Purpose

On 12 March 2025, the Government published its “Plan for Neighbourhoods: Neighbourhood Boards and place boundaries” guidance. As the title indicates, it provides the guidance in respect of Neighbourhood Boards (of which Clacton Town Board is the designated Board). Specifically, and as far as relevance to this decision, the guidance references the approach to be taken in relation to the appointment of Board Chairs and Deputy Chairs. This guidance has been followed. The guidance is available online at:
Plan for Neighbourhoods: governance and boundary guidance - GOV.UK
Based on the decision referred to in the “Authority for Delegated Decision” section above, the initial term of office for the Chair of the Board came to an end in March 2025. The Local Authority consulted with the Local MP, Nigel Farage MP, (as required by the stated guidance) regarding re-appointing George Kieffer as the Board’s independent Chair for a further year.
This decision also addresses the expressed wish of the independent Chair of the Clacton Town Board for a Deputy Chair to be appointed and for the appointee to be Cllr Mark Stephenson. The stated guidance sets out that the decision on this matter is for the Council and the Chair of the Board in partnership.
In respect of the above, Clacton Town Board on 20 March had been advised of the stated guidance, the intention of the Council to consult the local MP on the re-appointment of George Kieffer as the independent Chair of the Board and the Chair’s wish to have a Deputy Chair in the person of Cllr M Stephenson.
The Board received the stated guidance and expressed its support for the actions referred to.

Decision

In accordance with the Government’s “Plan for Neighbourhoods: Neighbourhood Boards and place boundaries” guidance published on 12 March 2025, and following consideration of these matters by the Clacton Town Board on 20 March 2025:
(a)To re-appoint George Kieffer as Chair of the Clacton Town Board for a further year (having consulted with, and received the support of, Nigel Farage MP as the local Member of Parliament); and
(b)To appoint, in partnership with the Chair of the Clacton Town Board, Cllr. M Stephenson as Deputy Chair of the Board.

Alternative options considered

To not re-appoint the current Chair and open the position up for recruitment. The current Chair has successfully steered the Board from its initial formation to its mature position now. This was not pursued given the success of the Chair, the expressed wish of the Board and the MP to support George Kieffer’s reappointment.
There is a business advantage for the Clacton Town Board to have a Deputy Chair to support the Chair and therefore the Council did not support declining the expressed wish of the Chair for a Deputy (and the named person for this role).