Making Your Ideas Count!
| Author: Jo Densley | Published: 17th March 2008 22:59 |
Making Your Ideas Count!
The North East Inner Area Committee held a fun event last Wednesday evening at the Family Learning Centre in Chapel Allerton where members of the Community were invited to come and decide what they think the money should be spent on in their area.
It was a meeting of the Chapel Allerton Ward Councillors, whom, alongside the Councillors elected in Moortown and Roundhay make up the Area Committee.
The Area Committee has a budget to spend on local priorities and the aim of Wednesday's meeting was for local residents to let them know what they feel are the most important issues to spend the budget on. The Area Delivery Plan is the action plan that make these things happen.
The event was a follow on from an event held last November where members of the Community decided what the priorities were in their area. For example they wanted anti-social behaviour to be tackled; the streets and public places to be cleaned; and more activities to be provided for young people.
Upon arriving at the event people were asked to visit the six themed tables:
- - Community
- - Community Safety
- - Kids & Young People
- - Health & Well-Being
- - Regeneration
- - Environment
Each display showed a summary of the ideas and problems identified by local residents along with suggested ways of tackling these problems. Ward councillors and officers, as well as Inspector Tony Reed were on hand to discuss any issues and to help everyone decide what the most important issues arefor the Area Committee to tackle.
The "Banker" then issued everyone with some monopoly money so that they could spend it on their priorities.
The idea behind the evening and indeed all Community Engagement Events is to create greater opportunities for local people to influence decision making. The contribution from community members on Wednesday evening will help shape next year's Area Delivery Plan.
Despite having an important aim, the evening was a fun event and everyone thoroughly enjoyed spending their money! A buffet was provided and there was a raffle with various prizes donated by local businesses.
