Council

The Council is the guardian of the Landscape Institute’s Charter and of its long-term objectives. The following is a list of those elected in July 2009. Full details of their role and responsibilities are set out below. The Council is responsible for selecting, through the Appointments and Selection Committee, candidates for the Board of Trustees.

Members of the Council

President Jo Watkins
Immediate Past President Neil Williamson
Vice-president Brodie McAllister
Honorary Secretary Susan Illman
Honorary Treasurer Colin Goodrum
Corporate member Brian Clouston
Corporate member Tony Edwards
Corporate member Elizabeth Ford
Corporate member Martin Kelly
Corporate member John Stuart-Murray
Corporate member Ian Phillips
Licentiate members Kate Dundas
Licentiate members Clare Michael
Student member Amanda McDermott
East of England branch representative Caroline Göhler
East Midlands branch representative Chris Frost
London branch representative Tim Spain
Midlands branch representative Steve Fancourt
North East branch representative Vacant
North West branch representative Penny Beckett
Northern Ireland branch representative Peter Hutchinson
South East branch representative Helen Tranter
Wales branch representative Lee Jones
Yorkshire & Humberside branch representative William Blackledge
South West branch representative Vivienne Berry
Scotland branch representative James Spence Watson
Policy committee representative Annie Coombs
Technical committee representative Colin Moore
Education & membership committee Nick Harrison

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Ensuring accountability by:

Monitoring the fulfilment by the Institute of its objects as set out in the Charter
Appointing, through the Appointments and Selection Committee, the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary of the Institute
Selecting, through the Appointments and Selection Committee, candidates for the Board of Trustees
Monitoring the performance of the Board of Trustees and holding it to account in its control and management of the administration of the Trust
If necessary, removing members of the Board of Trustees in accordance with the procedures set out in the Regulations.
Appointing the chair of the Appointments and Selection Committee
Overseeing the work of the Appointments and Selection Committee which has delegated responsibility for election/selection of Trustees, Council members and Committee Chairs and members.
Reporting annual to members of the Institute on the Council’s activities
Commenting on proposals from the Board of Trustees on the alteration of the Institute’s Regulations

2. Holding the Board to account by:

Annual review. Each year the Board will present to Council an annual review of its work over the Institute’s year – its successes, challenges and failures. All members of the Board will be invited to attend this session. The Board’s presentation will be supported by the Institute’s Annual Report (or draft) and a paper specially prepared for the Council. Council members will have the opportunity of asking Board members questions about the presentation. The discussion will normally take place at the July meeting of Council.
Future plans. Each year the Board will present to the Council its future plans for the following year(s). The nature and format of this presentation is not prescribed since it will depend on where the Institute has reached in its strategic cycle. The Board’s presentation will be supported by a paper from the Board circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.

3. Shaping Policy development by:

Receiving once a year and discussing reports from the Board on:
- the performance of the Institute over the previous year against budget and key priorities
- the budget and key priorities of the Institute for the year ahead
- the Institute’s strategy for the next 3-5 years
Drawing on an understanding of the current and future needs of the Landscape Institute’s beneficiaries, including members and the wider public, in order to debate, influence and challenge strategy and direction
Debating important points of strategy or principle to provide guidance and perspective to the Board of Trustees
Raising issues of concern for the Board of Trustees to pursue
Making the best use of its collective understanding of the issues which the Institute faces by providing a reference point and sounding board to help the Board of Trustees develop proposals and policies

4. Inspiring Support by:

Acting as advocates of the Institute among members, a broad range of stakeholder organisations and the wider public.

Day to day management of the organisation is provided by a staff team largely based at Head Office.