Community Forums - A voice for your Community

Community Forums are gatherings of people and organisations who are willing to work together to improve the quality of life in their towns, villages and neighbourhoods, for the good of all residents.  They attempt to link the views and ideas of local people with the decision-making processes of the local authority, parish and town councils and those involved in delivering services.

There is no fixed definition of what a Forum is or should be, but there are a number of features that each have in common, as follows:

• They are open to involvement by all organisations and individuals who have an interest in the future well being of that locality;
• All participants in Forum activities/meetings have the same rights to give their views and to be heard;
• Each Forum will have a Chair.  As well as chairing meetings of the Forum, the Chair or his/her deputy will represent the Forum on the NSP's Area Partnership;
• Each Forum will develop ways of communicating with and involving the residents of their locality;
• Forums will add value to the work of democratically elected representatives by helping them to be fully informed about the issues in their areas.

It is important that Forums are not:

• A subsitute for parish councils;
• Exclusive to particular groups of residents;
• Hindered by geography - Forums are able to work together across localities on issues that affect more than one Forum area.

Although supported by the County Council and other public service providers, Community Forums are 'hosted' by organisations that are grounded within that local community - these might be a local development trust, parish council, or local partnership.  Further details on the Community Forum hosts are available here.

The Community Forums meet on a regular basis, currently in the evenings, with the emphasis being on providing informal settings where residents can express their views.  Further details of the meeting dates are available here.

An introductory leaflet on Community Forums is available here.

Contact Details

For more information on how you might get involved in Community Forums, or any further details, please contact:

North Area:

• John Cooper: Tel 01670 534 279 / 01665 511 216,
  Email John.Cooper@northumberland.gov.uk
• Kevin Bartlett: Tel 01670 534 118,
  Email Kevin.Bartlett01@northumberland.gov.uk

South East Area:

• Susi Goncu: Tel 01670 534 264,
  Email Susi.Goncu@northumberland.gov.uk
• Lynda Fakir: Tel 01670 533 658,
  Email Lynda.Fakir@northumberland.gov.uk

West Area:

• Richard Powell: Tel 01670 534 115 / 01434 652 336,
  Email Richard.Powell@northumberland.gov.uk
• Susi Goncu: Tel 01670 534 264,
  Email Susi.Goncu@northumberland.gov.uk