Area Committees

What are Area Committees?

Area Committees are a way of bringing decision making closer to local communities. Some decisions that were previously made in the Town Hall are now made locally at Area Committee meetings.

The seven Area Committees involve all of Chester's ward councillors, working in partnership with residents, parish councils, existing community groups and networks, and businesses. This will improve community involvement in decision-making and service delivery. The decision making powers of Area Committees are delegated to them by Chester City Council and its Cabinet. The decisions taken will be about City Council services or new partnership activities. The aim is not cut across or duplicate services already being provided by other stakeholders, such as parish councils, the County Council or the police, but to provide complementary services which fit with other provision to better meet local needs.

Area Committees meet regularly in the community (at least 4 times per year). Some information on dates and venues is already on this website and will be updated regularly as venues are confirmed. At Area Committee meetings, officers from the Council will present reports or proposals affecting the area, and councillors will make their decisions after consultation with the community.

Area Committees inform communities about local service delivery, address local concerns and promote local aspirations.

Anyone can attend to listen or voice their views.

Area Committees are just one part of the city council's committment to Area Working.

What Powers Do Area Committees Have?

Area Committees have

• Decision making powers over dedicated budgets to spend on local services such as local community safety initiatives, Council owned play areas, etc.

• The power of recommendation on other local decisions where the budget is held centrally (such as specifications on contracts for grounds maintenance, street cleansing, etc.)

• The right to be consulted on matters that affect the local area closely but where decisions will be taken centrally (such as major local planning applications, development of planning policies, strategies and projects by the City Council, etc.)

The right to be reported to on other issues (such as grant spend in their area including grants to voluntary organisations and others, Tree Preservation Orders, monitoring of contracts, etc.)