Agenda item

Members of the Forum considered a consultation document which proposed to create a national body which it was hoped would provide local access forums with a single voice on issues of national concern.

Members felt that it would be difficult to find agreement on issues of national concern due to all local access forums having different needs and issues for consideration. It was also felt that maintaining the local voice was much more important than a national voice.

It was felt that local access forums had greater influence as a collective group of Forums, which would be reduced if it was turned into a single voice.  Concern was also expressed that regional groups tended to have a low turnout, and it would be difficult to encourage members to attend national meetings without the resources available.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the contents of the report be noted; and

b)    That the proposal as outlined in the report be rejected by the Forum.