Area committees provide the opportunity for you to give your views and ideas for improving community life in your neighbourhood.

Area committees meet four times a year and there are four areas, representing the fourteen wards of the city.

• East Area Committeefor Abbey, Coleridge, Petersfield and Romsey wards
• North Area Committeefor Arbury, East Chesterton, King's Hedges and West Chesterton wards
• South Area Committeefor Cherry Hinton, Queen Edith's and Trumpington wards
• West/ Central Area Committeefor Castle, Market and Newnham wards

Area committees have a say in the decision making on the use ofdeveloper contributions. Developer contributions give more choice about improvements to community and sports facilities, open spaces and play areas.

Have your say at meetings

Open forum session

You can just turn up and have your say during this session, but notification in advance is also welcome.

Agenda items

Agenda items provide a structured approach for decisions that need to be taken about a range of matters.

If you wish to speak about an item other than planning (see below), try to tell us before the meeting. This allows the chair of the meeting to give you enough time to speak.

Proxy

You do not have to attend a meeting for the committee to consider what you want to say. You can ask the committee manager to raise an issue on your behalf.

You will then receive a response telling you what can be done, and when.

Petitions

We welcome public petitions: find out more about ourpublic petition scheme.

How you can make a difference

• Apply for funding (see below) for improvements to your community or to help local people.
• Policing priorities are discussed at every other meeting: find out more aboutpolicing and safer neighbourhoodsandeCops email notifications.

Area committee funding

Local residents and voluntary groups can apply to their area committee for funding for projects, activities or services.

Activities should benefit local people, especially those whose opportunities are restricted by disability, low income or discrimination.

Councillors decide on grant applications at the meetings in May or June and October or November. Applications that are received too late to take to committee meetings will be considered for any remaining funding.

Find out aboutgrants and fundingor emailgrants@cambridge.gov.uk for further information.

Environmental Improvement Programme

TheEnvironmental Improvement Programmefunds and delivers schemes that make a lasting and noticeable improvement to local streets and neighbourhoods.