Issue - meetings

To invite Councillors to consider future options for engaging residents on issues of local concern.

Members were informed that for many years the Council had operated a community engagement system called Community Action Teams (CATs). Originally there was one in each ward in the Borough, and a number of dedicated officers within the Community Development team supported community engagement work. Capital budgets were available and improvement plans were developed for implementation in areas to respond to ideas put forward by the public. Police representatives or Community Support Officers would regularly attend the meetings.

There is a need to review the operation and support of CAT meetings. The Community Development team is over committed in time and capacity so if CATs were to continue, more resource would be necessary to maintain this system. Resident engagement is more important than it has ever been. However, it was considered the current system was no longer considered fit for purpose in its existing form.

RESOLVED that:

1.            Each Councillor be allocated a budget of £200 to support community engagement by Councillors in the form of local surgeries. Using this option Councillors could if they wish continue with their CAT meetings and use the money for room hire or to pay a small amount to a minute taker.

2.            The Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to review the new process in six months.

Reason

This will assist with the Council’s corporate value of having a strong, caring focus on the needs of all communities.

Options Considered and Rejected

1.    Maintain the current system of CATs and request that the Chief Executive bring forward a report on the additional resources required to support this.

2.    Decide that there is no longer a need for CATs in the light of changing ways of engaging residents.