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May, 2000 The Liberal Democrat Chaired Community Overview Panel became the first to meet last week as the new Council Structure continued to materialise. In an open meeting the Liberal Democrat Co.-chairs Cllr's Rolson Davies and Julie Haines pushed for a radical new style of working that would ensure much greater openness and inclusion on the new Panel than existed under the old system or indeed was seen at the first Cabinet Meeting.
Under the Liberal Democrat Proposals it is envisaged that their will be a 30 minute question time for members of the public at the beginning of the meeting and that people will also be able to contribute where appropriate to the debate as the meeting progresses. The proposals also allowed for an officer update and for four advisory members to be co-opted on to the Panel.
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Commenting on the decision Liberal Democrat Co.-Chair of Community Overview Panel Cllr Julie Haines said
"The aim of these measures was to ensure that the public can have maximum input into the Council. Over the coming year we will be constantly monitoring this method of working and examining options of improving still further the involvement of the residents in the work of this panel."
And Liberal Democrat Co-Chair Rolson Davies added
"It is our hope that the way the new Community Overview Panel operates will encourage many of the other bodies in the new structure to follow suit in opening up Council meetings as much as possible. Good decisions are ones that are well informed and this can only help in ensuring the voice and concerns of residents and other organisations are heard."
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