Next Meeting 19.00 Tuesday 2nd June 2025 at Norden Methodist Church OL12 7QE
Name
This terms of reference relates to the activity of the Norden Area Forum.
Purpose
The purpose of the Area Forum is to provide a focal point for residents and businesses in the Ward to raise and comment on issues and be made aware of developments in the Norden area.
Objectives
The purpose of the Area Forum will be supported by:
- Arranging four Area Forum meeting per year
- Providing access to Ward Councillors
- Providing access to Council Officers
- Reporting issues raised at the Area Forum to the appropriate service
- Providing updates to issues raised at the Area Forum
- Directing minutes of the Area Forum meeting to the relevant Township Committee.
Powers
The Area Forum is not a decision making body but can influence decision making by raising issues and commenting on Ward developments at meetings.
Members can invite specific Council Officers or Officers from other organisations to the Area Forum to assist discussions. However it should be understood that invited Officers are not obliged to attend. Officers may also opt to provide information in other formats.
Membership
Membership of the Area Forum shall be open to:
- Any individual living in the Ward
- Any individual working in the Ward
- Any business owner in the Ward
- The Councillors representing the Ward
- The Member of Parliament representing the Borough
Area Forum Meetings
The Norden Area Forum is a non-party political meeting and is not affiliated to any political party.
The Area Forum shall meet four times a year.
The Chair of the Forum will ensure that Area Forum members will be given at least ten working days’ notice of meetings.
The Chair of the Forum will be responsible to ensure that a true and accurate record is made of all meetings.
In the event of the Chair not being present at an Area Forum meeting a member, present at this meeting, will be appointed as Chair by the Councillors present. If no member is willing to take the Chair the meeting will be cancelled.
There shall be a minimum of 5 members of the public in order for the meeting to continue.
All Area Forum meetings will commence at 1900 hours and finish no later than 2100 hours. Any extension to this will require the permission of the Chair.
Area Forum meetings will have a standard agenda which will include:
- Introduction, Apologies and Code of Conduct
- Greater Manchester Police
- Approval of the minutes, matters arising and updates
- Open Forum
- Members/Ward Funds
- Councillor Updates
- Date and time of next meeting
Any request to add additional items to the agenda should be submitted to the Chair no less than fifteen working days before the date of the meeting.