Do you think ‘something should be done’ to improve your area?

Do you want to see changes in your local community? Do you think ‘something should be done’ to improve your area?

If you do, then neighbourhood boards are how you can make your voice count.

Five neighbourhood boards covering the whole borough of Blackburn with Darwen were launched in November 08 to give local residents more say in how services are delivered in their community.

The boards have money to spend on local projects and initiatives and they make sure action is happening on neighbourhood priorities.

In just under a year the boards have made a massive difference to their communities, allocating funds to areas where they are most needed.

Each board has between 10 and 15 members and the Council is now looking for residents from the local community who may be interested in signing up to declare an interest. Could it be you?

“The neighbourhood boards are there to make sure local government really is meeting local needs,” said Councillor John Slater, executive member for neighbourhoods and customer service.

“We started off asking people about priorities in their area and used that feedback to draw up neighbourhood action plans. We then set up area agency partnerships (AAPs) made up of Council officers and representatives from our partner organisations to work on those plans and deliver changes.

“The boards have completed the picture, by keeping a strategic eye on how the AAPs are doing and what progress is being made on the action plans. The boards guide their work, discuss and decide on further local priorities and use their budgets for local initiatives and projects.

‘Neighbourhood Voices’ meetings have also taken place twice a year, giving residents the chance to comment on the boards’ plans and help decide what needs to be done over the next six months.

The neighbourhood boards are made up of people chosen from the local community, local councillors and the chair of the area agency partnership.

For more information or to register your interest in joining one of the neighbourhood boards contact Wendy Ruggieri on (01254) 588882 or email wendy.ruggieri@blackburn.gov.uk