Community Conversation
Immediately after the election, the members of Hartlebury Parish Council wanted to find out what was required in the Parish and realised the only way to gain that knowledge was a to ask the residents.
The Business Liaison & Events Advisory Group were tasked with putting together an event where the councillors could meet with the residents and listen to what they had to say. A date was set for Wednesday 27th September 2023.
An open plan format was adopted, with ‘drop in’ stations at tables around the room which covered different aspects and topics. Councillors were at hand to chat to attendees in an informal way whilst folks enjoyed complementary refreshments.
Subject headings on the tables were:
Comms. which covered anything to do with the HPC website, social media, live streaming of Council meetings, noticeboards, mobile signals & broadband, music activities and possibly linking local job vacancies for local people on the HPC website.
Recreation covering anything to do with sport, such as the Parish Games, fishing, walking football, walking netball, rambling & walking and motoring (car show, car treasure hunts, radio controlled cars, car boots, etc.)
Planning which incorporated heritage, history & The Parish Plan, listed buildings, parish history, archeology, the Castle and any planning questions.
Social Scene for All with ideas for the whole community such as dental & medical centres, repair shop, adopt Hartlebury station, first aid courses, drama, Scouts & Guides, crèche facilities, quiz nights, bingo, scarecrow weekend, Men in Sheds, preloved swap-shop, an ice-rink for Xmas, etc.
Crime & Road Safety to include speeding, parking, VAS, security cameras, ASB, littering & fly tipping issues.
Environmental Issues covering recycling bins, compost bins, incinerator visits, possible energy saving ideas swap-shop, and issues such as mud on Station Road, dog poo, anything that the lengthsman might deal with, etc.
Each table had a noticeboard with the topic title as a header and ‘thought balloons’ arranged underneath printed with key prompt words. These were replicated on the tables so that attendees could write out and place post-it notes against one of the balloons leaving their suggestions or comments. There was also questionnaire forms that, when completed, could be placed in a post box.
It was a well attended event, with over 45 attendees, and the councillors were delighted with the positive response. They were further encouraged by so much feedback and are now in the process of collating all the information.
This outcome will certainly be of great help going forward and the findings will be used for the future planning. Full details of the collated information will be published on this website.
Signed: Cllr Chris Neale
Chair ~ Business Liaison & Events Advisory Group
