The annual meetings are all behind us and it is interesting to see the different approach from each PC.

ARKESDEN
Their mtg.is is held on a separate evening and not incorporated in to the joint annual and monthly PC mtg as in Wendens Ambo and Littlebury.  The entire village and its organizations/groups are invited to give a brief summary of their activities after the PC reports.  The village hall was full and it was informative for the community to hear all the reports and allowed each group to recruit new members. Particularly helpful to new incoming residents.
 
LITTLEBURY. No members of public present.
 
Littlebury recently held an extraordinary meeting with the Chairman and Headmaster of Gt Chesterford school to debate the serious problem that 7 Littlebury families have encountered whereby they are not being allowed entry to this school and are having to place siblings in separate schools. This was a well attended meeting and one which the PC hope will result in a satisfactory outcome for the families, all rests with the County Cllr and our MP at the moment but the PC are giving as much support as they can, and will persevere.
 
WENDENS AMBO.  Approx. 11 members of the public attended as the plans for development of the Millennium barn were on display. One member of public remained after this to listen to remainder of mtg.
 
I’m not sure whether the PC’s wish to emulate the Arkesden format in an endeavour to interest the community in the PC? Certainly the public reaction is only knee jerk when a matter or issue affects them personally as exhibited at WA.unless given an interesting reason to attend, like Arkesden. I did express concern at the lack of public participation to my fellow parish councilors at Littlebury and I believe consideration will be given to a public speaker next year.  The government is very keen for us all to involve the community and empower them, some food for thought?
As Chairman of the North Uttlesford Community Forum I am well aware of the difficulty in trying to engage the public and would be grateful for any suggestions or ideas. In UDC we have recently debated the Empowerment White Paper – Communities in Control, Real People,Real Power, and its implications.  The empowerment principles are Citizen engagement, Shift power, Challenge, Debate.  Uttlesford Futures-see below- is contemplating the possibility of Citizens Panels.
 
STRETHALL.    The Parish meeting is only required to meet twice yearly.
 
I promised to enlighten you on some of the organizations I am involved with.  I am a Board member of Uttlesford Futures and sit on Environment Wkg. Group, and Board member of CYPSP.
 
 
LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP/ UTTLESFORD FUTURES.  [The partnership of partnerships established in 2002]
Feeds in to Local development framework, [LDF].
 
Uttlesford Futures is a strategic partnership which brings together representatives from the public, private, voluntary and community sector to improve the quality of life in the district.  It has a structure. It is a non statutory body and does not have a separate legal identity.
Uttlesford Futures Assembly is held annually and represents the views of Uttlesford Futures and local residents and provides an opportunity to communicate widely. [Usually held at Chesterford Science Park in October]
The Board provides leadership and development and delivery of the ‘vision’ and key strategies. Made up of members from each of key organizations. Meets quarterly.
The Management Team provides support to Board and translates strategic priorities in to local action plans. Made up of lead officers of each stakeholder.  Meets quarterly prior to Board.
The Working Groups lead on development and delivery of agreed actions. Made up of members of Board and key organizations. Meet quarterly or as necessary.
All this is performance managed and monitored and relayed to the stakeholders and community using the Sustainable Community Strategy as its vision and driving force which is reviewed every 3 years.
 
 
Key stakeholders are UDC, ECC, Essex Police, Learning and Skills Council, Uttlesford Association of Local councils, Essex Fire and Rescue service, Federation of Small Businesses, Sustainable Uttlesford [formerly Local agenda 21], Uttlesford Council for Voluntary services, West Essex Primary Care Trust [ now West Essex NHS],
 
 Working groups for Healthy Communities and Older people-centres work on reducing obesity,smoking,care for elderly. Economic Development , Learning and Skills WG – promotes and encourages enterprise , Environment WG – promotion of energy efficiency, reduction of green house gases, sustainable transport, biodiversity , Transport and Accessibility WG -all matters transport related, Crime and Disorder Reduction strategy WG – established under crime and disorder act, Children and Young Peoples Strategic Partnership [CYPSP] – delivers on the govt. agenda ‘Every Child Matters’ and feeds in to LSP
.
Local area agreements -LAA’s- negotiated following on from the comprehensive spending review.  National indicators -NI’s- produced for local authorities and partnerships. Local indicators- LI’s developed and a performance framework for delivering better ‘outcomes’ for local people..
 
All working groups recently bid for ECC LAA Reward grant money for projects that are working towards known National Indicators in Uttlesford.
A total of £261,000 was allocated.
 
Jan Menell.