Come and talk to us – that’s the message from City of York Council politicians and officers as they kick off a series of “community conversations”.
A survey found that residents wanted more face-to-face meetings with the council. The community conversations initiative will see city leader James Alexander, a Cabinet member, ward councillors and senior council officials visit each ward in the city.
The events will last two hours, between 6pm and 8pm. The second hour will be given over to a question and answer session with Cllr Alexander.
Designed to be fun and informal, the events will enable community groups to set up stalls showcasing their work in a temporary “market place”.
The first community conversation takes place on February 5 in the Haxby & Wigginton ward.
The council wants to listen more to what residents and local organisations think about the needs of their neighbourhoods, said chief executive Kersten England.
“We want to support community life in this city. We want to meet residents in their communities, to discuss volunteering opportunities in their local ward and to hear about the great work already taking place in their community,” she said.
“It will provide a regular opportunity for residents to talk to us directly about the issues they face and the York they would like to see in the future.
“We can only make life better for people in this city if we are working with them to do this.”
Places and times
So far, community conversations are scheduled at the following places. All events take place between 6pm and 8pm:
Haxby & Wigginton ward Ralph Butterfield School, Wednesday, February 5
Westfield ward The Gateway Centre, Thursday, February 13
Hull Road ward St George’s Methodist Church, Monday, March 10
Clifton Clifton Parish Church, Monday, March 24
Heworth Without ward Christ Church, Stockton Lane, Wednesday, April 9
More will be added in due course – check the council’s community conversations web page.