Forum Topic

possible disappearance of ward forums

there is a rumour going around that Ealing Council is planning to no longer fund Ward Forums which basically means closing them down. as this is one of the few places where local residents can discuss problems with Councillors and the Police as well as allocate funds to sort out local problems this would be a very retrograde step.   anyone else got any information?  

jill morris ● 2027d11 Comments

Never really understood the idea of corporate PR in local government. It is not as if a Council can attract more customers. Much of it must be down to the vanity of the political leadership but ultimately it is a lipstick on a pig situation.All local authorities face the same basic problem. They have essentially a fixed income stream from Council Tax and Government grants with a cost base which is constantly rising particularly for salaries. The only way to cut the salary bill is to cut head count and, at some point that has to have an impact on services. This leaves local authorities with little other option to raise revenue from fines, fees and charges which it is hard to avoid doing in a way that doesn't alienate residents. This is particularly the case as this is a very regressive way of raising funds so tends to hit the less well off the hardest. So eventually a large proportion of the population develops a grudge against the Council and they won't revise their view just because of a well-crafted mission statement. This isn't an Ealing specific problem - it is happening across the country.

Mark Evans ● 2023d

"Why can't we see a clear route here?"Ealing, pay 'lip service' to democracy with their 'cabinet' structure. There is no onus upon them to keep these 'consultations' and their progression visible for a moment longer than is necessary.

N V Brooks ● 2024d

Unlike with other Councils and TfL the Consultations appear to be taken off the list of Current Consultations list when the Consultation date is reached and disappear.  There seems to be a choice on the website of Current or Past Consultations. On the Parliament website you can see a clear line of progression for Bills going through so you can still see what they are and where they have got to.  Why can't we see a clear route here?

Philippa Bond ● 2024d

It's patently obvious that "Several Houses, Two Jobs, Secret Council Loan, 'It's The Toru Cuts!'" and his Southall Posse want shot of Ward Forums and have done for some time.They're deliberately ineffective, you have close to zero "say", and are a nuisance to the Kremlin's Agenda.

Rosco White ● 2025d

Talking to themselves.

Philippa Bond ● 2025d

Ealing Council does not have a communications strategy. Period. It took six emails, including one to Najsarek, and almost three months to find this out. So it depends on the officer as to when, where and how information is disseminated. "The council’s communications activity is aligned to the administration’s three priorities – good, genuinely affordable homes, opportunities and living incomes, a healthy and great place for all.  As well as the council’s transformation programme Future Ealing  https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201033/council_and_local_decisions/2437/future_ealing/1 and statutory requirements such as the recent European elections. If you look at the council’s Ealing News Extra site  https://ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ you will find our news, features, editions of Around Ealing Magazine as well as activity linked to our corporate campaigns.  In addition we have a number of social media accounts on Facebook (/EalingLondon), Twitter(@ealingcouncil) and Instagram (ealingcouncil) which keep residents up-to-date."Cheryl Curling - Media & Communications Manager LBE.Did you expect anything more???

Libby Kemp ● 2026d

There are plans that they don't want to hear our views on despite issuing Consultations...  These also ought to appear in Around Ealing but don't seem to.

Philippa Bond ● 2026d

Wholly depends on the agenda.I have been to fora with a handful or, when there was a contentious issue, a packed local hall.

N V Brooks ● 2027d

What sort of numbers attend these ward forums?

Mark Evans ● 2027d

All hail our munificent leader, Kim Jong Bell. And his bicycle.(With thanks to NVB).

Tony Heath ● 2027d

Not heard this but it would hardly be a surprise as the current administration really don't want to learn anything that would upset the 'Dear Leader' and the Politburo.

N V Brooks ● 2027d