A series of neighbourhood events, designed to give local people a say on issues that affect them, and organised by Waveney District Council and Lowestoft Together, have been taking place in Lowestoft.

Known as ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ events, the next will take place in the Normanston ward of Lowestoft with a ‘Visioning Day’ on Saturday 7 June followed by a clear-up of the Beeches estate between 16 and 20 June. In addition, a clear up of the Roman Hill area will take place from 2 to 6 June. Roman Hill residents wishing to take advantage of free bulky waste collections can attend an event at St Andrews Church on Saturday 31 May to sign up.

Visioning Days are an opportunity for local people to meet their councillors as well as groups and organisations currently working in their area in a fun and informal environment. They afford local residents the opportunity to consult on a variety of projects and initiatives taking place in their neighbourhood, whilst giving them the opportunity to get involved themselves.

Visioning Days also allow residents to discuss community safety issues in their area with their safer Neighbourhood Police Teams and Environment Support Officers from Waveney District Council are also available to give advice.

Another part of ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ is a week-long clear up of the area, following the Visioning Day. This part of the initiative gives residents the opportunity to have bulky household items collected FREE OF CHARGE by pre-arrangement. Waveney District Council’s Cleansing Team will clean kerbsides and rear pathways, sweep and de-weed footpaths, clean out rainwater gullies, remove fly-tipping and graffiti and conduct litter picks in the area. 

The ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ initiative has been possible due to funding from Lowestoft Together and partnership work between Waveney District Council, Lowestoft Together, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Police and Fire Service, local Residents and Tenants Associations, Waveney Community Forum and Waveney Community Safety Partnership. Events have already taken place in the Gunton area of St.Margaret’s ward and more recently Whitton.

The most recent ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ event took place in Whitton, in partnership with the opening of the New Whitton Life Community Café. Whitton Councillor Nick Webb said: “The Love Your Neighbourhood initiative is a fantastic way of engaging with the community. It enables residents to have their say on local issues and meet a variety of agencies working in their area. In addition, a total of 3.5 Tonnes of waste were removed from the area.”

Councillor Colin Law, Deputy Leader of Waveney District Council with responsibility for Community Cohesion said: “We strongly believe in giving people a voice and the opportunity to get involved in consultations and projects in their area. By involving the community we can develop social inclusion and build ownership.”