Local Labour Councillors have raised concerns at what they see as a move by the Conservative Council to "mainstream" and "unify" the various resident-led community groups and forums in the city. These include Local Action Teams, where members get to have their say on issues such as local Policing priorities.

Fears were expressed that the move is  part of a money saving exercise that would see more control imposed from the council as to how many groups would receive ongoing support with a centrally driven plan for their work programmes.

Leader of the Labour Group and member of the Governance Committee, Cllr Gill Mitchell said:
“Local Action Teams have proved to be a popular and effective way of involving local residents in improving their neighbourhoods along with professionals from the Council and Police. Their very success is found in truly reflecting the differing needs of specific communities and any attempt to centrally direct their activity must be resisted.  

"Every effort should be made to keep Local Action Teams and other local organisations as a grassroots and bottom-up form of community engagement.”

The report on Community and Neighbourhood Engagement was put before the Governance Committee of the Council earlier this week.

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www.brightonhovelabour.com