|
|
|
|
The Cheshire Quality Forum (CQF) meets quarterly to discuss matters of interest and relevance to Quality Councils in Cheshire. Prior to the CQF held on 18th May 2006 there were five meetings deciding those areas of interest and best practice within the Quality Councils up to that point. At the May 2006 CQF the serious work of representing the Quality Councils and choosing the direction of the Forum began. There are many interests that Quality Councils in Cheshire have, not least of all is in clustering. In addition, service devolution or improvement via partnership working and double taxation (or how to reduce/avoid it) are hot topics, although most Cheshire Quality Councils are happy with the services that they carry out, especially those that are devolved from Principal Authorities. The difference between the first Quality Forum and present is the number of interested councils, with sixteen existing Cheshire Quality Councils and forty-six more actively pursuing the accreditation. The first Cheshire Quality Forum was held on Tuesday, 21st September 2004 at the headquarters of the Cheshire Fire Service. Feedback was very positive with one clerk stating "the event was very helpful and informative, and the format was just right." A presentation was given by each of the three Quality Councils in Cheshire and the sixteen aspiring councils at that time appear to have learned from and enjoyed those presentations. Three Forums were held in 2005 with the January and September sessions held at the same venue as above, with the third recognising the achievement of Helsby by being held in their Community Centre. This was the first "large" Forum, with ten of eleven Quality Councils represented. Whilst there is little doubt that this Forum will grow in importance, a major step forward was in the election of Stuart Hulse as the first Chairman of the CQF (March 2007). As an elected member of Helsby Quality Parish Council, as well as an active member of the ChALC Executive and Secretary to the Vale Royal Area Meeting of ChALC, Stuart is well aware of many of the issues affecting all councils, let alone just his own councils. For further information, look at the QPS Topics or contact Cheshire's Regional Development Officer, Chalky White. Apart from email, you can contact Chalky at the Association office or on 07768 934583.
|
|
|
