The Community Action Team is a council service helping people to engage with Shropshire Council. Community action is centred around people and communities. Our work enables residents to have a greater stake in the community in which they live. It is about the council and its partners working together with the community to improve the quality of life for everyone in Shropshire.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the team.
Community Action Officers
What is a community action officer, what do they do and how can we get in touch with them?
Community action officers seek to empower individuals and groups of people by providing them with the skills they need to effect change in their own communities. They help people take part in this process.
There are 28 local joint committees in Shropshire, and each area has a community action officer, who helps to enable and empower communities to develop their own projects.
You can contact your local officer via the links on this page.
We are thinking of undertaking a parish plan and need some advice on how to carry out the plan
The Community Action Team can support you in doing your parish plan in partnership with staff from the Community Council of Shropshire. A number of communities in Shropshire are currently developing parish plans with the support of community action officers.
Local Joint Committees
What is a local joint committee?
Local joint committees (LJCs) are legally constituted, decision-making committees of Shropshire Council. They comprise local Shropshire councillors and representatives from each town or parish council within the LJC area.
There are 28 LJCs in place across the county. Each LJC meets two or three times a year and gives people a chance to meet with their local councillors, and to raise issues of concern about their communities.
How will I know which local joint committee area I live in, and when my LJC meets?
Details of the local joint committee areas and meeting dates are available on the Local Joint Committees section of this website.
Can the Community Action Team address community safety issues, such as anti-social behaviour?
Yes, the community action officers work with other council departments, and external partners such as the police and fire service, to address community safety issues.
I run a small community group and I've heard that funding is available from my LJC. Is this correct, and if so how do I apply?
Yes, your LJC does have money to award to community projects. Please contact the Community Action Team who will advise you on whether your project is eligible for this funding and how to apply. We will also give advice on any alternative funding that might be available. You will also find details on projects already supported by the LJCs on the Local Joint Committee webpages.
If the LJC only meets two or three times a year how will I get feedback from the meeting?
Feedback is available at the next meeting of the local joint committee. For some issues, press releases and news updates will be provided. Otherwise, updates will be available on the website and from the community action officer.
Funding and information
Who do we speak to if we need a grant for our village hall or community group?
Funds for local projects are available through the local joint committees. The community action officers will be able to advise you on how to apply for these funds. There are also a number of other external grants available to support community projects, and the community action officers will be able to advise you on who to contact to apply for these funds. They can also help you develop your funding application.
I run a business, or am planning to start up a business, in Shropshire. Where can I go to get help or advice?
Contact Delia Yapp on 01743 252597 or Peter Wilson on 01743 252259 in the Business and Enterprise Support Team of Shropshire Council.