Information on Loughborough

Get involved in boosting community projects in Melton

Posted on 21/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

21 August 2009

Get involved in boosting community projects in Melton - 3 -

- 1 -

Public Relations Unit, Chief Executive’s Department

Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8RA

Telephone:  0116 305 6274      Fax: 0116 305 6266

www.leics.gov.uk

Residents in and around Melton can help choose how £60,000 will boost their local area, thanks to an innovative new project.

From September, community forums across Melton Borough will be holding Dragons' Den-style workshops where residents and community groups can pitch suggestions.

Each meeting will have £20,000 available for projects benefiting the local area and people are invited to come forward with exciting ideas.

This partnership money will be allocated in line with each forum's priorities - these vary but examples include making a safer environment, regenerating Melton town centre, supporting the local economy and developing opportunities for young people.

To get involved in spending the cash, people need to go along their local meeting where they will be able to share and discuss ideas and vote for their favourite.

Dennis Hurst who lives in Barsby and has an interest in different groups will be taking part in the Melton West workshop. He said: "I've circulated the information about the workshops to several people including Rotary colleagues and church members and would encourage as many people as possible to go along as they are a good opportunity to set up or expand worthy projects. I would be particularly keen for some of the money to be used to develop opportunities for young people."

Ernie White, Cabinet Member for Better Places, said: "We want residents to get involved in helping to decide how £20,000 of partnership money could improve their communities and are offering them the chance to come forward with suggestions and vote for their favourite.

"This is an innovative idea and I would encourage residents, businesses and local groups with ideas about a local project which needs a boost to get involved and have a hand in shaping their community."

Cllr Malise Graham, Chairman of Melton Community Forum, said: "Leicestershire Together has made available £60,000 for community projects in our Borough. Please go along to your relevant meeting and have a say in how this money is invested in our future."

Each session is free to attend and includes a finger buffet and refreshments. Places are limited so to book a place, please contact Paul Goodman on 0116 305 8015, email paul.goodman@leics.gov.uk or visit www.leicestershireforums.org .

Community forum dates are below - people are asked to arrive at 5.30pm for a 6pm start:

- Melton West - 3rd September at Ashby Folville Village Hall

- Belvoir - 28th September at Long Clawson Village Hall

- Melton Town - 12th October at Royal British Legion, Melton

There are three community forums in the borough and 27 across Leicestershire offering people a great opportunity to find out what is happening on their doorstep, give views, get answers to queries and influence local decision-making.

Since they started in January last year, over 2,500 people across the county have taken part and picked up the latest on services for older people, anti-social behaviour, eco-town proposals, grants, development plans, lorry routes, tackling crime, transport, housing, jobs, loan sharks, roads, community hospitals plus much more.

Three successful pilot workshops were held earlier this summer in Blaby District. Residents will be taking part in a final vote for their favourite at the district's three community forums this autumn.

Notes:

At the workshops, people will work together to discuss ideas, vote for their favourite and produce a shortlist of projects which could benefit from the money.

Following this, all the suggestions will be looked at in detail before people have the chance to take part in a final vote at community forums next spring.

A community forum is a meeting place for residents, local businesses, voluntary and community groups, councillors and service providers.

There are 27 forums across Leicestershire which bring together elected representatives across all tiers of local government - County, District and Borough and Parish, together with a range of other community representatives.

Community forums involve Leicestershire County Council, District and Borough Councils, NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland, Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Together partners

Although they do not have formal decision-making powers, forums are important bodies of influence - there is a 'duty to respond' to actions recommended.