Issue - items at meetings - Community & Neighbourhood Engagement Update

Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached).

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the update be noted.

(2)         That it be noted that the first meeting of the cross party working group was held on 29 June 2010.

10.1               The Committee considered a report of the Director of Strategy & Governance updating Members on the progress of the Strengthening Communities Review.

10.2               Councillor Mears commended the officers working on the review for the in-depth work carried out and the extensive consultation and community engagement undertaken.

10.3               CouncillorSimson reported that only two Members attended the first meeting of the cross-party working group set up to ensure Member involvement in the review and requested that the Members Advisory Group (MAG) be used instead as they possessed the necessary expertise.

10.4               Councillor Mitchell welcomed the development of Equalities Impact Assessments and suggested that updates be given at the Overview & Scrutiny Commission where updates on equalities issues are regularly reported. She explained that the Labour Group did not send a representative to the first meeting of the cross-party working group because only one date was proposed and no Members were available. She added that she would want to speak to her Group’s MAG representative before agreeing to use that body to work on the review.

10.5               The Chairman advised that as the Committee had taken the decision to establish the cross-party working group consideration would need to be given as to how to reverse that decision. He requested that Group Leaders speak with their MAG representatives and report back on whether they would be happy to take part in the review.

10.6               The Director of Strategy & Governance confirmed that, until a decision could be made, the cross-party working group would continue to meet and MAG would be used in parallel.

10.7               RESOLVED –

(1)         That the update be noted.

(2)         That it be noted that the first meeting of the cross party working group was held on 29 June 2010.