Council Democracy - Use it or lose it

What have Australia, Argentina and the Democratic Republic of Congo got in common and why am I using these countries as a theme for this post? All three countries, and there are others, employ a system of compulsory voting, where every adult has to vote and are fined if they do not do so. In an ideal world, you would think that having the democratic right to choose who best represents your views in Government would be cherished. Most people have heard of Emily Pankhurst's suffragette movement to secure equal rights for women. In the UK, perhaps in search of this ideal world, it remains up to the individual whether or not he can be bothered to turn up at the ballot box. But sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't be a better, more cohesive, society, if people were made to care a little more. Perhaps a system of compulsory voting would force people to take an interest in what is happening around them, and then maybe it's why Governments have shied away from putting compulsory voting on the political agenda. With 100% of the eligible electorate voting, it really would put Politicans under the spotlight and encourage greater accountability. As it stands, however, the recent by election in Oldham suggests that people remain as sceptical as ever towards politics and politicians, with a turn out of just 48%, down from 61% in May's general election.

In Rochford, our Councillors go to some lengths to ensure accountability and accessibility. Apart from speaking to your Councillor directly, regular public meetings are held throughout the Rochford District where the public can attend and ask questions about almost any subject of concern to them. These are known as Area Committees and are presently split geographically, East (Rochford and surrounds), Central (Hawkwell) and West (Rayleigh) and are held in Libraries, Public Halls and Churches on a 2 to 3 month frequency. Hypocritically, I've only attended a couple in recent months, and have raised issues concerning Coombes Farm, rubbish on paths along the Roach Valley and at Rochford station. Others have raised subjects including crime and planning issues. Representatives from the Police, Health Service, and Essex County Council often also attend to provide an update of their services, and answer residents' questions.

It is a great facility available to the community, yet the attendance figures suggest few people are aware that they take place or, if they are, uninterested in showing up. The Council, aware of this, and looking to make savings where they can, have undertaken a review of Area Committeee and the Council's Executive will decide next week, whether to act on the recommendation to change the shape and form of these forums altogether. Whilst the meetings will not be as accessible as previously, the proposal appears to focus on just Rayleigh and Rochford as future venues, the aim is to make them more user friendly in format. The name will change to Community Forum, and the intention is to make them less formal, yet still provide residents with a face to face opportunity to get a direct answer to their parking frustration, or youth nuisance issue, or whatever.

I hope this new format is supported by us residents, and indeed I hope the Council promote it widely. An announcement on the Rochford District Council website is not sufficient. I know, from my own experiences with the Coombes Farm campaign, that you need to go door to door when you want to get the message across. Another factor, is that the Council are under no legal obligation to hold these forums, and many other Districts do not provide such a facility. So, if the Council do their bit, and the invitations are extended, I hope that we will accept. Otherwise, within a very short space of time, they may cease altogether, and it really will only be us to blame for the loss of a valuable local democratic resource.