Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

What can WC do to listen to your views?

The move to one council and the loss of the local district councils created a democratic deficit in Wiltshire.

Now the council is reviewing its constitution and is giving an opportunity for people to say what they think about the way the council engages with the public and parish and town councillors.

Wiltshire Council's constitution sets out how the council operates, how it is accountable to local people and how decisions are made. The constitution is supposed to facilitate efficient, effective and open decision making, to ensure public accountability for decisions, and to improve the delivery of services to the community.

At the moment people can raise concerns with their local councillor; attend all council meetings, ask questions, make a statement or present a petition at meetings, find out about the council's forward plan, inspect its accounts and make their views known to the external auditor, and make complaints against a councillor or co-opted member.

Although large parts of the constitution are based on legal obligations, a number of areas are discretionary and the council would very much like to know what people think by completing a short survey.

All the comments will be taken into account during the review. The survey questions focus on public involvement in the council's decision making process, although people can comment on any aspects of the constitution.

The survey can be viewed at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/consultationonconstitution

The whole constitution document is available at http://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13101&path=0

For further information contact Yamina Rhouati on 01225 718024 or email Yamina.Rhouati@wiltshire.gov.uk