Cumberland Council has set out how it will enhance decision making by inviting residents to become members of its Community Panels
The eight panels each have a budget for community investment. They also serve to identify gaps in provision, bring funders together and lobby for particular local needs. Their decisions are influenced by Community Networks of residents, businesses, the third sector and others.
The panels are made up of the Cumberland ward councillors for that area, but they can appoint up to three unelected members to support their work. Today (Tuesday, 3 October) the council’s Executive committee approved a framework setting out how that will happen.
Cumberland Council’s Deputy Leader Lisa Brown said: “I fully encourage our Community Panels to embrace the opportunity to appoint passionate local people who can enhance our decision making.
“We made a commitment to transparency in our processes and this is the perfect opportunity to be right at the centre of decisions that affect our lives.
"Committed co-optees who share the panel's vision really bring something invaluable to the process. They will contribute to discussions and provide additional insight from a local or professional perspective. This could result in new approaches, constructive challenge, robust decision-making and, potentially, access to new resources.
“Different co-optees will be appropriate for each area, but the strategy we adopted today ensures a fair and consistent approach to appointing co-opted members.”
The framework gives guidance on how co-opted members are identified, appointed and supported.
The roles will be advertised around February 2024, once panels have finished consulting with the community to create local priorities and investment plans. Co-opted members will undergo training and serve a one-year term from April 2024 to March 2025.
To find out more about Community Panels and Community Networks, visit https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/your-council/community-panels.
Cumberland Community Panels logo:
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