Information on Loughborough

Help boost community projects in North West Leicestershire

Posted on 30/09/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

30 September 2009

Help boost community projects in North West Leicestershire

North West Leicestershire residents can help choose how £60,000 will boost their local area, thanks to an innovative new project.

During October and November, community forums across the district 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.

The money, from agencies who provide public services and lead by the County Council, will be allocated in line with broad priorites for the area including boosting health, improving safety and creating more opportunities for children and 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.

Ernie White, County Council Cabinet Member for Better Places, said: "We want residents to get involved in helping to decide how £60,000 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."

Councillor Trevor Pendleton, Community Champion for North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "This new initiative is a wonderful opportunity for all community groups to come forward with their ideas and suggestions.

"So if you’re a local resident, why not come along and have your say on how your local community will benefit by voting for your favourite?"

Each session is free to attend and includes a finger buffet and refreshments. Places are limited so to book a place, please contact Victoria Bowers at the County Council on 0116 305 8169, email victoria.bowers@leics.gov.uk or visit www.leicestershireforums.org .

Community forum dates are below - people are asked to arrive at 5pm for a 5.30pm start:

- Coalville - Monday, 19th October at Snibston Discovery Park

- Valley - Monday, 26th October at Belton Village Hall

- Ashby Area - Monday, 23rd November at Ivanhoe College in Ashby

There are three community forums in North West Leicestershire 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 are 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.