Discussion about the changes in 2012/2013.
Minutes:
The chair outlined the proposed, new structure and frequency of meetings for community councils, and invited comments.
Councillors discussed the issue. The meeting heard that the changes had not been finalised, but were likely to be at the May meeting of Council Assembly. Further comments were made that community councils engaged residents like no other meeting, and that the current areas reflected the communities people felt part of. Views were expressed that savings could have been found elsewhere, and that the loss of the planning function was regrettable. Other views were expressed: that cross-border working had already taken place around Elephant and Castle, and that Elephant and Castle would be better served by being in just one Community Council area. The council had difficult choices to make, in terms of where to make cuts.
Questions were raised from the floor about the practicalities of having a meeting attended by 15 councillors. A suggestion was made to have geographic subgroups, which could meet could meet in parallel.
There was a discussion about future venues for the merged community council area, and a discussion about alternative ways of funding a group with a “Borough and Bankside only” remit.
The chair asked for a show of hands from the floor about whether agreed or disagreed with the changes. There were no votes in favour and one abstention, with the rest of residents on the floor voting against.