Wouldn't it be a good idea if the various local services and voluntary groups could meet with county councillors to prioritise the main needs of the Wilmslow area?
Well, as shown at the recent Wilmslow Trust meeting led by Cheshire East's Zandra Neeld, such a body already exists! Called the Local Area Partnership (LAP) and soon to be named the Area Management Group, it meets frequently and facilitates direct contact with our elected representatives. The Wilmslow Trust (the local civic group) is well represented and raises issues of planning, parking, traffic control, building design and conservation and has recently been working to improve the area between Starbucks and Tesco Express. The Trust has been a prime mover in the establishment of a Wilmslow Town Council and is taking on a similar role in working towards a Wilmslow Plan in response to people's needs and aspirations. It has also learned that we are to have Quarterly Areas Assemblies open to the public.
On November 11th at 7.30pm at the Wilmslow Guild on Bourne Street, the Trust has planned a major meeting, free and open to all, to enable all of us to find out more about a Town Council. The question and answer session will be led by Howard Murray, an experienced and knowledgeable county councillor and a member of the very go-ahead Poynton Town Council. How can we influence a Town Council? What are its powers? How can it tackle the concerns we have in Wilmslow?
This session will be a great opportunity to see how the new Council (voted in next May) can benefit all of us in Wilmslow. We do have opportunities to make ourselves heard. We should use them to the full.
If you would like more information on the Local Area Partnership, call Peter Stubbs on 01625 523329.
The Trust's Secretary, Martin Hoyle (01625-525068) has further details of the meeting at the Wilmslow Guild on 11th November, and the rest of the Trust's programme, or check the website.
Ray Acton, Wilmslow Trust Executive Member.
