Councillor 'Champions'

Some Councillors have a 'Champion' role where they work to highlight issues and seek progress on a variety of matters.

Appointed Champions:

Armed Forces Champion: Councillor Andrew Fowler

In his role as Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Fowler:

Assists the Leader by advising on issues which support and improve access to services for ex-service men and women in the Borough.

Acts as a Spokesperson to promote the positive aspects of the Council’s work with the armed forces.

Forges and maintains links locally with armed forces networks.

Represents the Council on the West Lancashire Community Covenant Working Group.

Dementia Champion: Councillor Gareth Dowling

The Dementia Champion is responsible for promoting awareness of and community support for those living with Dementia and their carers, and supporting the West Lancashire Dementia Friendly Community. This role is undertaken in close collaboration with the Portfolio Holders for Communities, and Health and Wellbeing.

Food Security Champion: Councillor Gareth Dowling

The Food Security Champion provides political leadership at both a local and national level, to tackle food insecurity and food poverty within the borough. This role is undertaken in close collaboration with the Portfolio Holders for Communities, and Health and Wellbeing.

Older People’s Champion: Councillor Terry Aldridge

Councillor Aldridge's role is to:

Assist the Leader and the relevant Portfolio Holder for Housing Landlord Services and Community Safety by advising on service issues which support and encourage active, independent and healthy lives for older people and to raise the profile of older people and their needs in the development of policy across all areas of the Council.

Act as a Spokesperson to promote the positive aspects of the Council's work with Older People.

Encourage Older People to play a fuller role in shaping the policies of the Council and in designing its service.

Work to promote positive images of Older People as citizens, and to combat stereotyping and age discrimination.

Forge and maintaining links locally with Older People's Networks.

Preparing an annual programme of work and reporting on progress annually to Cabinet.

This Role Definition has been recommended and supported by the Local Authority elected Member Older People's Champion North West Network.

The Corporate Director of Place and Community awards grants under the Older People’s Grant Scheme, in consultation with the Champion for Older People.

Youth Champion:Councillor Carl Coughlan

Councillor Coughlan's role is to:

Assist the Leader and relevant Portfolio Holder to examine how all local provision (not just youth services) supports young people, identifying the outcomes that matter most to young people and working with partners to find ways to deliver these.

Encourage Younger People to play a fuller role in shaping the policies of the Council and in designing its services.

Consult with young people and our partners, including the local voluntary and community sector, faith groups, schools and employers, to involve children and young people in decisions that affect them or in matters which may have an impact on their lives.

Act as spokesperson to promote the positive aspects of the Council's formal Partnership with the local Youth Service.

Work to promote positive images of Younger People as citizens.