Agenda item

9.1

Further to a presentation to the Community Assembly at its meeting held on 24January 2013, on the proposed Ward based structures that would replace Community Assemblies, Vince Roberts, Head of Locality Management gave an update on the Council’s proposals for the Ward based structures.  He reminded the meeting that the achievements of the Assembly mentioned by Tammy in her presentation, had been realised by the energy/commitment of officers, partner agencies, elected members and advocates and interested people from the community and reassured the meeting that locality working was not going away. He stated that a lot had been learnt through the Assembly working and that, whilst there would be a reduced budget for local working in the future, people could still build on what has been achieved by working together within the proposed new structure.

9.2

Vince informed the meeting that over 300 people responded to the first round of consultation on the proposed Ward based structures and that, following the responses received there would be further opportunity for people to give their views on-line, in writing and by telephone, to allow officers and elected Members to understand people’s thoughts on proposals to replace Community Assemblies at a local and city wide level. He concluded by asking that people engaged and participated in the forthcoming consultation.

9.3

Public Questions

9.3.1

In response to concerns raised over interim measures prior to the proposed local Ward based structure being put in place, maintaining contact with the Assembly link officers and the future of 20 MPH Zones, Vince Roberts advised that, whilst consultation was being undertaken on the future structure, the existing officers and Members would still be working and taking forward the priorities for the area and that there would be a handover when the new structure was agreed.  He reminded the meeting though that there would be less funding and that officer resources would have to be prioritised.  In respect of link officers, he stated that they would still be available to contact for issues in the area and that he would clarify how the 20 MPH Zones would be taken forward.

9.3.2

In respect of questions raised over the next round of consultation, it was stated that consultation on the proposed framework would be advertised through the Assembly mailing lists, blogs, press releases and through contact organisations and that it was intended to commence the consultation after Easter.  It was also confirmed that the consultation would be open to everyone wanting to participate.

9.3.3

Comments were also received from the public and Members, which included in summary:-

• Concern that the information now received over further consultation  hadn’t been mentioned before and that there was a need to ensure people were involved.
• The need to continue with the success of small scale schemes which made a difference in the area and the effective working with link officers.  In particular, concern was raised over the closure of the Totley Citizens Advice Bureau located at Totley Church and a request that this be looked at further so it could be retained as a valuable community resource.
• That the initial consultation didn’t allow time for individuals and groups, in particular, to meet to discuss the proposals.  Also, that the consultation to be undertaken after Easter on a proposed framework, was not starting from a blank sheet of paper to allow the grass roots to put forward their own ideas. It was believed that the Council knew what it wanted to replace Community Assemblies and that the consultation would be to receive a response from the community on its proposals.
• The Assembly covered 4 Wards through one meeting and that the new proposed structure, it was perceived, would increase the number of meetings leading to a waste of resources.  Officers were thanked for their information and that it was hoped the proposals, now mentioned, could be built upon.
• That the Councillors would have a larger role in future following the change in structure and that there would be a need for the public to raise the issues they had with them and to work closely together for the benefit of their area.  Tammy Barrass was thanked for the support she had given as the Community Assembly Manager.
• That the existing Partner Panel needed to continue for the benefit of service delivery across the area.
• That the Assemblies provided an opportunity not just for regular meeting attendees, but also for people who wanted to come to a Council meeting to express a view to officers and Members, which they may not have normally done by having to attend a decision making meeting at the Town Hall.  It also gave the opportunity for a wide range of officers to inform Members and the public what was happening in their area.
• That the Assembly Officers had acted professionally and calmly and were thanked for their assistance.  It was also mentioned that, in place of the Assembly  making decisions on local highway schemes in their area, that the Council when deciding which schemes to fund in the future, it ensures there would be an equality of scoring for the scheme requests across the City.

9.3.4

Councillor Geoff Smith, Chair of the Locality Working Task Group responded by informing the meeting that there would be a proposed framework to be consulted on after Easter and that the period of consultation would be longer than the previous three week consultation undertaken, to allow more people to comment on the framework.  He reminded the meeting that, whilst acknowledging the achievements of the Assembly, there would be a lot less money available to spend in the immediate future and that there would be a greater focus on each individual Ward across the City.  He further stated that whilst the Community Assemblies worked well, they did not engage with enough people and that arrangements would continue to be in place to ensure area partnership working.

9.3.5

Vince Roberts reflected on the issues people had raised which included:-

• The importance of officer contacts to assist the public if they have a problem.
• The importance of resources to do the small things that make a big difference locally.
• Not to implement a system that is beauracratic and difficult for people to navigate, in particular, replacing one Assembly meeting with 4 Ward meetings.
• The importance of public, voluntary and private sector working together in partnership.
• The importance of the dedication of people in the new structure, ensuring the right people in the right roles.

He concluded by advising that the Council genuinely wanted to hear the public’s views on the proposed framework.

9.3.6

Councillor Andrew Sangar concluded the meeting by stating that he had enjoyed chairing the Community Assembly meetings and that a lot had been achieved over last four years in the South West area and across the city as a whole by all the Assemblies.  He added that clearly there would be change in the operational structure with less funding, but that there was a need to move forward reaching out to communities and working with community groups.  He further stated that the Council had been on a journey in respect of area working since 1996 and a lot had been learnt.  Encouragement was given to the public to keep talking and working with the Council, to maximise what can be achieved in the future for communities through the proposed local Ward structure.