Ref: PR 2895
Date: 03/02/2011

The Wakefield Together Partnership will hold the second round of area forums for citizens and those who work in the district in February and March.

These area-based forums, which take place three times a year across the district, are a way for citizens to have their say about keeping neighbourhoods a place where they want to continue to live and be proud of.

The Partnership established the forums in seven areas across the district in November as a platform for service providers such as the Council, Police, Fire Service, NHS and Wakefield and District Housing to consult with citizens, councillors, voluntary and community groups about service delivery and issues that matter to them. The areas are Castleford, Pontefract & Knottingley, South East, Normanton & Featherstone, Wakefield Central, Wakefield North West and Wakefield Rural.

A common theme which emerged from a number of the forums in November was about community safety and based on this, the Partnership felt it was important to find out more this issue. Therefore the forums in February and March will consult with Citizens about community safety priorities. This will then feed into the community safety plan which will shape how and what services the Partnership will deliver in the future.

Cllr Olivia Rowley, Wakefield Council's Cabinet member for Communities and the Environment said: "At the forums in November, safety in the community was one of the key areas which people identified as a priority and therefore the next forums will have this as its focus to find out more about these issues.

"I would continue to encourage people to attend these forums as it is only by listening to both residents and those who work in the district, that the Partnership can effectively work towards delivering key services to help make neighbourhoods a place where people want to live and continue to take pride."

Chief Superintendent Marc Callaghan, Divisional Commander of Wakefield District Police and Chair of Wakefield Community Safety Partnership, said:

"Crime continues to go down across the Wakefield district as we continue to work hard alongside our partners in local communities to tackle the issues which concern them most. This is another excellent opportunity to speak with local people and residents and identify how we can continue to support them."

The dates and times of the forums are:

• 16 February, Town Hall, Wakefield, 6.30-8.30pm
• 17 February, Town Hall, Ossett, 6.30-8.30pm
• 1 March, Civic Centre, Castleford, 6.30-8.30pm
• 2 March, Agbrigg & Belle Vue Community Centre, 6.30-8.30pm
• 3 March, Town Hall, Pontefract, 6.30pm-8.30pm
• 7 March, Freestone High School, Normanton, 6.30-8.30pm
• 8 March, Sacred Heart Church, Hemsworth, 6.30-8.30pm

To find out more, call 01924 306776 or email areaworkingarrangements@wakefield.gov.uk or visit www.wakefieldtogether.org.uk 
 
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