28 April 2009, 09/90
Forum brings together key decision
makers
The new Edge Hill University / West Lancs
District Council Forum held its second formal business meeting last
week, bringing together key decision makers at both the University
and the Council.
A range of matters were discussed including
planning policy, freshers’ week, and issues arising from the
occupation of town centre properties by students along with
the needs and contribution of the wider student
population.
Bill Taylor, Chief Executive of the Council,
said: “The Forum is a really useful platform for Council and
community issues to be discussed with Edge Hill University and to
exchange information. The University provides an enormous economic
input into the district in general and Ormskirk in particular, but
we also need to recognise at the same time that it brings some
challenges.
“The Council made a number of practical
suggestions to the University about what actions might be taken to
address some of the issues raised by the community, and Edge Hill
is giving these further consideration.
“Finally, I was delighted to hear at first
hand the views of Mr Nic Bouchard, President of the University’s
Students Union, who demonstrated a mature and well-rounded
understanding of the role and expectations of students as part of
the community.”
Steve Igoe, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Resources
at Edge Hill University, said: "The University welcomes the ongoing
discussions at the forum and recognises the benefits that sharing
information with key stakeholders brings.
“A number of useful proposals were discussed
and the University and its students Union in conjunction with other
relevant partners will be considering how to implement these over
the coming weeks.
“The forum clearly recognises the significant
benefit that the University provides to Ormskirk and the North West
in terms of economic value and employment and the importance of
this, given the current challenging economic climate."
The next meeting of the Forum will take place
in approximately three months’ time. However, discussions on all
the action points are ongoing.
Related information