Harlescott / Heath Farm residents to have their say

Press release - 3 September 2007

Harlescott and Heath Farm residents get chance to have their say

Residents of Harlescott and Heath Farm in Shrewsbury can once again have their say about issues important to them, at the annual “Let’s Talk” meeting being run by their local councils on Thursday 20 September at The Grange Learning Centre, Grange School & Arts Centre, Mount Pleasant Road, starting at 7.00pm.

People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to the meeting, at which local councillors from Shropshire County Council and Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council will listen to comments and concerns raised by local people, and answer their questions.

People will be able to raise any issue, and it is expected that discussions may cover subjects including traffic and estate parking, the Shrewsbury north west relief road, recycling and waste collection, drug-related issues, young people’s recreation, and tidyness.

Jim Hawkins of BBC Radio Shropshire has agreed to chair the meeting.

Comments can be made during a question and answer session, as well as in workshop groups, and the issues raised at the meeting will then help to shape planning at each of the councils.

Eileen Sandford, Shropshire County Councillor for Harlescott and Heath Farm, said: “The annual Let’s Talk meeting offers local people a unique opportunity to meet councillors from all of their local councils, and all at the same time. It also provides councillors with a great opportunity to find out about the issues of interest and concern to local people and to get things done.”

Vernon Bushell, Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Councillor for Harlescott, added: “More than 30 people attended the Let’s Talk meeting held in 2006, and we hope an even greater number will come along this year. We are particularly keen to see more young people at this year’s meeting, as we would like to hear about the issues that matter to them.”

The meeting will begin with a brief report on what has been done over the past twelve months in response to issues raised last year. Everyone attending will be given feedback afterwards, telling them what the councils have done as a result of the meeting.

This is one in a series of 27 “Let’s Talk” meetings being held across Shropshire before the end of October. Entry to each meeting is free and refreshments will be provided.

ENDS

For further information, call Shropshire County Councillor Eileen Sandford on (01743) 860156 and Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Councillor Vernon Bushell on (01743) 363878
For media contact, call Nina Dunmore, Locality Officer, tel (01743) 252718.