Information on Loughborough

Get involved in boosting community projects in Charnwood

Posted on 24/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

24 August 2009

Get involved in boosting community projects in Charnwood - 2 -

- 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

Charnwood residents can help choose how £140,000 will boost their local area, thanks to an innovative new project.

From September, area forums across the 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 improving health, creating greener environments, developing opportunities for young people and supporting town centres.

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.

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."

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 .

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

- Quorn, Barrow, Sileby and the Wolds - 9th September at Walton on the Wolds Village Hall

- Loughborough East - 17th September at Woodbrook Vale High School

- Syston, Thurmaston and Wreake Villages (South Charnwood) - 7th October at Rearsby Village Hall

- Loughborough South West - 15th October at Mountfields Lodge Primary School (please arrive at 6pm for a 6.15pm start)

- Bradgate, Rothley, Mountsorrel and Birstall - 26th October at Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall

- Shepshed and Hathern - 2nd November, venue to be confirmed

- Loughborough North West - 3rd November at All Saints' Church Hall

There are seven area 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.