Following a consultation exercise between Shropshire Council, the parish and town councils, the Association of Local Councils (ALC), and other interested parties a new charter has been drawn up. The charter provides a framework to build strong partnership-working between the different councils that between them represent all levels of democracy in Shropshire.
In Shropshire, there are 153 parish and town councils, ranging from small rural parishes representing a few hundred people, to larger town council representing many thousands. As of January 2011, one-third of parish and town councils (local councils) have signed up to the Charter.
Shropshire Council recognises that local councils are the grass roots level of local government and that by working together we will provide better services to local communities in Shropshire.
By signing up to this document, councils agree to work together to promote the best interests of the communities we serve, to provide quality, value for money, public services, and to promote opportunities for greater public participation and involvement in our work.
The councils in Shropshire commit to working together in the following areas:
- Information and communication
- Consultation and engagement
- Liaison
- Community-led planning
- Regulatory functions
- Standards and ethics and quality status
- Training and development
- Delivery of services
- Elections
- Compliments and complaints
Strong partnership working will be increasingly essential as the reduction in public sector funding bites and relationships built on trust and mutual respect will be vital if we are to best serve the people of Shropshire.
The charter will be monitored and evaluated regularly, through liaison meetings with the local council membership organisation (ALC), the larger local council forum, direct communications and further opportunities to raise issues of common interest or concern through the Local Joint Committee structure.
For more information on the charter please contact the head of community working using the contact details below.