Involving young people across the Eden area is top priority for Penrith neighbourhood forum when it meets on Monday.
The forum wants to involve more young people in council planning and decision making. Youngsters in Penrith are being invited to the next meeting to give them a chance to comment and make suggestions about what they want to see in their community. The future of Castle Park will be one of the matters up for discussion. A consultation on ‘Green Spaces and Parks’ is being carried out by Eden District Council, who are very keen to get the views of young people who use the Penrith park.
Lynn Healey, the county council's youth work co-ordinator in Eden will also be on hand at the meeting to explain her role and how new services are being developed for youngsters in the area.
County councillor Colin Nineham, chairman of the forum said:
"We are trying to encourage more youngsters to get involved and see the real side of politics so they will increase their knowledge about the role they can play. Its hard to engage them in this process if they don't really understand how some council decisions we make are relevant to them. Cumbria County Council is always looking for new ways to encourage youngsters to become involved. We value the young people in our community and I would like to encourage them to come along to the next meeting so we can listen to what they have to say, to give us a better understanding of their needs and their visions for the future."
Other matters on the agenda are:
1. Penrith Market Town Initiative - Residents will be updated on how the initiative is going, the marketing strategy for Penrith and plans for Christmas
2. Updates from previous meetings including the Police Liaison Committee and traffic management, parking and flooding
3. Green spaces- Eden district Council are asking residents for their views on how green spaces, parks and play areas are managed
The forum meets on Monday 10th October at 7.30pm in the McPherson Room at Evergreen Hall in Penrith. Anyone wanting more information about the forum should contact Eden Area Support office in Alston, 01434 382128 or Penrith, 01768 242368