Community Planning - Community Forums

The Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003 requires every local authority to produce a community plan detailing priorities that will improve the lives of local people.

The aim is to encourage public, private and voluntary sector organisations to work together when developing structures and delivering services.

The law requires West Dunbartonshire Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Scottish Enterprise and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to take part in community planning.

To do this effectively the West Dunbartonshire Community Planning Partnership (WDCPP) works with all of these bodies as well as many more organisations and community representatives.

Over the next 10 years West Dunbartonshire will be changing and our community plan will ensure these changes are carried out in an co-ordinated manner.  Local people will be involved at every stage - and Community Forums provide this opportunity.

The plan will ensure that by 2017 we have put in place measures to create:

• sustainable and attractive living environments

• affordable and sustainable housing

• promotion of education and lifelong learning

• strong and safe communities

• improved health and well being

• regeneration and growth of our local economy

(these are known as community planning 'themes')

Community Forums

These forums have been set up for local people to have their say in community planning matters.  Any local person can become involved.  

There are forums in the Vale of Leven, Dumbarton and Clydebank.  They meet regularly in local public venues.

Thematic Groups

There are also Thematic Groups which involve officers from a range of partner organisations.  They take forward the work around the community planning themes.  The Community Forums have representatives on these Thematic Groups to enable local people to influence the decisions taken.

For more information about Community Forums and how to get involved, contact Community Planning and Policy, 01389 737269.  To read more about the West Dunbartonshire Community Plan Click here.

Decision Making

To ensure that community views are represented effectively at a decision making level, there are a total of 21 places for community representatives within the communtiy planning formal structure as follows:

Thematic Groups                           6 x 3 = 18

Community Planning Board                           3