30/9/2004 - Denton Holme residents have their say

Residents of Denton Holme and Longsowerby in Carlisle will get a special chance to help shape the future of their community thanks to a ground breaking initiative by Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council.

Around 3,000 households in the district of the city are set to receive a questionnaire asking residents what issues matter most to them and what they think the county and city councils and other public bodies should be doing for the area.

The questionnaire will be landing on doormats from 1 October with questions covering issues from traffic problems, parking and public transport to health services, street lighting and youth disorder.

Sheila O'Donnell, neighbourhood development officer for Denton Home and Longsowerby, said: "It's a way to find out what people want. If the people tell us they would like to see such and such, we can then try to do something about it."

Many residents of Denton Holme and Longsowerby are already very involved in their community with up to 100 people turning up to the Neighbourhood Forum meetings held four times a year. The area is often referred to as an "urban village" with a great community spirit.

It is hoped that the questionnaire will get even more residents involved in their community.

Responses to the questionnaire will provide the county and city councils with information about what the people of the area want and will be used to help in writing a parish plan which, after further consultation with householders, will eventually set out a vision for the community (see notes). 

Parish plans are more usually associated with rural communities and it is believed that Denton Holme is the first urban area in the county to develop its own parish plan.

The questionnaire should only take around 10 minutes to complete. It is open to anyone over 16 and everyone who returns a completed questionnaire will be entered into a free draw with a £50 prize.

The closing date for return is 30 October.

For more information call Sheila O'Donnell on 01228-606317 or at sheila.odonnell@cumbriacc.gov.uk