This Council notes that:

-         Neighbourhood Forums previously took place in each Trafford Locality. Neighbourhood Forums met on an ad-hoc basis and were convened for specific topics. They have also been used as a consultation vehicle, for example as part of the budget consultation.

-         Through Locality Working, Locality Partnerships were introduced which partly took on the role of the Neighbourhood Forums. Locality Partnerships were a group of local citizens, community groups, councillors, and staff who worked in organisations such as the Council, Police, leisure, housing and health, who came together to share information and ideas, build relationships and create change. The Locality Partnerships are no longer meeting, nor undertaking any of the functions that they were established for.

-         Community engagement at the Council is currently primarily undertaken by the Community Engagement Team, established under Covid-19 and is funded until March 2023, with discussions taking place regarding how to secure the future of the Team. The Inclusive Economy and Communities Team also undertake some community engagement but there is no scope within that Team to establish Neighbourhood Forums.

-         The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships has responsibility for promoting a neighbourhood and area focus across the Council and the Borough and for ensuring appropriate consultation with partners and the community on matters within the portfolio.

-         The ruling Labour Group 2018 manifesto on page 5 promised that “We will hold quarterly public meetings with the Council Executive at which members of the public can attend and ask questions and continue to explore better communication channels with the public.” Those meetings do not appear to be taking place currently.

-         The 2021 Trafford Labour manifesto on page 16 stated regarding the Climate Emergency that “…the Labour Group commits to convening a Trafford Citizen’s Assembly in this calendar year to involve and engage residents in the decisions we need to take to move forward with our green agenda.” A motion was passed at the December 2020 Council meeting and part of the resolution was “…to convene a Citizen’s Assembly within 12 months to inform decision making in this area and increase resident engagement and involvement in the fight against climate change.” It was announced at the October 2022 Council meeting that the Citizen’s Assembly will not be progressed, however.

This Council believes that:

-         Neighbourhood Forums can provide an opportunity for citizens to speak face-to-face with councillors and council officers. They can also provide an opportunity for citizens to be consulted in their local communities on new policy proposals.

-         With the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns, direct engagement between citizens and the council can and should take place on a more formalised basis as in the past.

This Council resolves:

That the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships brings a report to Executive, no later than the March 2023 Executive meeting, which sets out the options for engaging directly with citizens through a Neighbourhood Forum approach.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes that:

-       Neighbourhood Forums previously took place in each Trafford Locality. Neighbourhood Forums met on an ad-hoc basis and were convened for specific topics. They have also been used as a consultation vehicle, for example as part of the budget consultation.

-       Through Locality Working, Locality Partnerships were introduced which partly took on the role of the Neighbourhood Forums. Locality Partnerships were a group of local citizens, community groups, councillors, and staff who worked in organisations such as the Council, Police, leisure, housing and health, who came together to share information and ideas, build relationships and create change. The Locality Partnerships are no longer meeting, nor undertaking any of the functions that they were established for.

-       Community engagement at the council is currently primarily undertaken by the Community Engagement Team, established under Covid-19 and is funded until March 2023, with discussions taking place regarding how to secure the future of the Team. The Inclusive Economy and Communities Team also undertake some community engagement but there is no scope within that Team to establish Neighbourhood Forums.

-       The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships has responsibility for promoting a neighbourhood and area focus across the Council and the Borough and for ensuring appropriate consultation with partners and the community on matters within the portfolio.

-       The ruling Labour Group 2018 manifesto on page 5 promised that “We will hold quarterly public meetings with the Council Executive at which members of the public can attend and ask questions and continue to explore better communication channels with the public.” Those meetings do not appear to be taking place currently.

-       The 2021 Trafford Labour manifesto on page 16 stated regarding the Climate Emergency that “…the Labour Group commits to convening a Trafford Citizen’s Assembly in this calendar year to involve and engage residents in the decisions we need to take to move forward with our green agenda.” A motion was passed at the December 2020 Council meeting and part of the resolution was “…to convene a Citizen’s Assembly within 12 months to inform decision making in this area and increase resident engagement and involvement in the fight against climate change.” It was announced at the October 2022 Council meeting that the Citizen’s Assembly will not be progressed, however.

This Council believes that:

-       Neighbourhood Forums can provide an opportunity for citizens to speak face-to-face with councillors and council officers. They can also provide an opportunity for citizens to be consulted in their local communities on new policy proposals.

-       With the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns, direct engagement between citizens and the council can and should take place on a more formalised basis as in the past.

This Council resolves:

That the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships brings a report to Executive, no later than the March 2023 Executive meeting, which sets out the options for engaging directly with citizens through a Neighbourhood Forum approach.”

It was moved and seconded as an Amendment that:

“This Council notes that:

-       Neighbourhood Forums previously took place in each Trafford Locality. Neighbourhood Forums met on an ad-hoc basis and were convened for specific topics. They have also been used as a consultation vehicle, for example as part of the budget consultation.

-       Through Locality Working, Locality Partnerships were introduced which partly took on the role of the Neighbourhood Forums. Locality Partnerships were a group of local citizens, community groups, councillors, and staff who worked in organisations such as the Council, Police, leisure, housing and health, who came together to share information and ideas, build relationships and create change. The Locality Partnerships are no longer meeting, nor undertaking any of the functions that they were established for.

-       Community engagement at the council is currently primarily undertaken by the Community Engagement Team, established under Covid-19 and is funded until March 2023, with discussions taking place regarding how to secure the future of the Team. The Inclusive Economy and Communities Team also undertake some community engagement but there is no scope within that Team to establish Neighbourhood Forums.

-       The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships has responsibility for promoting a neighbourhood and area focus across the Council and the Borough and for ensuring appropriate consultation with partners and the community on matters within the portfolio.

-       The ruling Labour Group were instrumental in the establishment of the Community Hubs as a response to the global pandemic. The hubs are now considered a blue print for the way this council wants to work with communities. This Council has over the last year been engaging at a neighbourhood level on genuine and hyperlocal neighbourhood plans. These will be further co-produced with the communities and residents in that neighbourhood. This Council remains committed to involving its citizens to develop stronger communities.

-       The ruling Labour Group 2018 manifesto on page 5 promised that “We will hold quarterly public meetings with the Council Executive at which members of the public can attend and ask questions and continue to explore better communication channels with the public.” Those meetings do not appear to be taking place currently.

-       The 2021 Trafford Labour manifesto on page 16 stated regarding the Climate Emergency that “…the Labour Group commits to convening a Trafford Citizen’s Assembly in this calendar year to involve and engage residents in the decisions we need to take to move forward with our green agenda.” A motion was passed at the December 2020 Council meeting and part of the resolution was “…to convene a Citizen’s Assembly within 12 months to inform decision making in this area and increase resident engagement and involvement in the fight against climate change.” It was announced at the October 2022 Council meeting that the Citizen’s Assembly will not be progressed, however.

This Council believes that:

-       Neighbourhood Forums can provide an opportunity for citizens to speak face-to-face with councillors and council officers. They can also provide an opportunity for citizens to be consulted in their local communities on new policy proposals.

-       With the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns, direct engagement between citizens and the council can and should take place on a more formalised basis as in the past.

-       It is regretful that over a decade of austerity has put pressure on our ability to resource Neighbourhood Forums. However, this Council continues to seek innovative ways to work with residents.

This Council resolves:

That the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships brings a report to Executive, no later than the March October 2023 Executive meeting, which sets out the options for engaging directly with citizens through a Neighbourhood Forum /Plan approach.”

Following a debate on the matter, the Amendment was put to the vote and declared carried. The Substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes that:

-            Neighbourhood Forums previously took place in each Trafford Locality. Neighbourhood Forums met on an ad-hoc basis and were convened for specific topics. They have also been used as a consultation vehicle, for example as part of the budget consultation.

-            Through Locality Working, Locality Partnerships were introduced which partly took on the role of the Neighbourhood Forums. Locality Partnerships were a group of local citizens, community groups, councillors, and staff who worked in organisations such as the Council, Police, leisure, housing and health, who came together to share information and ideas, build relationships and create change. The Locality Partnerships are no longer meeting, nor undertaking any of the functions that they were established for.

-            Community engagement at the council is currently primarily undertaken by the Community Engagement Team, established under Covid-19 and is funded until March 2023, with discussions taking place regarding how to secure the future of the Team. The Inclusive Economy and Communities Team also undertake some community engagement but there is no scope within that Team to establish Neighbourhood Forums.

-            The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships has responsibility for promoting a neighbourhood and area focus across the Council and the Borough and for ensuring appropriate consultation with partners and the community on matters within the portfolio.

-            The ruling Labour Group were instrumental in the establishment of the Community Hubs as a response to the global pandemic. The hubs are now considered a blue print for the way this council wants to work with communities. This Council has over the last year been engaging at a neighbourhood level on genuine and hyperlocal neighbourhood plans. These will be further co-produced with the communities and residents in that neighbourhood. This Council remains committed to involving its citizens to develop stronger communities.

-            The 2021 Trafford Labour manifesto on page 16 stated regarding the Climate Emergency that “…the Labour Group commits to convening a Trafford Citizen’s Assembly in this calendar year to involve and engage residents in the decisions we need to take to move forward with our green agenda.” A motion was passed at the December 2020 Council meeting and part of the resolution was “…to convene a Citizen’s Assembly within 12 months to inform decision making in this area and increase resident engagement and involvement in the fight against climate change.” It was announced at the October 2022 Council meeting that the Citizen’s Assembly will not be progressed, however.

This Council believes that:

-            Neighbourhood Forums can provide an opportunity for citizens to speak face-to-face with councillors and council officers. They can also provide an opportunity for citizens to be consulted in their local communities on new policy proposals.

-            With the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns, direct engagement between citizens and the council can and should take place on a more formalised basis as in the past.

-            It is regretful that over a decade of austerity has put pressure on our ability to resource Neighbourhood Forums. However, this Council continues to seek innovative ways to work with residents.

This Council resolves:

That the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships brings a report to Executive, no later than the October 2023 Executive meeting, which sets out the options for engaging directly with citizens through a Neighbourhood Forum /Plan approach.