How We Are Governed

We are a politically-led cross-party organisation representing local government in the East of England

How We're Governed

The organisation is governed by the full Assembly of Leaders and elected Mayors of the 50 councils in the region, which meets twice a year, and the EELGA Management Committee which meets quarterly.

The Assembly

The Assembly is responsible for:

  • Appointing the Chair and Vice Chair
  • Approving the annual report of accounts
  • Agreeing on the subscription rates
  • Affirming the Association's work programme and any other business

Management Committee

The Management Committee provides the Association's strategic direction and oversees the work programme agreed by the Assembly.

The members of the Management Committee are:

  • The Chair and Vice Chair
  • One nominee from each recognised political group within the Assembly
  • The Chairs of the Panels (on a non-voting basis)
  • The Lead Chief Executive (on a non-voting basis)

Read our Business Plan for 2024 - 2025 here.

Read our Constitution here.

Read our Annual Report 2022/23 here.

  • Graham Butland

    Graham Butland

    Chair of EELGA and Chair of Infrastructure and Growth Panel
    View profile
  • Stephen Robinson

    Stephen Robinson

    Co Vice Chair of EELGA
    View profile
  • Hazel Simmons

    Co Vice Chair of EELGA
    View profile
  • Dan Gascoyne

    Lead Chief Executive for EELGA
    View profile
  • Andrew Mellen

    Green Party Representative
    View profile
  • Richard Roberts

    Conservative Representative
    View profile
  • Richard Siddall

    Independent Representative
    View profile
  • Jacqui Taylor

    Liberal Democrat Representative and Chair of Improving Outcomes for People and Communities Panel
    View profile
  • Cliff Waterman

    Chair of the Local Government Employers Panel and Labour Group Representative
    View profile

Local Government Employers Panel (LGEP)

The panel provides the EELGA with direction and constitutional support on regional and national:

  • Workforce matters
  • Skills development
  • Early careers options

As an Employers' Organisation, regulated by the Certification Officer, the LGEP is responsible for representing the interests of member authorities as employers.

Throughout 2023/24, the panels Forward Work Programme will guide and support councils' workforce priorities.

Regional Joint Council


The Regional Joint Council (RJC), in conjunction with LGEP, comprises of elected LGEP members and trade union representatives from UNISON, Unite and GMB.

The forum discusses ongoing regional pay negotiations and joint secretarial guidance.

The RJC Chair is alternated each year, allowing both LGEP and the trade union side the opportunity to lead the meeting.

Infrastructure and Growth Panel


The panel provides EELGA with direction and constitutional support on their work for physical and digital infrastructure and inclusive economic growth.

In 2022/23, the panel led and influenced several successful pieces of work in the East of England, including:

Panel members regularly hear from inspiring guest speakers and promote good practices across the region.

In 2023-24, the panel will focus on the following:

  • Skills
  • Housing and Planning
  • Transport and Connectivity
  • Inclusive Economic Growth

Improving Outcomes for People and Communities Panel

 

The panel provides EELGA with direction and constitutional support on their work for people and community focussed services.

In 2022/23, the panel led and influenced several successful pieces of work in the East of England, including:

  • Steering EELGA's advocacy activity in health, care, housing, and leisure services.
  • Gaining insights into collaborative work across the education, health and care sectors from Suffolk's Health and Wellbeing Quarter.
  • Housing and homelessness meetings with involvement from Build East (the partnership of Housing Associations in the region).

Panel members regularly hear from inspiring guest speakers and promote good practices across the region.

In 2023-24, the panel will focus on the following:

  • The role and voice of local authorities in Integrated Care Systems
  • The role of prevention, leisure and wellbeing in addressing healthy and sustainable communities
  • Cost of living, fuel and food insecurity
  • The impact of housing on health inequalities