Rossendale Neighbourhood Forums meeting with a focus on Prevent

Rossendale residents and representatives of local community groups are invited to attend their local Neighbourhood Forum meeting to find out more about local services and activities and events in their area.

There are four Neighbourhood Forums in Rossendale covering Haslingden, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Whitworth.  The Forums, which are open to all local residents, are informal community meetings to allow networking and information sharing and any agreed action points.  They are attended by representatives from local community groups, local councillors and the Police usually attend.

The Forum meetings in Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Bacup will have a focus on the Government’s Prevent Strategy at their next meeting, which is about stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.  The meetings will include a short session on the background to Prevent, why it is important, some examples of radicalisation & why people get radicalised, why the role of the local community is important & how to report concerns.

Robert Grigorjevs from Burnley Council who will present the Prevent item said “These sessions will inform people of the importance of keeping our communities safe and secure. There is a lot of change occurring in the world at the moment which has the potential to undermine our way of life and harm our communities. This session is an opportunity to get a better awareness of the threats we face and discuss how you think they affect your community”

The Neighbourhood Forums meet three times a year with the next meetings as follows:

• Rawtenstall Neighbourhood Forum 26 January at 6.30pm at St Paul’s Centre, Back Constable Lee, (off Burnley Road),
• Haslingden Neighbourhood Forum 31 January at 6.30pm at Haslingden Community Link, Bury Road, Haslingden.
• Bacup Neighbourhood Forum 2 February, 6.30pm in the Council Chamber at Futures Park, Bacup.
• Whitworth Neighbourhood Forum 14 February at 6.30pm at Whitworth Civic Centre.

As the Home Office have provided funding for the prevent sessions, hot food will be served at the Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Bacup Forums from 6.15pm.

The Neighbourhood Forums also have grants of up to £500 available for local community projects and groups.

For more information about Neighbourhood Forum meetings and Neighbourhood Forum Grants see www.rossendale.gov.uk or contact Alison Wilkins on 01706 252593 / alisonwilkins@rossendalebc.gov.uk