Area Committees

Ipswich Borough Council has established five new Area Committees to move decision-making closer to the people.

Area Committees replace the Area Forums, and will make a real difference to how Ipswich is run.  Ward Councillors will work with community groups, businesses and residents at public meetings on a wide range of services.

Decision-making will be devolved on a range of issues including area budgets to meet local priorities; reviewing the use of community assets; maintaining local open spaces and leisure facilities; community safety issues; street cleaning and lighting; transport and car parking; health and facilities for children, the elderly and disadvantaged.

The Council's recently launched Community Right to Bid - Assets of Community Value Policy is available to view.

The links below will direct you the relevant Area Committee.

• Central - St Margaret's Ward, Westgate Ward and Alexandra Ward
• North East - Rushmere Ward, St John's Ward and Bixley Ward
• North West - Whitton Ward, Castle Hill Ward and Whitehouse Ward
• South East - Holywells Ward, Gainsborough Ward and Priory Heath Ward
• South West - Gipping Ward, Bridge Ward and Stoke Park Ward

Minutes of previous Area Forum meetings can be accessed through the archived meetings list.

How to ask questions at Area Committee meetings

1. Members of the public are permitted to attend Area Committee meetings and will be allowed to speak with permission of the relevant Chair.
2. At most meetings there will be an open session for the public to speak before or during the meeting.
3. If there are large numbers of members of the public wishing to speak either in the open session or on any specific item on the meeting agenda, the Chair may limit the amount of time allowed, or the numbers of those permitted to speak.
4. The Chair shall give priority to those members of the public who have expressed in advance a desire to speak at the meeting.
5. Although advance notification is not obligatory, questioners should bear in mind that such notification will increase the possibility of responses or answers being available at the same meeting. If a response can't be given at the meeting, the Chair will indicate whether a written response will be provided to the questioner and/or reported back at the next available meeting.
6. Questions and representations must relate to issues for which the Council has responsibility.
7. Written notification of any questions or representations should be given in writing no later than 10.00am at least two working days in advance before the meeting date, and sent to the Head of Corporate Services, in accordance with the provisions below:
8. Notifications of Questions or representations can be submitted in writing or by email to: areacommitteequestions@ipswich.gov.uk
9. a) Notifications of Questions or representations must contain:
   
   • the name and address of the questioner/speaker;
   • a contact telephone number;
   • details of the question or representation, and if relevant,  the agenda item number;
   • the relevant Area Committee to which you wish to make your representation.
   b) Questions or representations must not:
   
   • contain references to identifiable individuals (whether by name or other information) unless the consent of that individual has been obtained and included with the notification;
   • contain potentially defamatory or provocative or abusive comments;
   • contain discriminatory remarks.
10. In the interests of fairness to all potential questions and speakers and business efficiency, the same or broadly similar questions or representations cannot be taken to the same Area Committee within a period of six months from the date it was previously raised.
    

For further information please contact:

Jan Robinson, Senior Committee Services Officer - Democratic Services

Email: committee.services@ipswich.gov.uk

Or visit our Facebook and Twitter pages http://twitter.com/areacommittees

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ipswich-Community/139090792831127?sk=wall