Focus on Local Decisions

Parish and town councils in south Warwickshire are being targeted in a new scheme to improve services to their local communities. Parishes in the district wards of Bidford & Salford, Claverdon, Kineton, and Shipston-on-Stour are taking part in a pilot project with Stratford-on-Avon District Council to build stronger links between parish and district councillors.

The aim is to encourage better communications which should lead to more involvement by the local communities in the decision making process of the district council. Four parish liaison officers have been appointed within the council's current staff, who will take on the roles in addition to their existing jobs with appropriate remuneration.

"This is a big step in our commitment to our community leadership role," said Cllr Trevor Russel, the district council's deputy leader.

"The general role of these officers is to act as an ambassador for the district council within the identified ward area, working with the ward members and parish councils to ensure local issues are effectively communicated both ways.

"For example, we want to encourage more participation in our Area Community Committees which identify specific local concerns, yet the decisions made and actions proposed are often carried out with no one from the local community present, which is not good for democracy."

The parish liaison officers will also raise awareness of the district council's involvement in economic, social and environmental issues in the wards, as well as develop links with voluntary services. The pilot scheme runs for 12 months.