What Are Local Community Forums?

A Borough-wide network of Local Community Forums has been established, one for each of the main towns in the Borough and their surrounding area, and one for the rural area forming the western part of the Borough.

The Council's approach to the Forums is:-

  • informal and user friendly;
  • to ensure that people have all the information possible to support decision-making and influential engagement;
  • to give local people and communities an improved opportunity to tell us their views and priorities;
  • based on working together with its key partners to present ourselves to the public in a clear way;
  • to improve the sustainability and well-being of people living and working in the area; and
  • consider matters of local concern.

Who is Involved?

The Council's primary partner is Derbyshire County Council.  Other key partners include:

  • Amber Valley Council for Voluntary Services (AVCVS)
  • Amber Valley Housing Limited
  • Derbyshire Constabulary
  • Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • NHS Primary Care Trust
  • Parish Councils
  • Rural Action Derbyshire

A member of the Council's Cabinet will lead the event and each event is represented by local Councillors and officers.

Local groups and organisations, including members of the Amber Valley Consultation Panel, are invited to attend the Forums. 

What happens at a Local Community Forum?

Most events are usually held in the evening and start at 7pm until 8.30pm.  The Western parishes event is usually held in the day time, starting at 10.30am until 12 noon - please check under the heading for each town on this webpage for up to date details of venues, dates and times.

Light refreshments will be provided before the event start.

You will have an opportunity to submit a question by completing a Question Sheet provided by Officers at the event (you can submit a question in advance of the event through our online facility or by contacting the Council’s Democratic Services Section on 01773 841636 for further details).

The event will consist of four main core sections, although the Programme may be extended to take into account particular local issues:

  • One to one session -  where Councillors, Officers, key partners and representatives will be available to discuss individual concerns with residents;

  • Question and answer session – when questions submitted will be considered and a response given.  If it is not possible for a response to be provided at the meeting, a written response will be provided within ten working days;

  • Feedback session – when feedback and updates on issues raised at the last Local Community Forum for that area can be considered; and 

  • Reflections – where you can indicate your thoughts on the event and your thoughts and topics for future events.

Your Local Community Forum is not the place for discussing planning applications or local licensing applications.  This is because there are already well-defined public consultation and appeal procedures in place for these matters.

What happens after the Local Community Forum?

If you have submitted a question or comment, you will receive a written response within ten working days.

A short feedback report will be produced for the Council’s Cabinet.

An action-monitoring document will be produced, showing the status of items raised at the Forums and this will be available to view on this webpage.

The key partners will produce a “You Said We Did” document once a year to highlight how they are responding to issues raised at the events and this will be published on this webpage.








Where and When are the Forums?
Forum Location Date & Time


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