Neighbourhood team reveals radical plans (From Northwich Guardian)
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Neighbourhood team reveals radical plans
8:50am Monday 6th September 2010 in News
Steve Newson, MP Graham Evans and Clr George Miller at Rudheath Community House Picture: Beth Allcock b103602
RUDHEATH Community House was the venue for a meeting to discuss plans for the area, with MP Graham Evans also dropping in for an update on progress.
At a meeting of the neighbourhood management project, Steve Newson, neighbourhood manager for Rudheath and Witton Together, said he wanted to make the MP for Weaver Vale aware of what the eight-man neighbourhood board was trying to achieve.
He highlighted the ‘quite radical’ idea of public ownership of services at the neighbourhood level, and stressed now was the time to get the residents of Rudheath and Witton on board, as infrastructure had been put in place.
Community groups, councillors, parish councillors, MPs and volunteers will all play a crucial role in this, and are encouraged to get in touch.
Steve said: “One of the benefits of neighbourhood management is to start to build relationships at a neighbourhood level.
“We, as a neighbourhood board, are ready to start moving forward.
“We now need to increase the profile of neighbourhood management and start getting the message out that we are ready to do it.
“We are serious about what we are trying to do and we have got to start making things happen.”
Steve added: “We want the community to start to believe this will happen, and it will just take off.”
Clr George Miller, a Rudheath resident, also attended the meeting at 38 Cotebrook Road and said: “Sometimes people are prepared to accept their lot.
“It’s about raising that level of aspiration and harnessing a bit of energy.
“It is about how we get the community engaged, and as a theme for this area, I personally believe children and education should be at the heart of it.”
The MP agreed and highlighted how this approach had worked in Halton, with a focus on children of primary school age.
The neighbourhood events committee is busy planning its next activity, The Big Skate.
This event will be held over the Hallowe’en weekend, from October 30 to October 31, on the tennis courts at Rudheath Leisure Centre.
A local neighbourhood forum is also planned for September.
To contact Steve, call 01606 42126, or email steve.newson@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
