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Written by Administrator

Saturday, 02 May 2009 22:24

Sorry for the blatent overhyping title for this blog article, but this is important...really important...really, really important.

The new community council will be elected in June, and nominations close this coming Thursday, 7 May...now don't switch off...PLEASE keep reading...

Over the next 8-10 years the community council will spend something like £1.5m on their responsibilities in Orchard Park, with something like £500k of that coming from taxpayers via the Council Tax, and the remainder being provided by the Orchard Park developers (so effectively tagged on to all the house prices then!!!).

How can you have your say in how that money is spent for Orchard Park residents?

In the next year or so, the community council will be transferred assets of around £2m!! Assets that include the community centre, 3 play areas, a skate park, 2 football pitches, a kick about area, 7 public open spaces, 13 more smaller public spaces, 2 gardens, changing rooms and 2 tennis courts. And once again the council will decide what happens with these assets - when they are open, how much will we be charged to use them, will they be maintained, will they be developed, who can use them?

How can you have your say in how the facilites are run for Orchard Park residents?

So I expect you can guess what I'm going to suggest next...why don't YOU think about getting involved with the new council?

If you're interested in what goes on with Orchard Park, then you're qualified.
If you wonder when the roads will be surfaced, then you are qualified.
If you're concerned about what will happen when the A14 noise barrier is removed...you're qualified as well.
Or what's going to be built on the land by the school (150+ homes anyone???)...guess what...qualified.
If you're concerned about litter across the site...qualified.
If you're wondering when we will get a shop, or a post box...qualified.
Worried about childeren's safety at the play areas...qualified.
Want to see ballroom dancing at the community centre...qualified.
Want to be involved with community development...qualified.

And I could go on and on...the responsibilities of the council and the influence it has in our community are immense. With such responsibilities, it's obviously really important that the council genuinely represents the views and values of Orchard Park residents.

So what would realistically be involved? Well, that is a little tricky to be certain on as the level of commitment will really be decided by the councillors themselves, but based on my experience with Impington council and the Orchard Park shadow council, I can guesstimate the following:

There's likely to be one council meeting per month, and this will usually be a couple of hours on a weekday evening
You'll probably want to do some prep for the monthly meeting, check the agenda, read any papers etc - perhaps another hour?

How many people couldn't find 3 hours per month to get involved with their community?

From here on in, anything else will be your choice...there will be further opportunities to be involved - for exxample, working groups on planning applications, recreation and community centre planning.

And of course, unless you're already an expert in council matters, you'll want to take part in some training sessions - the timing is likely to be up to you, but I did three evening sessions over a 3 month period.

Please consider how you can be involved...every (adult) resident can play a role, although you will need to be a registered elector - age is no concern, neither is gender, education or how you fill your days!! And don't be put off by lack of experience...we're a new community, so no-one has any at the moment!! And don't worry about things getting politicised, it's not impossible but is exteremely rare at this level of local government.

And don't be afraid to just give it a try - if you later decide it's not for you, or your circumstances change, that's no problem! One of the most important results is that we have a full and varied council in these early years, the most critical period in the establishment of Orchard Park as a new community.

In fact, there is a strong view that says we really need more than 9 people to stand for the 9 council positions, as this will mean a proper election, and will ensure that the new council has a credible mandate as a genuinely elected group - but don't worry, if there is a public vote, you won't need to do anything other than have your name on the voting slips!!

If you have even the vaguest interest in this why don't you have a chat about it - there are several people ready to help or supply a nomination form:

Mike Mason, chair of the interim Orchard Park council - call him on 01954 250391 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Carly Meagher, community development officer - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Pauline Hayward, interim council clerk - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Me (Nick Warren) - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

But I'm afraid there's little time to delay - your completed nomination form needs to be with South Cambs District Council by the end of business on Thursday - you'll need someone to nominate you (your spouse?) and seconder (your neighbour?), together with their electoral roll numbers and yours...but it's all really, really simple.

This is your chance to have your say, to be involved and to make a difference - I really hope you don't miss out!! It probably won;t come round again for a while!!

Nick

Last Updated on Saturday, 08 August 2009 14:47