Agenda item

Discussion item to ask how the LAC can look to improve communication and relationship where possible between NCC and the town and parish councils.

This item was to ask how the LAC could look to improve communication and relationship where possible between NCC and the town and parish council. 

Bob Baker, Clerk of Cramlington Town Council was in attendance and made the following comments: 

• There was difficulty understanding the role of the format of local area committees. 
• One of the key issues was local area committees did not have devolved powers and limited impact of influence. 
• The Terms of Reference referred to “regular liaison with town and parish councils”. 
• There  should be a regular arrangement with Clerks/Chairs to identify common problems. 
• Town and Parish Councils had a number of issues which could not be presented to the County Council and they should be consulted on budget priorities. 
• Local area committees should be able to scrutinise service standards and certain functions. 
• Previously, there had been one Senior Officer assigned to identify issues the local area committees covered and could put forward an independent view.  This could be something considering and assigning a person at Assistant Director level to champion the needs of the committee. 
• A strategic view should be taken as to how the local area committees can influence the Executive and ensure service standards were maintained. 

Rob Murfin, Director of Housing and Planning stated that as part of the LAC review, working with NALC, a survey had been carried out with parish and town councils, which had asked questions about the relationship.  From the results of the NALC survey, there had been no consensus.  Some of the smaller parish and town councils had wanted to be communicated via the local area committees. 

The Review report would be circulated to Parish and Town Clerks. 

An area of interest to the public was that if Local Area Committees had a more strategic local role, eg Neighbourhood Planning, Affordable Housing.  But the role for each local area committee, eg rural areas would not work here. 

Members raised the following: 

• As services had been reduced, there was no Senior Officer role and most issues raised could be done by email.  The best way forward would be by Championing. 
• It was not a one size fits all as each Local Area Committee would have different issues.
• The Terms of Reference gave the ability to shape and theme what the Local Area Committee did. 
• The Local Area meetings were not what they should be  and should include validity. 
• The LAC was not the best forum to discuss how to improve communication (with Town and Parish Councils) and workshops would be a better format.? 

(Councillor Chicken left the meeting at 6.47 pm). 

Mr Murfin stated that he would raise the suggestion of assigning officer support with the Executive.  However, there was no single approach as different areas would have different issues, eg, Leasehold issues in Cramlington and Holiday Homes in Berwick. 

With regard to legal issues, the main issue was Parish and Town Councils were 3^rd party.  Local Area Committees were not statutory consultees in licensing matters but could give their views. 

The Local Transport Programme which came to the LAC would change because of the way Highways Services were changing. 

(Councillor Bowman left the meeting at 6.49 pm). 

The LAC boundaries would be changed slightly.  If boundaries were too big or too small, it would be easier to attach some powers, but without it becoming distant from Parish and Town Councils and where they fitted. 

The Chair would raise the issues at the next LAC Chairs meeting. 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.