Call to become Bishop Auckland's friend (From The Northern Echo)

Call to become Bishop Auckland's friend

5:17pm Friday 13th August 2010 in

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A TOWN council is calling on community-minded residents to share their ideas and form a new committee.

Bishop Auckland Town Council will hold a public meeting next month to form a Friends of Bishop Auckland group that will improve the area by applying for grants.

Members hope to generate as much interest as possible for the new group, which is the brainchild of the council’s strategy subcommittee.

The move comes after a questionnaire was sent to households asking residents how they think the community could be given a boost. It is expected the Friends will meet regularly, help decide what residents’ priorities are and generate ideas for community projects.

Town councillor Sam Zair, also a member of Durham County Council, said the new group will be able to open up extra funding streams.

"It is a major opportunity for the people who come along because it is for their benefit and for their town," he said.

"The town council can’t put in for funding but a Friends of Bishop Auckland will be able to access all sorts of funding that we can’t."

Those interested can be passionate about youth groups, refurbishment plans or services.

"It is right across the board," said councillor Zair.

"We want to help make the area we live in a cleaner and safer place to live.

"The best way to do that is to listen to people’s concerns and their ideas and then to take them on board.

"It is for the people who come to give their views on the area and the neighbourhoods in which they live.

"They will have the full support of the town council and we will work alongside them."

Those interested should attend the public meeting in the Wesley Room of the Four Clocks Centre, on Newgate Street, on Tuesday September 7 at 6.30pm.

Anyone who would like more information should contact town clerk Linda Goldie on 01388-609852 or email batc@btconnect.com or Bishop Auckland mayor Leslie Zair on 01388-602559.