GREEN LIGHT FOR FORUM

Local people in Ham and Petersham moved a step closer to shaping their future yesterday, as Richmond Council approved the Neighbourhood Forum and Area.This exciting new initiative, introduced by government in 2011, aims to put the power of planning into the hands of local people. Over the next 16 months the community will be preparing a Neighbourhood Plan with the Referendum date targeted for the same day as the general election in May 2015. Residents and workers alike should be able to steer the direction of key issues such as development and environmental projects. Bringing local people, community groups, residents and businesses together, they will have a united voice in improving the area where they live and work.

This is the first Neighbourhood in Richmond although there are over 70 in London. Membership is open to anyone living or working in the area. Maggie Bailey, Headteacher at Grey Court School and Chair of the Forum, said “I feel passionately that this Forum will help the numerous voluntary and community organisations already active in Ham and Petersham to coordinate activities amongst themselves and link successfully with the various public sector organisations in the area. This is a great opportunity to get involved in local issues. We’re delighted the Council is forward thinking and has now approved the Forum”.There have already been three successful, well attended meetings and the next one will be on 3 April 2014 7.30 at Grey Court School.