Issued: 19 December 2001
Community Council Input To Community Planning
Community councils in Angus are being asked to make their contribution to the ongoing community planning process.
Angus Council is inviting community councils to participate in a short-life working group to broaden grass roots involvement in the community planning process.
The matter was discussed at the biannual meeting of community councillors and representatives of Angus Council earlier this month.
Council leader Rob Murray said that this latest step to involve communities in the Angus forward planning process was a natural progression in the Council’s consultative processes.
"Through the area forums people have a regular opportunity to air their views and comment on council proposals and policies for the whole of Angus as well as their own areas," said Councillor Murray.
"Attendance at the forums topped 600 during 2001 and the views of those attending continues to inform and influence council decisions. Nevertheless the council is keen to involve as many people as possible when mapping the broader vision for the county.
"Community councils provide another more localised channel for people's views and we recognise the important part they play as grass roots representatives. That is why we want them to be actively involved in this latest part of the community planning process as the planning partners work to bring a greater community focus to the plan."
Notes
- The Angus Community Plan was launched last December and sets out a 10year vision for the county. The plan addresses five key themes - the economy, lifelong learning, healthy and safe communities, caring communities and the environment - and looks at how the key agencies plan to work together for the benefit of the county.
- In Angus the planning partnership comprises Angus Council, Scottish Enterprise Tayside, Tayside Health Board, Scottish Homes, Tayside Police and Angus Association of Voluntary Organisations.
- Area Forums were set up by Angus Council in 1996 following extensive consultation, as part of the Council’s Decentralisation Scheme. The entire decentralisation scheme is due to be reviewed by the council next year as part of the Council’s commitment to continuous improvement.
- There are 26 community councils in Angus.