Local forums are in line to be revamped
PUBLIC meetings which encourage members of the community to raise concerns with councillors will be revamped.
Local forums were set up to give the public the chance to speak to county, district and parish councillors about local issues. People can also be co-opted onto the forums.
Now their format is being reviewed by South Kesteven District Council to improve participation.
At the Bourne Local Forum on Thursday last week at the Corn Exchange, district council strategic director Ian Yates spoke about the possible changes.
He said plans for the future included improving advertising and promotion of meetings as well as making sure forums were fit for purpose and encouraged participation by not being too formal.
He said: "We are now looking at forum attendance, topics and frequency to assess their effectiveness as a means of engagement.
"This all needs to be considered alongside the developing Government agenda on public participation.
"Once we have this information we will be in a better position to feed back on options for the future
"This is an ongoing process. Bear with us and see what happens."
Earlier this year the district council and Lincolnshire County Council with other agencies held half day workshops to evaluate how the forums worked and look at ways to enhance community engagement.
Co-opted forum member Julia Lister was at the meeting last week and agreed with Mr Yates' comment about making sure presentations were easily communicated to members of the community.
She said: "Everyone just wants a simple message that people can understand."
Forum chairman Ray Auger (Con), a South Kesteven district councillor, added: "The whole topic of local forums is being looked at in its total entity. There has been a review and it is ongoing."
The date and place of the next meeting was not confirmed, although it will take place in about six months' time during January next year.
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Weather for Stamford
Monday 06 February 2012
Today
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