Decision details

19.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance and the Assistant Director (Communities) (copy appended to the signed minutes) on a review County Local Forums (CLFs), following a one-year trial. The Head of Democratic Services commented that the date of 2022 in the summary and paragraph 1.3 of the report should read 2021.

19.2     Members were supportive of the proposals to cease CLFs and were of the view that they had not worked that well, tending to be dominated by highways issues. Attendance had not been high, for some districts the geographic area covered had been difficult and the issues raised by the public were generally already known to the Council. In summary, members felt there were better ways for them to engage with residents. The proposals to support members to use other channels to engage with their residents (as set out in the report at paragraph 2.2) were endorsed.

19.3     Rather than member engagement, there was a consensus that the real issue was that a significant percentage of residents did not know which services the County Council delivered. Helping residents to understand and engage with a large organisation like the County Council was important, particularly given the confusion that often arose between the responsibilities of different levels of local government. The Leader commented that this was being picked up by the new Head of Communications as part of work on the corporate communications strategy.

19.4     Given that the majority of issues raised with members related to highways matters, members suggested that there should be a mechanism for a regular highways status report to local members to keep them informed and enable them to update their residents and community groups. It was agreed that a report would be brought to the Committee on possible options for this.

19.5     Resolved – That the County Council in October be recommended to approve:

(1)        That CLFs be ceased, making savings through a reduction in staff posts and members supported to use other channels to engage with their residents (as set out in paragraph 2.2 of the report); and

(2)        That a report be brought to the Committee on options for briefing local members on highways matters.