Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being).

Noted the report of the Neighbourhood Forum Working Group and endorsed the proposed boundaries, composition, voting and constitution for Local Joint Committees as a basis for consultation with Town and Parish Councils.

(Councillor S Criswell, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) was in attendance and spoke on this item).

A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised progress to date of a study by the Panel on the impact and operation of the Neighbourhood Forums since their introduction in January 2010, together with recommendations for taking them forward as part of the proposed Local Joint Committees (LJC’s) in Huntingdonshire.

In discussing the Panel’s recommendations, Executive Councillors’ attention was drawn to a variety of issues relating to boundary areas, elected Member representation, constitutional terms for LJC’s, voting and decision making.  In so doing, reference was made of the importance of a balanced representation, involving Town and Parish Councils and the need for Senior Member attendance at the proposed LJC’s from both the District and County Councils.  Having thanked the Panel for producing a thorough and comprehensive report, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the report of the Neighbourhood Forum Working Group be noted and the proposed boundaries, composition, voting and constitution for Local Joint Committees endorsed as a basis for consultation with Town and Parish Councils.