Participation success boosts local democracy (2)

At a meeting of Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet tomorrow, Councillors will hear feedback on the public participation scheme enabling people to speak to Councillors direct at the Cabinet meeting. The feedback shows that the scheme is a resounding success and Councillors will be asked to agree to making the pilot scheme permanent, ensuring the continuation of public participation in the Cabinet’s decision making processes. 

County Councillor Mike Ash, Deputy Leader of the Council says, 

“The Council’s first Corporate Strategy theme is `Improving Council Services – Putting the Public First’. Reviewing the way the people of Cumbria can participate in the Council’s business is very important in reaching our aim to `Put the Public First’ ensuring access to and involvement in local democracy. The Public Participation scheme for Cabinet was introduced in June last year. It enables people to ask questions about general Council business and specific agenda items. It also enables people to present petitions on subjects they feel strongly about. 

The review of the scheme shows that it has been used nine times. People who have used the scheme have expressed their thanks for the opportunity to speak direct to the members of the Cabinet. I will be suggesting a further development to the scheme to ensure views are heard at an earlier stage. Those early representations are important and will inform our decision-making. I am pleased that the Public Participation scheme has proved successful in engaging the public in Council business and look forward to its future use and development.” 

Cabinet is recommended to continue the Public Participation Scheme when it meets in Carlisle tomorrow. There are also public participation schemes for Council, the Council’s six local committees and the Development, Control and Regulation Committee. If Cabinet approves the continuation of the scheme, all current Public Participation schemes will be drawn together into one booklet, which will be made available through local libraries and other Council service points. Anyone interested in finding out 

more about public participation in Council Business can contact Cumbria County Council’s Members Services unit on (01228) 606373