Around 50 local residents attended the Annual Town Meeting last week, many of whom took the opportunity to put questions to the Council and express their views about issues affecting Wilmslow.
Amongst the speakers was Professor Anthony Jones, whose call for a proper debate on issues affecting Wilmslow was met with rapturous applause from the audience.
Professor Jones, who is a member of Transition Wilmslow, addressed the councillors and members of the public.
He said "I think most people are here because there is a real natural concern about the future of Wilmslow and I have to say probably that's not really been reflected by the tenor of the discussion or debate this evening. What I'd like to do is make a suggestion.
"Wilmslow is incredibly fortunate, both in the place that it is and in the people who are here, there is a fantastic range of wonderful and talented and delightful people and they are really engaged with Wilmslow. What they are not engaged with is to an extent the local council and Cheshire East.
"I would like to suggest that we look to having a very different format. I think most information that we've had this evening could be just displayed on the website, I think what we would like is much more debate with you and with Cheshire East about how we develop our community and I think I speak for most people here that that's our concern.
"We've had a lot of expense spent on asking our opinion, we've had the scoping process 20k performed by a company that had links to property development and there's been no formal display of that data by Cheshire East. So a lot of us have made strenuous efforts to communicate both with local council, and they've kindly given us hospitality, and with Cheshire East, but there actually is no debate - and this evening we've had no debate.
"I think what we would all like is a way of having that debate and I think it's quite urgent. I think what is really fortunate is we have so many passionate, knowledgable and capable people and I think, if I may suggest, you can really tap into that spirit of enthusiasm and care of our community and I think it is that which will ensure that we are sustainable as a community and I think there is an urgent need to do that.
"So if I may I make that suggestion that we really change the way we do things in Wilmslow and have a real debate rather than exchange of information which is interesting in some ways but probably not what we're all here for."
Cllr Jim Crockatt, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, responded "Thank you very much for that. Since we've been formed, and remember we're only at the end of our second year and with the setting up of a Council like this normally the first two years is spent purely on the bureaucracy and getting the thing set up and operational.
"We're way ahead of that and we've done quite a bit more than that. All along we've been asking the community to come forward with suggestions of what we should be doing and we're willing to take on board anything and I'm sure all your comments have been noted and will be acted upon in due course."
Other issues raised by members of the public included the future of Alderley Park, the Royal London site, Romany's Caravan and the ST Lounge.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I would never criticise those who voluntarily give up their time and energies for the good of Wilmslow. But, they tend to be of the older generation, because they are the people who have the time available.
Although I am only 60 I feel I am too old to accurately reflect the needs of those living and working in Wilmslow. We need to generate more interest in the younger residents, so we have a spread of ages. Perhaps this website can facilitate that.
You may mot be aware that Wilmslow Town Council is already looking into aspects of how to get the youth of the town more involved in making decisions. The following is an extract from the minutes of the full town council meeting in February.
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2012/0190 YOUTH FORUM
Cllr McNulty introduced a paper that had received support from the Community and Order Committee. Cllr McNulty spoke on the proposed plan to work with the Local Area Partnership in setting up of a Youth Forum. It was highlighted that the Forum would be made up of elected young people resident in the Wilmslow area, that the Forum would require a budget from represented town and parish areas and that Wilmslow funding would only be used to support Wilmslow initiatives.
Cllr Watkins spoke of his experience of such Forums and of the benefits. It was agreed that whilst Wilmslow High School would organise appointments it was important to involve other schools including the private school sector.
Resolved that the Town Council support the setting up of a Youth Forum and that £25,000 of the 2013.14 grants and donations budget be ring-fenced to be considered only for projects recommended to the Town Council by the Youth Forum.
Resolved that Cllr McNulty make enquiries in to the Youth Forum working as a youth focus group for future consultation matters impacting on young people.
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Cllr McNultys' contact details can be found at:
http://www.wilmslow-tc.org.uk/councillors.php