Meet the neighbours

2.50.00am GMT Fri 4th Jan 2008

Residents in Boughton Green, St Davids and Kingsthorpe are being asked for their ideas and suggestions to help shape the future of where they live.

The first ever open public meeting of the area's Neighbourhood Partnership will give local people the chance to come along and discuss issues affecting their local communities and have their say on how to make change.

This is a chance to find out more about Neighbourhood Management and meet Northampton Borough Council's new Neighbourhood Coordinator for the area Jeanette Pidgen. Ward councillors, Northamptonshire Police, neighbourhood wardens, representatives from local schools and members of the residents associations will also be at the meeting.

Northampton Borough Liberal Democrat Councillor Brendan Glynane, cabinet member for community engagement said: "Neighbourhood Management is about working closely with residents. It brings together a wide range of people who are already delivering services, to help them work in a more cohesive and coordinated manner. It's not about residents being told what they should be doing to make the place where they live better. It's about everyone working together, bringing problems and solutions to the forefront and being open and honest about what can be done realistically.

Neighbourhood Coordinator, Jeanette Pidgen added: "This is our first public meeting where residents can come along and have a real input into what issues we will be tackling in the first year. We need residents there so we can look at the issues that can have a long-term benefit to the area. We don't have a magic wand and we don't have all the answers, however, usually it's something very simple that needs to be addressed which can make all the difference."

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 9 January at Kingsthorpe Community Centre, Mill Lane from 7.00pm till 9.00pm. Light refreshments will be available.

For more information about the meeting or Neighbourhood Management please contact Jeanette Pidgen on 01604 837717.