Get online – Prestwich to hold first e-forum

Local police officers and councillors are going online this Thursday (10 Dec) as Prestwich holds its first township e-forum.

Residents are invited to join them ‘live’ and send in questions relating to all matters related to Prestwich for them to answer.

The aim of this trial is to engage in new ways with the community, offering more methods of communication and widening participation.

The online meetings are not to replace township forums, but are an additional way that the council can talk with residents, and to make it easier for people who can't get to the usual meetings.

The online session brings together the forum with Prestwich e-PACT (Police And Communities Together) between 6pm and 8pm, raising issues for action and helping to shape local priorities.

Complex issues that cannot be answered on the night will be followed up afterwards.

Online feeds – ask your questions here:

• Prestwich policing queries @GMPPrestwich or www.facebook.com/GMPBurySouth - use hashtag #ePACT

• General Prestwich queries @TownCentresTeam - use hashtag #eFORUM

GMP Prestwich policing priorities were set at the recent PACT meeting and can be found on GMP Bury web pages for each ward:

• Holyrood

  (http://www.gmp.police.uk/live/nhoodv3.nsf/detail.html?ReadForm&Division=Bury&Area=Bury%20South&Community=Holyrood&Detail=Priority)

• Sedgley (http://www.gmp.police.uk/live/nhoodv3.nsf/detail.html?ReadForm&Division=Bury&Area=Bury%20South&Community=Sedgley&Detail=Priority)
• St. Mary’s (http://www.gmp.police.uk/live/nhoodv3.nsf/detail.html?ReadForm&Division=Bury&Area=Bury%20South&Community=St.%20Mary's%20(Bury)&Detail=Priority)

The Prestwich Township Forum Plan can be viewed at www.bury.gov.uk/townshipforums outlining the priorities set at its June 2015 ‘round table’ discussions with residents and partners. This three-year plan is open to change as new priorities arise, so why not get involved in your township forum and have your say?

Councillor Jane Black, chair of Prestwich Township Forum, said: “I welcome this trial; we are keen to use different ways of reaching out to residents who can't get along to meetings, such as people who have work or caring responsibilities. I encourage people to go online on Thursday and contact us."

Inspector Ben Cottam added: “Following the success of the recently introduced online police PACT meetings, I’m proud to have my officers involved in the first ‘online e-forum’ where we will be joined by local councillors to give live time answers to questions and queries from members of the local community. I’d encourage as many of you as possible to go online, spread the word about the event, and have your say.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 9 December 2015.