The Council is replacing the out dated system of Area Forums with 5 Area Boards and new forms of public engagement.

Each Area Partnerships (board) will have oversight of all public sector service delivery in their area to ensure the public get quality services when they need them. It will meet 4 times per year (quarterly).

Each Area board will be made up of a collection of Wards typically 4 or 5 wards.

The 21 Wards will each have a Ward Panel which will monitor services and address local concerns.

The Area Boards will have annual conferences will provide an opportunity for engagement on area-based strategic priorities.

There will be a range of opportunities for ward-level engagement activity to identify and address local priorities at least three times a year.

Importantly, from a Central ward perspective, there will be a separate structure for the Town centre with a defined boundary.