Attendance shows community support for Telford & Wrekin Forum

Rights and Fairness Telford (RAFT), in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council and a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector partners has established the independent Co-operative Community Forum for the people of Telford and Wrekin.

The Forum has been initially set up to provide a platform for residents to give their views on the work of the Co-operative Commission that the Council launched in September.

At the meeting on Thursday, those who attended took part in workshops where they came up with recommendations that they felt the Council and its partners should consider against the five themes that were confirmed at the Co-operative Commission.

Those five themes are:-

· Image of Telford

· Employability, skill and the economy

· Co-operative values and communication

· Volunteering

· Commissioning and procurement

RAFT chairman Rev Andy Smith, said: “I am delighted at the turnout we had on Thursday evening from the public and local community groups and organisations.

“Those attending represented a diverse range of the community as well as representing areas which have historically not tended to attend such events, and the feedback from the workshops has provided a great deal of information to take forward.”

Cllr Shaun Davies, Cabinet Member for Environment, Co-operative & Partnerships, said: “RAFT did a wonderful job to bring in so many interested people to give their views on the future of the borough.

“The Co-operative Commission can only be successful with support from the community and the Forum provides an excellent opportunity to input ideas and discuss options.”

The workshops will report back to the Co-operative Commission Assembly at the end of February which will then make recommendations to the Council.

For further information on the Community Forum email Rights and Fairness Telford at info@raf-t.org.uk or call the RAFT offices on 01952 210559.