Neighbourhood Forums play an important part in local democracy. They work alongside local councillors but Forums are not alternatives, or replacements, for councillors:
- Councillors – are elected at local elections at which everyone who is registered, can vote. They are nearly always a member of a political party – although independent candidates can also stand for election. Their job is to represent the people of the ward in decisions made by the City Council. They are the most important part of representative local democracy.
- Neighbourhood Forums – are participative: everyone who wants to get involved, should be able to. Forum members may, or may not, be members of political parties, but forums are non-party political. Their job is to help everyone to get involved in decisions about the area (not just about Council services). Forums are a key part of participative local democracy.
Understanding the differences can help councillors and forums to work together effectively:
- Local councillors represent about 25,000 people. The average neighbourhood forum covers about 5,000 residents. Forums have even more of a neighbourhood focus than councillors.
- There are three councillors for each area in Birmingham, but only one neighbourhood forum in each area. Forums should be open to people with different views about local issues.
- Councillors are elected, forums depend on getting (and keeping) people involved. Forum committees can make decisions by voting, but they often make decisions by ‘consensus’. That is, making sure everyone is OK with a decision before it is agreed.
Forums should invite all three local councillors (more if you cover more than one ward) to public meetings along with Council officers and other people who are responsible for local services and decisions. Councillors and officers – like anyone else – should be treated with respect, but they are not ‘in charge’ of Forum meetings: the chair is. You can invite councillors and officers to forum committee meetings if you want or provide them with notes of your committee meetings. A list of councillors and the wards they represent is available via the Birmingham City Council website.
Hustings – local election meetings
Some Neighbourhood Forums organise hustings (election meetings) so that residents can meet, and question, the candidates standing to become a local councillor. There are some rules to follow when organising such a meeting. Guidance on organising an election hustings is available on the link below.