Forum Topic

Ward Forums to be scrapped?

I heard from a friend that our Council are considering plans to scrap Ward Forums (fora?).See http://neighbournet.com/server/common/eacouncil186.htmQuite alarming as these are one of our few means of direct contact with our elected representatives.The LibDems have a petition to oppose this:https://www.ealinglibdems.org.uk/savewardforumsIt currently has 43 signatures, with a target of 1,500.Despite being a paid-up LibDem supporter, and being very much opposed to the axing of the Ward Forums, I won't be signing due to the dreadful privacy T&C's."If you submit this form, the Liberal Democrats, locally and nationally, may use information in it, including your political views, to further our objectives, share it with our elected representatives and contact you in future using any of the means provided. Some contacts may be automated. You may opt out of some or all contacts or exercise your other legal rights by contacting us."I'm slightly surprised that a default opt-in, with no easy means of opting-out is even legal under GDPR, but I'm sure the LibDems have done their homework so it must be.So a double-whammy. Vital services scrapped and the lovely people who would normally defend us, imposing terrible terms when agreeing with them.

Mark Vale ● 2641d6 Comments

Yes, they are populated by people moaning, but this is a good place for people to vent their frustrations. Our ward meeting would be 100% about parking if the car lovers had their way; as it is it's about 60% of the time.  :)But we have had some good outcomes - for instance, we got money allocated to put up the Xmas lights on Northfield Avenue a few years ago. Ok, kinda trivial, but they cheer up the street. Also, the pro-lifers who were stopped from demonstrating outside Marie Stopes clinic - this initiative started at at ward meeting. So not all bad. (They can still demonstrate, just not in front of the clinic.) So I for one think the forums should continue.

Terry Jones ● 2624d

I concur, Ms Moran.

Rosco White ● 2630d

I gave up attending a long time ago as the Councillors simply ignored the views - even when put to a majority vote - of those attending in order to carry out their own plans anyway.  One Councillor actually said, 'just because you come along here it doesn't mean your views are more important than those of anyone else who doesn't attend.' So what's the point of going along?  They often, when I did attend, appealed for ideas to spend the money the council gives them, and suggestions from those present were almost always ignored.  I welcome their scrapping - the money could be better spent, and it's best to go directly to the council over issues anyway.

Claire Moran ● 2630d

So their intelligent then.

Dennis Bailey ● 2641d

They're just populated by people moaning about pavement cycling and ignoring the bigger dangers of pavement parking.

Paul James ● 2641d

I am wondering if it would be any great loss anyway?We already know how effective Ward Forums are in influencing decisions - virtually zero. There are a few well known & active locals of "calibre" who have given up attending because it's a waste of time.And it's the relevant Ward Councillors who control the disbursement. Regardless of what the Ward Forum may decide/want, the Ward Councillor/s can spend it on anything they like, particularly so if it fits in with their ideology - they don't even need "our" permission, they can just spend it on anything!  ;-)So, probably no great loss if Ward Forums shuffle off into history?

Rosco White ● 2641d