The Council recently undertook a ‘Community Governance Review’ to look at the best ways of representing the interests of the towns including options for Town Councils and other bodies. From the responses received it was clear that there was no substantial support for the creation of a Town Council for Ilkeston or Long Eaton. The Council has instead agreed to review the Community Forum arrangements for Ilkeston and Long Eaton as Phase 2 of the Community Governance Review.
Community Forums are a valuable means of giving communities a voice on local issues, however they have no powers to raise funds by taxation. The focus is on the ability to influence the Council’s decision making process and the forums consist of people living or working in the area, Councillors and officers from Erewash Borough Council, Derbyshire Police, Derbyshire County Council and Three Valleys Housing.
Ilkeston currently has a Community Forum that meets three times per year and covers the areas of Ilkeston Central, Old Park, Abbotsford, Ilkeston North, Cotmanhay, Little Hallam and Hallam Fields. Kirk Hallam is currently part of the Erewash North Community Forum.
Long Eaton has a Community Forum that meets three times per year and covers the areas of Long Eaton Central, Derby Road East and West, Nottingham Road, Sawley and Wilsthorpe.
The Council will be sending out approximately 3,000 questionnaires by post to respondents from the initial consultation. The deadline for the consultation on Community Forum arrangements for both Ilkeston and Long Eaton is 26 September 2010, with the results of the consultation reported to Council on 11th November 2010.
The Council would like to hear the views of the residents, businesses and any other interested parties and has published the consultation questionnaire which is available on the Council’s website - www.erewash.gov.uk
Councillor Chris Corbett, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, said:
“The Community Forums are an extremely valuable link to communities and provide an opportunity for people to take a significant part in the local decision making process for Ilkeston and Long Eaton. I would encourage all our residents to take part in the consultation by responding to the posted questionnaire or by accessing the Erewash Borough Council website”
