Outside Bodies

Type of Organisation

eg Charity

Employers' Organisation

Aims and Objectives of the Organisation:

Be an active and influential Employers’ organisation for local government in the South East of England.

Represent our Member Councils' collective interests at a national and regional level. 

Provide expert and local knowledge and advice on employee relations, organisational development, workforce planning, equality and diversity, recruitment and assessment, pay, grading and allowances, mediation and conflict resolution, performance management and appraisal systems

Provide seminars, development opportunities and events for Councillors, Managers, Human Resources and Health & Safety professionals, Democratic Services Officers, Scrutiny Officers. 

Represent the South East Region Employers' side on the SE Regional Joint Committee with local authority trade unions.

Support Councils in achieving the SE Charter for Elected Member Development.

Respond to consultation documents on relevant issues.

Obtain, collate and disseminate information to members regarding both employment in local government and general conditions of service and employment; including a survey on members’ allowances.

Role and responsibility of the Council representative

eg. Observer, Trustee, Board Member, Observer

·       Employers' Organisation.  Full rights to vote and speak.

·       To be the democratic representative for your council, acting as the link between South East Employers and the member council.

·       Provide the strategic direction for the development, implementation and evaluation of the SEE Business Plan

What does the Organisation hope to achieve through the relationship?

The benefit for South East Employers is regular and live input from members in terms of their priorities and expectations of the organisation.  At our Executive Committee and Full Meetings we frequently hold discussion groups where representatives are able to express the view of their council on topical issues (often liaising with their Head of HR to consolidate the council view).  We also seek representatives’ views when responding to Government consultations on key issues. 

How often are the meetings held, venue and time?

BSEE Meetings x 2 a year – the AGM and one other full SEE Meeting

Executive Committee Meetings x 3 a year, but one is convened immediately after the AGM in July

AGM – first meeting after elections.  New Committees appointed.  Always held in July: 10.30am – 3.00/3.30pm – 5 hours ) (including refreshments and lunch)

Full SEE Meeting held in March , held during the day 11.00am to 3.00pm 5 hours maximum (including refreshments and lunch)

Executive Committee Meeting – members elected at AGM each year

3 meetings a year, one immediately after the AGM in July in London, and the other two in September and December – held normally in Winchester – 10.30 to 2.00pm (including refreshments and lunch)

Regional Joint Committee meetings (only convened if required)

Meetings are usually held at venues in South East, including London or Winchester) and last from 10.30am to 1.00pm. They have a formal agenda

What skills/experience/interests would be desirable from the Council’s representative?

§  Communication

-    Communicate the interests of their councils to SEE

-   Communicate the interests of SEE to their councils

§  Scrutiny and Challenge

-       Consider and investigate broad policy issues as members of SEE

-       Challenge processes, people and decisions in an objective and constructive manner

§   Provide Vision

-       Demonstrate openness to new ideas

-       Broaden perspective and enhance effectiveness by learning from others and sharing learning and good practice

§   Manage Performance

-       Develop knowledge of the role of SEE as a regional employers’ organisation,  and input individual council views and expectations at SEE meetings

-       Encourage and support the scrutiny process and respond positively to feedback, challenge and ideas

§   Political Understanding

-       Represent your groups’ views and values through decisions and actions

-       Understand and adhere to the rules and procedures of SEE

§   Working in Partnership

-       Assist in the implementation of processes to identify and tackle, in partnership with SEE, issues of council and other organisations that affect the community.

-       Represent the interests of SEE as the appointed representative and provide two-way communication between SEE and the council.

-       Develop a knowledge of SEE rules and procedures and develop a good working relationship with the staff of SEE.

§   Leadership

-       Act as the public face and ambassador of SEE

-       Encourage co-operation and communication across political, council, regional and national boundaries

What arrangements are in place to indemnify board members against the risk of personal liability?

Yes, £5,000,000 personal liability cover.

Any other information the Organisation wishes to add

The value for representatives includes:

·         a regular update of employment law, other local government developments and their impact on employment. 

·         Access to our website.  (Tunbridge Wells log-in details are: Username: twells, Password: fm156)

·         Regular information on elected member development.

·         Members are welcome to use, adapt or circulate all information they receive to other members and we welcome any constructive feedback from members on our meetings, the value received and on the usefulness of our website.

·         We will also welcome any suggestions/contributions to our newsletter SEENews which is circulated to all representatives.