Residents could soon be given access to a ‘Forward Plan’ of decisions to be taken by the council to ensure greater transparency of its work.
If agreed at a meeting of the Annual Council on Thursday 16 May, the publication of the plan is a ‘significant new step’ in improving how the public can keep track and get involved in the decision-making process.
The move comes on the back of a public consultation inviting residents to give their views on ways they could play a bigger part in the work of the council under a new constitution and Cabinet and leader model which could be adopted at the council meeting.
Under the new system, the Cabinet will meet every month and all significant decisions will be made in public, with councillor and public participation.
The Cabinet system also encourages more forward planning as decisions need to be registered on the forward plan 28 days in advance of a meeting as opposed to just five working days under the committee system.
The Cabinet and leader model, brought in by the Local Government Act 2000 and used by the majority of councils in England, was designed to strengthen public engagement with local democracy and better support councils to deliver objectives.
Part of the new constitution will include the appointment of three council-member Overview and Scrutiny Committees that have powers to investigate any matters related to the council’s functions.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committees are:
Special 'task and finish’ panels will undertake in-depth reviews on issues where specific investigations are required and be able to invite contributions from experts and those with lived experience to contribute to the review.
The public consultation took place from 18 March to 19 April this year and invited residents for their views on ways they could play a bigger part in the council’s work.
The consultation questions included asking about the best ways to include local people in the council’s formal decision-making process as well as how else we could increase engagement with local people and reduce barriers to participation.
A total of 169 people responded and there was support for new methods of engagement including:
Respondents also want the council to consider the needs of people with disabilities more thoroughly, involve community representatives and ensure local voluntary organisations with expertise are represented.
Other respondents felt excluded due to a ‘digital first’ approach, suggesting a reliance on digital platforms and social media can be exclusive and that the council’s website is often not user friendly.
In response to the consultation, a report going to the Annual Council meeting on 16 May, recommends councillors continue the current public engagement committee meetings and the new monthly Cabinet meetings, including public questions, deputations and petitions.
Councillors are also recommended to agree the monthly publication of the forward plan showing the items to be considered at the Cabinet meeting, which gives time for residents to send the council questions, deputations and petitions.
The council’s policy, partnerships and scrutiny team will review resident ideas for engagement alongside member feedback to create and deliver additional engagement opportunities for residents.
The first Forward Plan will be published on 28 May with the first Cabinet Meeting take place on 27 June.
Other committee and council meetings will take place as scheduled in the Meetings Timetable , with all agendas published on the council’s website in the usual way.
It is also proposed that a review of how the new Constitution is operating should take place after 12 months to ensure it’s working as intended and to identify any changes that may be required.
Read the full report on the Adoption of a New Council Constitution.
The Annual Council meeting takes place at Hove Town Hall on Thursday 16 May.