Community Forums-Partners and Communities Together (PACT)

Community Forums are now PACT meetings (Partners and Communities Together). They were first introduced as Local Area Forums in 1999 and changed to Community Forums in 2005 to better reflect the nature and purpose of the Forums.

Herefordshire Council and its partners are committed to improving the way they engage with local residents and respond to the priorities and needs of local communities. For that reason, in November 2006, a pilot round of new-style Forums was held. There were nine pilot Community Forum areas, instead of the previous six. They were well-received and those attending responded well to the interactive format, featuring no presentations and little in the way of a set agenda.

From September 2007 the number of Forums increased from nine to twelve to respond better to the needs of the community, and from February 2008 the Forums became known as Partners and Communities Together - or PACT - meetings. The meetings will continue to allow people the chance to raise issues from their own communities directly with representatives from Herefordshire Council and its partners. The meetings will give a brief update on progress made towards addressing the issues raised at the previous meetings, as well as providing the opportunity to raise new issues. Representatives from some of the main agencies which run key services in Herefordshire - including Herefordshire Council and West Mercia Police - will be there. After the meeting they will consider what action needs to be taken to address the issues raised.

The Council and its partners are committed to improving the way they engage with local residents and respond to the priorities of local communities - but it is up to local residents to let them know what needs to be done. Meetings will take place in each of the twelve PACT areas at least four times a year. They are open to anyone living, working or spending time in the area. All meetings start at 7.00 p.m. Meetings normally last about an hour and a half. If you have any specific enquiries regarding individual meetings, please contact the PACT Organiser on (01432) 260167, or email: hlavelle@herefordshire.gov.uk