10.02.15
Councillors selected to represent UK local government in EU
A delegation of 48 politicians from across the UK has been formally appointed to the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) – the EU’s political assembly of local and regional authorities.
Proposed by the UK government, and approved by the Council of the EU, the members will join national delegations from all EU member states.
Established since 1994 to allow Europe's local and regional governments to have a voice within the EU, the 350-strong CoR assembly gathers in Brussels a few times a year to discuss political priorities and adopt opinions on EU legislation.
The new UK delegation – made up of 24 full and 24 alternates – met for the first time last month, and will meet again on 11 February during the first plenary session of the new CoRs' mandate where all members will also elect a President and First Vice-President of the assembly.
Cllr Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council and recently elected Leader of the UK delegation to the CoR, said: “We well understand the need for UK local councils and devolved bodies to engage with EU policy-makers and decision-takers. We want to shape EU initiatives to help regenerate our local economies and strengthen our communities, whilst respecting all sectors of society and protecting our environment.
“At the same time we continue to scrutinise new laws to ensure that they are fit for purpose and do not impose unnecessary burdens on those who have to implement them.”
Birmingham City Council leader Sir Albert Bore has once again been appointed to the CoR - meaning he will have been a member for 26 years when his term ends in 2020.
The full UK delegates list is available at: http://cor.europa.eu/en/regions/pages/country.aspx?Country=United%20Kingdom&MemberList=Member
(Image: Cllr Paul Watson)
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]