Apathy suggested for lack of public at Hucknall Area Committee meeting

Pictured is Hucknall High Street, town centre.

As the team of town councillors and the Locality Team of officers heavily outweighed residents for the meeting on Tuesday 1st July at Under One Roof, it was decided that more should be done to encourage more people to attend.

Chairman of the meeting on the night was Coun Trevor Locke, in the absence of Coun Jim Grundy, who declared his disappointment in the lack of public interest.

It was put to the floor to ask why there was a deficiency of public representation with Bill Ward of Thoresby Dale suggesting a general apathy from residents.

It was also suggested that the meetings were not publicised enough.

“We need to find a way to encourage more residents to attend,” said Coun Locke. “Can we get posters up on the town’s noticeboards and in community centres in a way to hopefully boost numbers.”

There are four to five meetings of the Area Committee per year. The next is scheduled for 2nd September at the John Godber Centre, on Ogle Street.

The main purpose of the meeting is to see improved service delivery in the context of best value, and more efficient, transparent and accountable decision making.

An allocation of 20 minutes is allowed for the public to ask questions of the committee as well as a platform for councillors to consider community grant applications with each having £940 to donate a year.

During this latest meeting, grants were agreed for the Boys Brigade towards a summer camp and Hucknall Tourism and Regeneration Group towards the Community Sports and Fun Day.

“It would be nice to have the groups applying for grants also in attendance to give the team a chance to meet them,” added Coun Locke.

Hucknall West: Chris Baron, Jim Grundy (Chair),Ken Knight

Hucknall East: Keir Morrison, Dave Shaw

Hucknall Central: Trevor Locke, Lachlan Morrison

Hucknall North: John Wilmott, Ian Morrison

Locality Team members:

Service Director: Edd de Coverly

Investment and Projects Officer: Lee Sycamore

Community Action Officer: Gill Brookes

Regeneration Officer: Mark Fiander

Lead Environment Officer: Andy Fell

Community Protection Team Lead: Charlie Edwards

Democratic Services Officer: Julie Robinson