Issue - meetings

The Chairman welcomed Ms. Allie Jones, Cluster Manager (East Worcestershire) Extended Services, Worcestershire County Council, who confirmed that she had been involved in the Task Group and her team would be happy to working in partnership with the Council and co-ordinate the work required under recommendations 8 and 9.

Councillor L. J. Turner, the Chairman of the Community Involvement in Local Democracy Task Group presented the draft report to the Board setting out the aims and objectives of the Task Group, evidence and witnesses and topics covered by the recommendations.  The Chairman of the Task Group informed Members that the over all financial cost of implementation of the recommendations had been kept to a minimum.  The Chairman of the Task Group responded to questions from Members.  It was also highlighted that, together with the 16 recommendations, the Task Group had included within the report suggested improvements that could be made to enhance the recommendations further.  The Task Group had recommended that a steering group be set up in order to ensure the implementation of the recommendations throughout the year and to maintain the momentum in involving the community in local democracy.

After lengthy discussion, Members agreed that the suggestion for procedures to be considered to allow members of the public to participate at committee meetings, paragraph 4.6 of the report, should be emphasised. 

The Board thanked the Task Group Chairman, Members and Scrutiny Officer for producing an excellent report, covering this extensive subject in such a short period of time. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       that subject to the minor amendments, requested during the meeting, the report and recommendations be approved; and

(b)       that the report be submitted to Cabinet for approval of the report                       recommendations.