Fears over forums

CONCERNS have been raised about whether new ward forums can properly deal with community concerns.

Residents can raise issues at new ward forum meetings, which will be known as Ward Partners and Community Together (PACT).

Smaller issues will be dealt with quickly while larger issues will be taken to the District Partnership meetings to be resolved.

The two Failsworth wards will unite to create one PACT while Hollinwood will have its own, and they can take many forms including community walkabouts, consultations in supermarkets and traditional meetings.

Councillor Jim McMahon said the new structure could be confusing for residents.

He said: “Behind the consultation with residents needs to be a mechanism to deal with issues raised.

“We should be able to move on issues quickly and I don’t think we do that at the moment.

“We’re in danger of creating a very confusing situation that no-one understands.

“All the council has done is create another committee structure.”

The structure and venues of the PACT meetings have not yet been decided. Hollinwood PACT forums will be held on August 12, October 7 and December 7, but no dates have been set for the Failsworth PACT.