ICON was launched in September and brings together a range of commissioners from different backgrounds:
- Baroness Hilary Armstrong of Hill Top – former Cabinet minister & minister for social exclusion
- Kim McGuiness – mayor of the North East of England
- Heather Iqbal – specialist partner, Flint Global & former political advisor to Rachel Reeves
- Professor David Halpern CBE
- Danielle Walker Palmour – director of Friends Provident Foundation
- Moria Wallace OBE
- Alun Francis OBE – chair, Social Mobility Commission
- Angie Wright – chief officer, B Inspired
- Jon Rouse CBE – chief executive, Stoke-on-Trent Council
- Matt Leach – chief executive, Local Trust
The Commissioners discussed the purpose and objectives of the Commission, updates from the meetings of its advisory groups, its workplan and operational delivery and the initial research commissioned to inform its work.
There was agreement that given the challenges facing the most deprived neighbourhoods that there is an urgent need for the Commission’s work. The Commissioners further noted that with a new government with an ambitious policy agenda that there were plenty of opportunities to embed neighbourhood thinking into the government’s emerging policy agenda.
The Commissioners have agreed to a range of visits and evidence sessions around the country to ensure that the voice of local communities is put at the heart of all the Commission’s work. If you’d like to host a visit by the Commission, then do please contact us at: info@neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk.
The Commission’s call for evidence is ongoing until the end of the year, and evidence can be submitted via our online form.
The Commission will be regularly meeting through the duration of its activities, if you’d like to find out more information about the Commission, continue to check our website for further updates.