School hosts Safer & Stronger Communities project launch
Despite a chilly day, the Safer & Stronger Communities launch saw more than 60 people attend St George’s Primary School on Wednesday (November 23).
The project is working across Telford to develop neighbourhood action plans that, with help from residents identify key concerns and provide measures to help resolve them with help from a neighbourhood co-ordinator.
Councillor Paul Watling, Cabinet Member for Safer & Stronger Communities said: “Having the event within the school was another great way to get different members of the community together.
“Thanks to everyone who came and contributed to the plans, their feedback is vital for ensuring the right solutions. We’ve talked about everything from parking to dog fouling to a library and even a large scale event for the community so we’ll see what we can achieve.
“The school wanted to host this event to show its commitment to the community and find ways to extend its facilities for wider use.”
Residents of all ages met with a host of community groups and teams from around the council including the Wildlife Trust, Dr Bike, the Marches Energy Group, representatives from the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) along with various other council services from Family Connect to the fostering team and job box offering support with training and job opportunities.
Headmistress at St George’s Primary School said: “It was great to have so many organisations in school for our families and the community to speak to.
“By holding it in the school, it meant parents and carers were easily able to attend in a convenient and safe place. The event was a fantastic way to show how we can come together as a community to try to improve services for all our residents.
“By holding it in the school, it meant parents and carers were easily able to attend in a convenient and safe place. The event was a fantastic way to show how we can come together as a community to try to improve services for all our residents.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Hearing the voice of communities is vitally important in shaping action moving forward. As PCC I am proud to invest in events like this one in St George’s where the public can have their say in building safer and stronger communities.”
Residents can meet directly with different teams to get plans in place quickly and funding to the value of £2.5m has been made available with Telford & Wrekin Council contributing £2 million to with an additional £500,000 invested from the Police and Crime Commissioner, spread across the two year length of the project.
Pictured l to r: St George's Councillor David Wright and Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Enforcement and Transport.