SPC Guidelines |
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The proposal to establish SPCs in the Better Local Government White Paper was followed up in November 1997 with more detailed guidelines as to how these should be set up. |
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A Number of core
principles are identified in relation to the selection of
groups e.g. groups should have a county/city wide
mandate; and groups should be broadly representative and
accountable; and groups should have a fairly broad
sectoral remit. Each sector should select its own
nominees(s). The local authority should not be
involved in the selection of individual nominees. In
order to facilitate adequate consultation among the
groups in a sector, it is recommended that an appropriate
time-frame (about 2 months) be built into the selection
process for each sector. This will be particularly
important in the case of the
community/voluntary/disadvantaged sector. The Community/Voluntary/Disadvantaged sector is named as one of the sectors to be represented in each local authoritys SPC, along with Agriculture/Farming; Environmental; Conservation/Culture; Construction; Business/Commercial; and Trade Union. (The Agriculture/Farming sector would not be represented on county borough SPCs nor necessarily in a highly urbanised county council). It is a matter for each council, in drafting its SPC scheme, to compile a list of groups and organisations appropriate to each sector in the light of local circumstances. Concern has been expressed however, that it is the local authority which defines who is in the sector. Before doing this, it is imperative that the broad community sector is consulted locally. It is especially important that community groups with a focus on poverty, and social exclusion are centrally involved in the process. For example, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs supported Community Development Project are a valuable resource which local authorities might utilise. |
Strategic
Areas for SPCs The guidelines suggest that SPCs could be configured under the following strategic areas.
SPCs; the participants
External Representatives The guidelines clearly state that the involvement of a range of sectors, community and other interest groups will "be a major resource to local government, will foster a higher degree of community relevance and local participation and will provide different streams of expertise and advice". The following factors have been identified in determining external representation:
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