New Township Forums now under way

Date published: 15 September 2011

Six new Township Forums to give local people more of a say in their area are now up and running.

The forums were officially launched at Radcliffe on Tuesday (13 September) before the formal meeting, and the Whitefield and Unsworth forum also met that night.

The next meetings take place tonight (Thursday 15 Sep): Bury West (Elton Centre, Bury) and Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor (Ramsbottom Civic Hall). The final two meetings of the first cycle take place next Thursday (22 September): Prestwich (Longfield Suite, Prestwich) and Bury East (New Kershaw Centre, Bury).

Each forum will consist of councillors for the area plus an advisory group comprising local representatives from the business community, voluntary organisations and community groups. One position on each advisory group is reserved for a young person (aged 16–24).

The forums are designed to involve local people more in what happens in their communities, and to help determine local priorities and identify concerns in their area. They also have the power to ask the Leader of the Council to attend to explain council policy and decisions.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, executive member for communities, said: “I am delighted that our new Township Forums are finally up and running. I urge residents to come along to these meetings and play their part in making sure our borough thrives.”