About Portfolio-Holder Networks

Through the Association's Assembly, Council Leaders resolved to establish a series of networks for councils portfolio-holders around a small number of key priority areas.

These networks aim to:

  • give councils in the East of England a collective voice in response to consultations and lobbying activity;
  • provide a forum for discussion on matters of common concern and share best practice; and,
  • provide the means by which the East of England contributes to the work of the national LGA and makes best use of its members' outside appointments.
The networks being established include:

Network Theme
Lead Authority
Adult Social Care and Health
Suffolk County Council
Economic Development
Hertfordshire County Council
Education and Children's Services
Cambridgeshire County Council
Environment and Waste
Peterborough City Council
Housing
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
Planning
Colchester/Ipswich Borough Council
Resources
tbc

Leaders have been clear that the networks will be self-supporting and have no additional costs for member authorities. It is crucial to emphasise:

  • The voluntary nature of the networks, which are open to all councils through their membership of the Association.  
  • That each network is free to develop its own working arrangements according to the needs of member councils. This means that will be variation across the networks.  
  • That networks should work together where there are benefits of a joint approach (e.g. housing and adult social care or economic development and planning)
    If you would like further information please get in touch with the strategic support team.

    Details of the network events are published on the network pages or use the links above to get to a particular network.