LLG Holds AGM and Welcomes New President Aneeka Muneer

LLG today held its AGM which welcomed the appointment of our new President -Aneeka Muneer. Speaking on her appointment, Aneeka made the following comments :- 

" I am absolutely delighted to be appointed the LLG President and lead on the work built on by many Presidents before me. I intend to continue to drive forward the amazing work achieved so far and place LLG front and centre in the local government legal and governance sphere.

Following on from the work we have already started within Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion, I want to drive home the message around the importance of representation and the concept of “I can see it- I can be it”. Not just in the leaders which represent us but also at entry level, implanting aspirational dreams into future generations.

I want to ensure that people from all backgrounds are encouraged into the profession- so that we may grow our own to become reflective, sustainable workplace. We already have a thriving work experience week, but I want to reach more students by utilising the Regions to really connect with their legal community and locality via Universities and Colleges. I want all members but especially those of minority groups to take up Regional Lead roles- so that others may model their career paths and be inspired by them.  

Diversity brings such enrichment, and I intend to champion this cause throughout my term- and beyond.

A large area of focus for me will be building on our Governance work.

Integrity and accountability are integral to my own values.

I have a deep sense of doing what is right and of upholding ethics. We know that ethical standards are much in discussion and poor decision making frequently exposed. I want to help support the membership to uphold ethical standards and good governance in their authorities. Whilst LLG has many workstreams to support Monitoring Officers- it is important for all members to understand that governance isn’t just for leaders- it's for everyone. We all have a responsibility to maintain it. To think, to reflect, and to stand up when it counts".

Aneeka takes the reigns from outgoing President, Rachel McKoy who has been front and centre during her presidency. Saying farewell to her year in office, Rachel said it had been "a pleasure and privilege to have driven the strategic direction of the company over the past year", adding "I had high expectations for delivery in my year and I am so proud of what we managed to achieve. We have been front and centre, speaking in the local government press and the national press on topics of importance such as …standards, remote meeting provision, violence against councillors and officers, statutory protections, elections, ethical governance, and the Golden Triangle.  

We widened our reach by collaborating with stakeholders on groundbreaking research and analysis - working with the LGIU and Browne Jacobson on The Changing Role of the Monitoring Officer; and Grant Thornton, SOLACE and CIPFA on Learning Lessons from Public Interest Reports. Both of these reports will drive policy and process change. We are currently finalising the Code of Practice for Statutory Officers with CIPFA and SOLACE. We relaunched our regional programme, and have made plans to extend that community feel to more local events. I’ve been to so many wonderful conferences as a panellist and speaker to spread our message. 

We all need to tell our stories and feel the support of our peers, and I’ve appreciated you sharing both your joy, your problems, and your successes over my year presidential year"

Rachel will remain on the LLG Board in an advisory capacity as the Past President for another year. 

Other appointments made at the board were as follows:-

Paul Turner as Vice-President

Helen Bradley as Deputy Vice President

Emma Duncan as the Eastern Regional Director

John Purvis as the Northern Regional Director

Kelly Byrne as the Welsh Regional Director

Anita Bradley as the Southern Regional Director

Fiona Anthony as the Training Director

Jordan Hulse as the Junior Director

Jessica Lishman as the Junior National Lead

Sarah Harriott as the National Lead Director. 

Helen Bradley as the MO & Governance National Lead Director. 

Manisha Patel as the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Director 

The following Directors continue on the Board in the fixed term position for a further year: -

Patricia Narebor as the London Regional Director

Nichola Vine as the Midlands Regional Director

Deborah Evans as remains a Board Director by virtue of her appointment as CEO. 

The Board noted the retirement of the following Directors with immense  thanks for their contributions: -

Kieran McGaughey

Rochelle Tapping

Jennifer Phillips