The Head of Democratic Services presented a report requesting that the Town and Community Council Forum establish a review panel to consider the Bridgend County Borough Charter and the format of meetings of the Town and Community Council Forum to improve engagement and strengthen collaborative working between all Councils.

He explained that in 2007 the Welsh Government published a Local Government Policy Statement “A Shared Responsibility” which set out the expectations of Local Authorities and the support that the Welsh Government aimed to provide. 

In response to this policy statement a joint guidance document “A Shared Community - Relationship Building and Charters for Unitary Authorities and Community and Town Councils” was released in 2008 by the Welsh Local Government Association, One Voice Wales and the Welsh Government.

The Head of Democratic Services explained that on 26th May 2009 a Charter for Bridgend County Borough was adopted as the basis for developing positive working relationships between Bridgend County Borough Council and Community and Town Councils within the County Borough.

He explained that the Charter was subsequently reviewed, updated and adopted on 18 July 2016.  It was agreed during the review process that the Charter would be reviewed annually to ensure that it remained effective.

The Head of Democratic Services explained that the existing Charter was developed by a working group appointed by the Town and Community Council Forum.  It was proposed that a similar working group be established to review the existing Town & Community Council Charter in order to identify opportunities to develop capacity within the communities of the County Borough, minimise the impact of budget reductions to citizens and extend relationships with Third Sector and other organisations

He proposed that the working group should comprise equal representation from Bridgend County Borough Council and the Town and Community Councils.  To reflect recent changes to the Forum the working group should be formed by 12 elected representatives of the Town and Community Forum as follows:

·         2 Elected Member representatives from Town Councils,

·         4 Elected Member representatives from Community Councils and

·         6 Elected Member representatives from Bridgend County Borough Council. 

In addition 1 Clerk from a Town Council and 1 Clerk from a Community Council not represented by Elected Members would also be invited to participate in the working group.

It was proposed that a meeting of the working group be scheduled for 4 September 2017at 10:00am in Committee Rooms 1/2/3 Civic Offices Angel Street Bridgend.

In addition to reviewing the Charter, the working group would consider the format of the meetings of the Town and Community Council Forum and be requested to propose possible changes which would support effective collaborative working.

It was anticipated that the review group would complete its review of the Charter and the format of the meetings and report back to the next meeting of the Forum on 16 October 2017.

The Leader stated that he was happy to take nominations at the meeting.

RESOLVED:                 The Town and Community Council Forum:

1.            Noted the content of the report

2.            Approved the establishment of a working group as identified in paragraph 4.2 of the report

3.            Appointed representatives to the working group as detailed below:

                      BCBC Representatives:   

1.  Cllr CE Smith    Chairperson

2.  Cllr P Davies

3.  Cllr A Hussain

4.  Cllr T Giffard

5.  Cllr R Stirman

6.  Cllr B Sedgebeer

                     Town Council Representatives:               

7.  Cllr Warren (Bridgend)

8.  Cllr Walters (Porthcawl)

                     Community Council Representatives:

9.     Cllr Evans (Cefn Cribwr)

1.  Cllr Kay John (replacing Cllr Workman)

2.      Cllr R Davies (Laleston)

3.      Cllr K Rowlands (Brackla)

                      Invitees:

                      Town Clerk            Ceri Evans (Porthcawl)

                      Community Clerk   Dawn Evans (Cornelly) 

4.            Approved that the first meeting of the working group be held on 4 September 2017 at 10:00.