General Enquiries

Can I ask what other councils do in this situation: Our Chairman has been invited to a neighbouring council's civic service (but it could refer to other engagements). She was unable to attend, so it was passed to the Vice Chairman and then the latest former Chairman. All could not attend. How far back do you think the invitation should go? For instance, there has been a suggestion to go back to at least the last four Chairmen (going back seven years). Should there be a cut off and is there a protocol for this?
I would welcome thoughts on this as I am new to the civic world.

Hello Trudi,
Personally, I don't think you should pass this invitation down any further than the Vice Chair. This is only a civic service - and NACO questions the value of such engagements in providing value for money for your council tax payers. In NACO's Surviving Scrutiny toolkit, such engagements are "one pointers" - the least value in your civic office contributing the overall goals of your council. Civic services are a traditional part of civic life and I am by no means suggesting they shouldn't be attended, but if neither your Chair and Vice can't attend I'm not sure why it would be passed down to the nth degree - I would always ask - " how much will this cost the council and how does it met the council main strategic aims?" If the money could be spent achieving a greater contribution to council aims on another event/visit I would probably offer my apologies on this occasion - you have tried to get someone to attend!
Paul (Chair of NACO)