I was at the South West area forum today and it was a subdued affair, rather to be expected when you have it in the middle of the day.  I had to plead quite a lot to change my hours and work at home to accommodate it.  As it was in Austin Street it was great to see some old faces (including the Larters) and a couple of new people as well.

Anyway the meeting had a presentation about the Big Society, and I had a chance to buttonhole one of the decision makers who decided to decommission the Iceni project.  That deserves its own post.  It makes me angrier each time I learn something new about it.

The next presentation was on the gritting operation, and some of the earliest readers of this blog know that I have something to say on that.  Again there will be a separate post on how to get a grit bin in your road if you are not on the gritter route.  Proper Big Society stuff.

Finally there was a talk from the Police about the crime.  I really appreciate the police involvement in these meetings.  After the meeting I tackled the police on the issue about the vandalism in the public spaces in the Maidenhall Estate, including the Stoke Green Baptist church and the Community gardens.   I was relieved to find out that this was something that the police were aware of (although it’s not one of their priorities) and that they were both treating it as more than a collection of separate incidents and they also shared my concern that this could get more serious – indeed it was already very serious.

A surprisingly productive hour and a quarter.

From the South West Area Safer Neighbourhood Team:

South West Ipswich residents are invited to attend the Bridge Ward Social Club, Austin Street, Ipswich at 11am on Tuesday 14th December for the latest Area Forum meeting. Present will be representatives from your Safer Neighbourhood Team to listen to concerns and report back on the latest priorities and performance.

Everyone welcome.

Regards
South West Ipswich Safer Neighbourhood Team

There will also be discussions about what the Big Society means and the gritting plans.

From the email.  Note that this is in day time:

Dear Forum Member/Area Resident

The next South West Ipswich Area Forum will be happening on:

South West Ipswich Area Forum

2010 at 11.00am

Bridge Ward Social Club – 68, Austin Street

We have an interesting discussion for you on this date.  Tibbs Pinter (Community Cohesion Co-ordinator, Ipswich Borough Council) will be leading a debate about the “Big Society”.  We need many of you to attend this as possible as we need your ideas to explore just what this new idea means to Ipswich Communities.

Bob Clench, Team Leader for Maintenance  (IBC – Highways and Construction) will be talking to you about the Winter Gritting programme as well as a new scheme that you may like to take part in.

The Police will be asking you to choose the Priorities in your ward via their interactive voting system.

As always, there will be the opportunity to chat with Officers, Councillors, partner agencies, neighbours and friends during the Info-Break and share your concerns.  As always, please bring your neighbours, friends, family.  So, come on, get involved and have your say.

Children are more than welcome to attend – we have activity sheets and coloured pens to keep them happy and occupied.  However, please note that because no crèche facilities are available children will have to be supervised by the adults they come with.

Yours sincerely

Val Peacock

(Community Development Officer)