Hazel Harding as chair of the safer communities board.
David Rogers from East Sussex CC stays on as chair of the community wellbeing board, while Chris White of Hertfordshire CC retains the chair of the culture board.
David Parsons of Leicestershire CC stays on as chair of the improvement board, while David Sparks of Dudley MDC will continue to lead on regeneration and transport issues.
Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know
Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
