There is a great deal of community engagement and consultation going on in Blackpool on a regular basis. The aim of this website is to improve the efficiency of such consultations by enabling organisations to consult within the framework of a regular event where appropriate. Public MeetingsWe've put together a list of all the public meetings being held currently in Blackpool. If you want further information on any of these meetings - or if we've missed any - please let us know.
Three examples of such events are: Area Panels and Area Forums
Area Forums were set up by the Council in 2001 to enable residents to make contact with Council Officers and representatives of other Service Providers to raise issues concerning the local area.
A recent review of Area Forums has led to an increase in the number of Forums; there are now seven Forums, with three wards in each. Area Panels, made up of elected members, public sector officers and representatives from the voluntary and community sector will address the regular issues previously raised at Forums. Public Area Forums will be held when necessary to look at specific major issues.
The purpose of Area Panels/Forums is to act as a body of influence with issues referred to it from other identified community meetings (PACT, Reassurance Plus, Councillor surgeries etc) and to be a mechanism to make sure these issues are progressed.
To make a presentation at an Area Forum or Panel, you must apply to the relevant working group via the Council Officer supporting that Forum. Details of the Area Forums can be found at:
http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Services/A-F/AreaPanelsandAreaForums/
PACT Meetings
PACT stands for 'Police and Communities Together'.
Lancashire Constabulary holds these meetings every month in each Blackpool ward to discuss policing and public safety issues and give residents the chance to meet local neighbourhood Police teams.
PACT meetings are specifically about policing matters, but there have been examples of other consultations taking place on the same occasion after the PACT meeting has ended.
The PACT website is at: http://www.lancashire.police.uk/index.php?id=353
Reassurance Plus Public Meetings
The Reassurance Plus Teams are partnerships of Public Sector organisations and local residents working in the Neighbourhood Improvement areas of Blackpool to address local problems like graffiti, litter and anti-social behaviour, to improve the environment of the areas and to encourage local residents to participate.
There are three Reassurance Plus areas - Central (in Claremont, Talbot and Brunswick wards), South (in Bloomfield, Victoria and Waterloo wards) and Grange Park.
Each area holds one or more regular Public Meeting, at which local residents can contribute their views on local priorities and issues to be addressed.