Report on Community Assemblies and Community Working

Report Of The Assistant Chief Executive, Legal And Governance to Cabinet on 23 July, 2008        

 

At its meeting on 23rd July, 2008, the Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive on proposals to introduce Community Assemblies to replace the Area Panels.

 

In accordance with the arrangements approved by the Council at its meeting on 5th April, 2000, the report, together with a recommendation of the Cabinet thereon, as set out below, is referred to the City Council for consideration:-

 

 

The Chief Executive submitted a report containing proposals to implement a project to replace the Council's existing Area Panels with seven Community Assemblies led by local Councillors and which will, over the next two years, agree community plans that reflect their priorities, agree delivery targets with communities and commission local services to deliver improved performance.

 

The report provided details of the main outcomes aimed to be achieved in creating these new Community Assemblies, outlined the key features of the Assemblies, detailed the key work-streams required to deliver the Project, namely governance arrangements, human resources, commissioning of services, community empowerment and engagement, planning and performance management, communication and finance, and set out the project management arrangements proposed to be put in place to ensure that the Community Assemblies were operational by May, 2009.

 

RESOLVED: That (a) approval be given for work to be undertaken to establish new governance structures for the Council that will replace the current twelve Area Panels with seven new Community Assemblies;

 

(b) the approach and issues identified within the report now submitted, as providing the framework within which the detailed work on establishing Community Assemblies will be taken forward, be approved;

 

(c) the project management arrangements outlined in the report be noted and supported;

 

(d) Officers be required to ensure that progress on project development and implementation is regularly reported to Elected Members; and

 

(e) it be noted that a further report recommending changes to the Council's Constitution would be submitted to the Cabinet and Council when the proposals are fully developed.

 

(NOTE: 1. This item is referred for approval by the City Council and cannot, therefore, be called-in for scrutiny; and

 

2. The report on Community Assemblies and Community Working is circulated to all Council Members with the Council Summons.)

 

 

Liz Bashforth

Assistant Chief Executive,

Legal and Governance