Issue - meetings

Members gave consideration to a report which presented the results from the Parish Charter consultation and which recommended approval of the final version of the Parish Charter document, which was appended to the report.

In response to questions, Officers confirmed the point of contact was a new service, reference to its re-introduction was due to it having been excluded from the first draft.  Attendance figures at a previous forum were shared.  Officers outlined the challenges in making forums interesting for all, providing them in a location suitable to all and therefore it was hoped by hosting some elements virtually some of these historic challenges may be overcome.

All present acknowledged that the relationship between Parishes and the District needed to re-framed particularly in respect of the planning service.  Officers outlined the Charter was one such way, however, a multi-pronged approach was needed and this included amending the Constitution to support parish referrals in the planning system and hosting a number of training events specifically around the planning system, which had unfortunately been cancelled due to current restrictions.  Some Members considered the District Councillor was the lynch-pin between the two organisations and expressed disappointment that this fact was not referenced within the Charter.

The Monitoring Officer acknowledged the work of the District Councillor, however this was not something Ward Councillors could be mandated to be part of.  The way Members engaged with local parishes was a personal matter and where this engagement did not happen there needed to be an alternative mechanism.   The capability of District Councillors was something that could and would be addressed through the Member Development Group

It was accepted that Parish Councillors were, in the main, volunteers and it was therefore suggested the word training could be perceived negatively.  Following some discussion and suggestions it was suggested the Parish Charter be approved subject to any references to training being re-phrased to something more appealing and in-line with the comments made. 

On that basis it was RESOLVED that:

(a)    the West Lindsey Parish Charter be approved, subject to any references to training being re-phrased to something more appealing and in-line with the comments made; and

(b)     the approach to delivering Parish Forums as detailed within the report be approved.