Residents are being encouraged to develop their own ideas for improving their community by making it safer, greener or cleaner, and submit their proposals to WMNT. Each neighbourhood will then have a chance to consider the proposals and vote for them at their own community event.
Melanie Rollinson, Liveability Co-ordinator at WMNT, said; “We will be working with groups and individuals in the community to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in U Choose and take a lead in local decision-making. Help will be available from the Trust with getting proposals together. What we want is for people to take ownership of the projects that matter to them and if they can convince their community to vote for them, we’ll work together to make it happen.”
U Choose is WMNT’s own take on participatory budgeting, part of the Government’s drive to devolve more decisions to local communities. The idea was then developed by WMNT’s Neighbourhood Management Group which has brought together residents from the three neighbourhoods to look at issues, work with agencies to address issues, pilot initiatives, and share experience across West Middlesbrough.
Linda Broadhead, OBE, Chair of WMNT’s Board, believes that U Choose can make a real difference to how residents feel about their community:
“This scheme is a fantastic way to widen community involvement and build the capacity of residents to tackle their own neighbourhood issues. The concept is about far more than a pot of cash – it’s about developing new ways for local people to bring about improvements to their own neighbourhoods.”
“A lot of work is already going on with the police, council and other agencies to improve the environment and safety of the area. This funding is designed to complement that work by providing quick solutions to problems. We want West Middlesbrough people to set the standard for other areas of the town to aspire to.”
£20,000 had been allocated to each of the three neighbourhoods and will be shared between successful projects, as voted for by residents. There will be a £10,000 cap on each proposal. Residents can submit applications between now, and 30th May 2008, with the neighbourhood voting events taking place in July.
You can pick up an application form now, from WMNT at Melbourne House, phone us on 01642 230555 to receive one in the post, or download one from our website: www.wmnt.co.uk
Ends.
Press Notice WMNT222. 01/05/08.
Note to Editor: Melanie Rollinson, Liveability Co-ordinator for WMNT is available for telephone interview. Please contact WMNT to set up interview.
Issued by Rachel Baker, Marketing Development Manager on (01642) 757 870.