113.Section 30(1) specifies certain individuals or organisations that public services boards must invite to participate in the activities of the board. These are individuals or organisations whose contribution to the work of the board is considered valuable but on whom it is either not possible or not desirable to impose a duty. Section 31(1) provides that these invitations must be issued as soon as reasonably practicable:
after the first meeting of a public services board following its initial establishment; and then
after the board’s first meeting following an ordinary election, as defined in section 26 of the Local Government Act 1972.
114.The board may also invite any other person they consider appropriate, subject to that person exercising functions of a public nature. They may, however, also exercise other functions.
115.Any individual or organisation who accepts an invitation to participate on the board is considered to be an ‘invited participant’ and does not become a member of the board. Participating in the activity of the board means working jointly with the board, any member of it or any other person who accepts an invitation under section 30 to pursue the local aim. Under section 30(4) ‘working jointly’ includes:
providing the board with their views on the content of their assessment of local well-being or their local well-being plan;
taking part in meetings of the board (which can include, following the invitation of the members of the Board and subject to paragraphs 2(1) and 3(1) of Schedule 3, chairing meetings of the Board) ; or
providing other advice and assistance to the board (this does not, however, include providing financial assistance).
116.An invited participant may participate in the activity of the board from the day on which the board receives their acceptance of the invitation until the date of the next ordinary election, as defined in section 26 of the Local Government Act 1972.