GATCOM's Constitution

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Constitution

The Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM) is an advisory body constituted by BAA Gatwick in respect of Gatwick Airport in accordance with section 35(1) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (as amended by the Airports Act 1986) which states:-

"This section applies to any aerodrome which is designated for the purposes of this section by an Order made by the Secretary of State. The person having the management of any aerodrome to which this section applies shall provide:-

for users of the aerodrome,
for any local authority (or, if the persons having the management of the aerodrome is a local authority, any other local authority) in whose area the aerodrome or any part thereof is situated or whose area is in the neighbourhood of the aerodrome, and
for any other organisation representing the interests of persons concerned with the locality in which the aerodrome is situated,

adequate facilities for consultation with respect to any matter concerning the management or administration of the aerodrome which affects their interests".

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Terms of Reference

Introduction

By virtue of its constitution and membership GATCOM seeks to reach a common understanding between the various interests about the nature and operation of the airport so that issues can be resolved amicably. It is therefore the custom and practice of the Committee to ensure that all views are properly reflected and, wherever possible, to work through consensus.

The Chairman of GATCOM is independent and appointed by BAA Gatwick in consultation with the Honorary Secretary. The Vice-Chairman is elected from within the body of the Committee.

GATCOM meetings are open to the members of the press and media and the public to observe the proceedings. In the event of matters of commercial or operational confidentiality/sensitivity requiring the Committee's attention, the Chairman of the Committee has the right to require the exclusion of the press, media and public without question from the Committee's proceedings.

The meetings of the GATCOM Steering Group and the Passenger AdvisoryGroup are only open to members of those committees.

The terms of reference of GATCOM are:-

1. To stimulate local interest in the airport.

2. To foster communication and build understanding between the airport and its users, local residents and the business community.

3. To consider and comment upon the impacts of the airport’s administration, operation and development in relation to:

The environment

Surface access issues associated with the airport

Employment

The local, regional and national economy

The circumstances of local communities and their residents.

4. To work with the airport in the preparation of a sustainable development strategy to accommodate the future growth of the airport and to promote that strategy across all airport communities.

5. To protect and enhance the interests of the users of the airport, with passenger related issues being considered through the appointment of a Passenger Services Sub-Committee.

6. To consider any matter referred to the Committee by BAA Gatwick or any member of the Committee with the prior consent of the Chairman.

7. To consider and, if appropriate, comment upon any factual and consultative reports, from Governmental and other sources, that are material to the future character, operation and development of the airport.

8. To nominate representatives of the Committee to serve its interests on BAA Gatwick's Noise and Track Monitoring Advisory Group (NaTMAG) and Ground Noise Committee and any other Group or outside body in respect of the work of the Consultative Committee.

*For more on the Committee's statutory background visit the website of the Liaison Group of Airport Consultative Committees

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GATCOM

Page last modified: 24th July 2008
Pictures by Stuart Innes