An introduction to Community Forums
Further information on each community forum is available
at www.nsp.org.uk/communityforums.
The new unitary council, Northumberland County Council has the
opportunity to step back and re-assess how residents can have a
real say in making Northumberland and even better place to live and
work. Community forums will be set up in various localities across
Northumberland to get together and discuss local issues.
What is a forum?
- It is a gathering of people and
organisations who are willing to work together to improve the
quality of life in their towns, villages and neighbourhoods, for
the good of all residents.
- Forum work is an attempt to link the views
and ideas of local people with the decision-making processes of the
local authority, parish and town councils and those involved
in delivering services.
What might a forum look like?
It could look like a group of people, individuals, members of
voluntary and community groups and parish and unitary councillors
meeting around the table to talk, or it could take the form of a
gathering in the park or particular housing estate if the issue is
particularly relevant to the local people there.
There is no fixed definition of what a forum is or should be,
but there are a number of features that community forums in
Northumberland will have in common.
Distinguishing features of a
forum
- They are open to involvement by all
organisations and individuals who has an interest in the future
well being of that locality
- All participants in forum
activities/meetings have the same rights to give their views and to
be heard
- Each forum will have a chair. As
well as chairing meetings of the forum, the chair or his/her deputy
will represent the forum on the Northumberland Strategic
Partnership’s Area Partnership.
- Each forum will develop ways of
communicating with and involving the residents of their
locality.
- Forums will add value to the work of
democratically elected representatives by helping them to be fully
informed about the issues in their areas.
Forums are not
- A substitute for parish councils
- Exclusive to particular groups of
residents
- Hindered by geography – forums are able to
work together across localities on issues that effect more than one
forum area
What are the benefits of this way of working
for people living and working in Northumberland?
- It allows one council to be better informed
about the issues for the different communities of
Northumberland.
- The wider community can come together to share local knowledge
and concerns and meet with Northumberland County Council and other
service providers to work together to tackle local issues and
suggest solutions
- It will provide another way in which communities can
communicate with the unitary council
Facilitation
Organisations are currently being identified
in each locality that are capable of hosting community forums.
These might be a local development trust, parish council or local
partnership.
Further information
For more information on how you might get
involved in community forums, or any further details, email
locality.development@northumberland.gov.uk
or contact:
North Area:
- Kevin Bartlett: Tel 01670 534 118, Email Kevin.Bartlett01@northumberland.gov.uk
- John Cooper: Tel 01670 534 279 / 01665 511
216, Email John.Cooper@northumberland.gov.uk
West Area:
- Richard Powell: Tel 01670 534 115 / 01434
652 336, Email Richard.Powell@northumberland.gov.uk
- Susi Goncu: Tel 01670 534 264, Email
Susi.Goncu@northumberland.gov.uk
South East Area:
- Lynda Fakir: Tel 01670 533 658, Email
Lynda.Fakir@northumberland.gov.uk
- Susi Goncu: Tel 01670 534 264, Email
Susi.Goncu@northumberland.gov.uk
Further information on each community forum is available
at www.nsp.org.uk/communityforums
