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Can you Play Your Part?

During October 2007 local people were invited to take part in a series of topical debates across Cheshire to help shape future plans for the Council and influence local decision making.

The main part of the discussions was around how local people can Play their Part in making a difference

As well as local issues, the focus was on three main issues:

• Climate Change
• Supporting and safeguarding your local community
• Influencing Local Services

Explains Head of Research and Intelligence Gordon Hamilton, who is taking the lead with this project:
 
“These are important issues of our time.  Public services can bring benefits to the lives of many people in need, but improving quality of life for the majority depends on support and involvement from local residents.

“That’s why it’s especially important that local people have an opportunity to explore how they can make a difference within their own communities.”

Local views have already helped shape the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities – with feedback from similar events last year helping our services prepare future plans.

See below for the dates, times, venues and outcomes of the discussions

Feedback From Participants at the Events 

Following attendance at the event feedback forms were completed by nearly 70% of participants.  The main observations were:

• Generally participants at the events agreed that the venue was easy to get to (89% agreed), satisfactory (83% agreed) and the refreshments were satisfactory (70%). 
• The majority of participants (82%) agreed that the information provided was easy to understand, the information was relevant (78%) and was well presented (74%).
• The group discussions showed them the difficulty of making decisions (60%), followed by improving knowledge of issues (44%) and helping explain service issues (40%). Around a quarter (26%) said it had encouraged them to do more to get involved. 
• The majority of respondents described the activities as interesting (74%), worthwhile (55%) informative (52%) and useful (47%), More than a third (34%) also said the events were involving. Only a small number felt they were a waste of time. 
• The sorts of things that people were encouraged to do more of included: explore more about energy saving in the home; recycle more; use more public transport; try to facilitate dialogue between young people; seek out voluntary work; become more involved with neighbours; ‘contact local parish council over issues raised tonight’.

And watch out for reports on outcomes of what you had to say in future issues of Your Cheshire.