Town's future up for discussion (From Daily Echo)

Town's future up for discussion

12:21pm Thursday 11th September 2003 in News By Eleanor Scotchbrook

RESIDENTS are being given the opportunity to help shape the future of Bishop's Stortford as part of a second round of consultation on the new community plan.

A public meeting at Bishop's Stortford High School in London Road at 7.30pm, on Wednesday, September 17, will give people the chance to express their views on issues such as traffic and transport, affordable housing, policing and community safety.

All the topics up for discussion were raised by residents at the first community planning meeting in July, which was attended by almost 100 people.

At next week's meeting, residents will be able to discuss various solutions to these issues. The responses will be used to help form a community plan for the town setting out actions for the next three years.

A draft version of the strategy is due to be launched for approval in November.

The meeting will be chaired by Bishop's Stortford deputy mayor Allen Burlton while council officers will be on hand to help aid the discussions and answer any queries.

East Herts Council has stressed that community planning is extremely important in helping the town move forward. Over the next few years the council will be working in partnership with other bodies to help deliver the strategy.

Mr Burlton said: "Local people play a vital role in the community planning process and I hope that we can build on the excellent work that has achieved by residents at the last meeting by coming up with solutions to the issues identified last time."

For more details, ring community planning and partnerships manager Alison Fox at East Herts Council on 01279 655261 or email alison.fox@eastherts.gov.uk.