Community input gets even stronger
Kenilworth Community Forum continues to go from strength to strength, with local residents joining in to help shape the Forum and local decision making.
The last Forum, held on 8th March, produced some lively debate and feedback for Warwick District Council on the alternative sites recently suggested for housing development near Kenilworth.
Chair of the Community Forum, Cllr Pauline Edwards, said: “The District Council came along and presented the new sites to the Forum. Some very strong points of view came out through the discussion, and all the comments have been fed into the public consultation.”
A group of young people from Kenilworth Youth Centre came up trumps with a specially commissioned DVD, taking a humorous look at the relationship between different generations in the town.
The DVD called ‘Why can’t we all get along?’ used local people as actors and highlighted the misconceptions that groups can have about one another.
The Forum also spent the last of its grant money on local projects, to benefit the people of Kenilworth. Over the last 12 months the Forum has spent more than £17,000 to support local initiatives such as Community Speedwatch and the refurbishment of the Castle Farm skate park.
Sergeant Paul Farrell, Team Leader for Kenilworth Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: “The development and progress discussed at the forum this month shows just how important input from all ages of the community is in exacting change.
“By attending the next forum you can help us deal effectively with any issues by telling us what causing you concern in the community.”
Cllr John Whitehouse has gained the support of the Community Forum to start a ‘20’s Plenty’ speed reduction programme in the vicinity of all the town’s schools.
Cllr Whitehouse said: “Kenilworth town has always been at the forefront of developing measures to make our roads safer, and the widespread support for this new programme is very encouraging.
“We want motorists to think about their speed near our schools and encourage them to drive more slowly so that the risk of accidents is further reduced.”
The next Community Forum will be held on Monday 7th June at Kenilworth Upper School hall from 7pm. The topic for debate will be local transport issues of all types, from cycling through to ways of dealing with congestion.
More information about the Community Forum can be obtained from Jane Coates on 01926 456103.