22nd May 2007, 07/161
Fun day to find out how £3.7m is being spent in
Skelmersdale
To find out how £3.7million is being spent to improve parts of
Skelmersdale and have some fun into the bargain, why not head along
to a special event?
On Tuesday 29th May, between 11am and 4pm at Digmoor Community
Centre, residents will have a great opportunity to hear what has
been happening to make Digmoor, Moorside and parts of Tanhouse
cleaner, greener and safer.
The day will involve all partners coming along to tell the
community what has been happening since April 2006 when the West
Lancashire Local Strategic Partnership secured the £3.7m through
the Safer and Stronger Communities funding element of the
Lancashire Area Agreement.
Residents who come along will be able to hear about the story so
far and plans for the future because the windfall is available to
spend until 2010.
Margaret Highton, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Board, said: "We've
made great progress since the project first began. Neighbourhood
Manager Chris Skinkis and Neighbourhood Management Support Officer
Karen Warmington have been appointed and a 'Neighbourhood
Management Board' has been set up which comprises of a group of a
dozen elected residents and local politicians who have been chosen
to oversee the spending of the money. Together they have been
working for the community to ensure that any projects chosen meet
the needs of local residents."
So far some pathways, street lighting and underpasses have been
improved; a woodland walk with bird boxes and wildflowers has been
created along Beechtrees, Banksbarn and Belfield; a community park
is being developed at Banksbarn; local activities are getting a
boost; and extra people will be working in the neighbourhood to
help make it greener and safer.
Now the project is into its second phase and the board is working
with residents and agencies to ensure that the money continues to
be spent on priorities that matter to local people.
MP Rosie Cooper, Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership, said:
"This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to come along and
find out what has been happening in the area so far and the next
stages. Another list of projects will be given the go-ahead in a
bid to make these areas cleaner, greener and safer and we want to
know what the community thinks."
On the day there will be music, games, children's entertainment, a
bouncy castle, refreshments and the team will be on hand to talk
about the project and ideas about what the community thinks is best
for the area.
Cllr Geoff M. Roberts, Leader of West Lancashire District Council,
said: "I hope that lots of people take the opportunity to come
along to this special event because it's a chance to involve the
community in a fun, friendly and entertaining environment. It's a
chance for residents, families and young people to get involved and
enjoy themselves at the same time."
Anyone who would like more information about the free event or the
project in general can contact Chris Skinkis/Karen Warmington at
the Neighbourhood Management Office, on 01695 737808 or email
neighbourhood.management@westlancsdc.gov.uk.
Related information
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> Community
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