At the January 2023 Trafford Council meeting, Members agreed unanimously for a report to be brought to the Council’s Executive meeting by October 2023 setting out the options for engaging directly with citizens through a Neighbourhood Forum Plan approach.
Neighbourhood Forums previously took place in each Trafford Locality. Neighbourhood Forums met on an ad-hoc basis and were convened to engage with residents on specific topics. They have also been used as a consultation vehicle, for example as part of the budget consultation. Neighbourhood Forums also provided an opportunity for citizens to speak face-to-face with councillors, council officers and other partner agency representatives.
Cllr. Dylan Butt, Shadow Executive Member at Trafford Council for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships, who brought the motion to Council on neighbourhood forums said “When speaking with residents on the door step, it is often reported how it has become increasingly difficult and frustrating for residents to make contact with council officers and services. That is why I brought a proposal to council for direct engagement to take place with residents in the community, now that Covid-19 restrictions have ended.
“It was disappointing however that the ruling Labour Group amended the proposal to include an irrelevant attack on government economic policy, but the Conservative Group accepted the amendment in order to progress the neighbourhood forums in the interest of Trafford residents and meaningful engagement.”
