Sheffield City Council will vote on a proposal today to create seven new Local Area Committees, in an effort to better engage local people in the democratic process.<\/p>\n
This decision comes just weeks before the city-wide referendum to change the council from a cabinet-led to a committee-based system.<\/p>\n
The move has been seen by some as an effort to win over the public into voting to maintain the current system.<\/p>\n
Ruth Hubbard, 57, on behalf of the It\u2019s Our City campaign, said: \u201cWe welcome any shift in approach to community involvement in decision-making in Sheffield and think this is long overdue.”<\/p>\n
\u201cVoting for change is the only way to ensure all our councillors have the power to represent all citizens and communities in decision-making.\u201d<\/p>\n
The changes were sparked by the Big City Conversation, the council\u2019s survey for Sheffield locals, which aimed to learn more about the problems that affected them.<\/p>\n
Over 3,800 responses were recorded in the project, which highlighted the issue of citizens feeling as if they are unable to influence the decisions being made in the city.<\/p>\n
At the committee meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to vote on matters given to them by the council, or the cabinet and council leader, including directing funding for projects.<\/p>\n
The committees will act as the main centres for public consultation on council decisions, however concerns have been raised over how quickly this proposal has been pushed through the decision process after being announced last week.<\/p>\n
Ms Hubbard, said: \u201cWe do not know any other council who would introduce proposals about community empowerment and push them through council in a rapid 48 hours without consulting widely.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the proposal is passed by the full council, Sheffield City Council plans to launch the Local Area Communities in May this year.<\/p>\n
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