Cumbrians have their say

3,600 Cumbrians have volunteered to give local councils and Cumbria Constabulary their views on issues that affect their daily lives. County Council Deputy Leader, Mike Ash announced details of Community Voice at a meeting of the Council in Kendal earlier today. 

"Community Voice will be a powerful method of ensuring the county's Council's and the Police take account of the views of local people. The members are drawn from across Cumbria and represent the wide range of communities that make up this county. 

They will respond to surveys and other research that have become such an important and integral part of developing and improving services. Community Voice will build on the success of its forerunner the Citizen's Panel. In fact the results of the first ever Community Voice survey are included in the reports on GM Free Status that we are considering today. 

At the end of the month the seven partners will launch a new website that will provide another way for the people to let us know what they think and provide up to date information about ongoing surveys and consultations. I am sure Community Voice will be an interesting and rewarding experience for those involved and give them an important platform on which to have their say on local issues."