Let’s get together

People can have a say on improving their local area with the launch of four Community Partnerships.

The Community Partnerships for Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Whitworth replace Rossendale Council’s Neighbourhood Forums which were set up ten years ago.

The partnerships will have a greater focus on how communities can work with Rossendale and Lancashire councils, the police, voluntary groups and others to make positive changes in their areas.

Each partnership will meet three times a year and will draw up their own priorities around themes such as transport, health and wellbeing, community safety and leisure and volunteering.

Funding will be available for projects and activities which meet the priorities.

The meetings are informal and open to anyone. The first ones all take place at 6.30pm and the dates and venues are:

• Haslingden – Monday, June 11, Veterans in Communities, Bury Road, BB4 5PL
• Rawtenstall – Thursday, June 14, Rawtenstall Unitarian Church, Bank Street, BB4 7QW
• Whitworth – Thursday, June 21 , Whitworth Library, Lloyd St, OL12 8AA
• Bacup – Thursday, July 5, the Council Chamber, Futures Park, OL13 0BB.

Councillor Barbara Ashworth, Rossendale Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, Housing, Communities and Customers, said:

The Community Partnerships are an opportunity for people to help make a difference in the places where they live and work.

Rather than having talking shops which update people on what is happening, people will have a real say in setting out the priorities for their communities and implementing them.

Find out more about the Community Partnerships here or contact Jackie Flynn on 01706 252532 or communitiesteam@rossendalebc.gov.uk