You think they're not listening - They are now!

Image by theparadigmshifter via Flickr

Don't you wish you could tell the police what they really ought to be spending their energy on in your area?

Wouldn't you like to tell those developers a thing or two about their projects - before it's too late for them to change their plans?

Well, you can!

Believe it or not, it's a lot easier these days to influence decisions affecting your local area than than you might imagine. Especially, if you've never tried, or if it's been some time since you last attempted it.

In fact, it's possible not only to have your say, but also to have it listened to and acted upon.

You can do it at the public meetings of your local community partnership and Safer Bristol. In the case of Old Market, the Easton Community Partnership and PACT meetings.

Here's an excerpt from the Community Safety page on the Bristol City Council website:

Community Safety is about delivering local solutions to local problems that have been identified by local people. [...]

Residents can raise their community concerns and priorities through PACT meetings (partners and communities together). This new approach called Partners and Communities Together (PACT) gives residents the chance to meet the team and influence priorities in your neighbourhood. [...]

You can do most of your complaining from the comfort of your own armchair!

For PACT Priorities, you can do it online here.

For planning or environmental issues, you can email or call Neighbourhood Facilitator, Matthew Cheney, at Easton Community Partnership:
Phone: 0117 377 3640
Email: matthew.cheney@eastoncommunitypartnership.org.uk

But it's much more fun to turn up at one of the meetings and get it off your chest in person.

The surprising thing (when you first try it) is that everyone listens and then passes your issues on to the right person in the council or police or whichever local partner(s) it needs to go to - even councillors and MPs.

Of course, you don't need to have anything to complain about - you may just wish to be more involved and influencial in what happens to your neighbourhood.

For Environment Issues: A chance to raise issues and concerns about the environment such as fly tipping, graffiti and dog fouling, and to work with the council to reduce the impact of this on the area.
All meetings are open to anyone.
Next meeting: 22nd July - 6-8pm, Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street (map)
If you'd like to join the mailing list contact matthew.cheney@eastoncommunitypartnership.org.uk

For Planning issues: Want to find out what new developments are planned for the area?
Interested in making sure any new planning applications will be of benefit to the community?
Come along to this resident group to discuss local planning applications and make recommendations to developers and the council.
All meetings are held at Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street. (map)
Next meetings: July 6-8pm. August 11th 6-8pm.
If you'd like to join the mailing list contact matthew.cheney@eastoncommunitypartnership.org.uk