I SHARE Mike Ford's disappointment that there have been no Area Forum meetings since before this year's elections, although the new ward boundaries were known some months before that.

The previous administration did not feel they should impose arrangements on what could be a very different council, and I will not be too critical of them for that.

Under the council's constitution, arrangements for Area Forums must be approved by the full council. The new administration was appointed on June 30, and immediately started working on establishing new Forums. The first meeting of the full council after that is on September 1, and I can assure Mr Ford that proposals to establish new Forums will be put to that meeting. If approved, the new Forums could meet for a few weeks after that.

Our proposals will attempt to make the Area Forums more local and relevant. We also intend to extend consultation about issues such as standards of service and levels of Council Tax.

Roger G C Hayes

Executive member for direct services and area working

Without going over old ground, t