Southwark Council democracy commission

Southwark Council's democracy commission aims to bring the council closer to its residents, making it more accountable to them and more connected with their concerns. 

For its first task the Democracy Commission is looking at the Council Assembly. This is a public meeting of all 63 elected councillors sitting on the council, and is chaired by the Mayor of Southwark. Members of the public can attend in the public gallery, make deputations, present petitions and ask questions.

The democracy commission reviews what works well at these meetings and what the Council needs to keep. It also explores better ways for the Council Assembly to operate and new ways for the community to take part.  It makes it easier for the public to get their views heard, raise concerns and hold councilors to account.

The democracy commission reviews why, when and where the council has its full meetings (Council Assembly) and how to make these meetings more open and accessible to residents.  

The commission is involving residents, community leaders, academics, experts and other people who are active in Southwark, such as business leaders who have a stake in the Borough. It will then be making recommend changes to the rules set out in the Council Assembly's constitution as well as changes to the way the Assembly operates more generally.

Once it has completed its consultations it will produce a report and make recommendations to the October 2010 Council Assembly. It will then move onto the second stage of its work.