Beccles is to benefit from the first in a series of new community engagement events organised by Waveney District Council.

Historically, ‘Local Area Forums’ have been held to encourage community discussion. They were held quarterly and were a way for local communities, voluntary and community groups and other local organisations such as Waveney District Council, and Suffolk Police to come together to discuss local issues.

Waveney District Council would like communities to get more involved in the issues that affect them and so it was decided to review the arrangements and discuss alternative formats that might generate wider interest and increase involvement.

The Council has undertaken a series of community workshops to discuss ideas - gathering input from a range of stakeholders. Held throughout the district, they have looked at how best to deliver these events in the future and as a result it was agreed that there was a need to take a more pro-active approach to community engagement,

As a result, the new Community Engagement Forums will no longer take the form of a formal meeting. They will have a flexible format that will enable organisers to hold them at a wide range of venues, taking the event to the people that matter.

The first of these new events will be in Beccles Town Centre on Friday 27 June from 10am until 2pm. Beccles Public Hall, the Beccles Sports Complex Project and Beccles Quay, Yacht Station will be just some of the issues that will be consulted on.

The Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and representatives from Waveney Community Forum will join Waveney’s local Councillors and officers at the event.

The new Community Engagement Forums now align with the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams and have been reduced in number, from eight to seven. Three will be being held in Lowestoft and four in the Rural district. The event in Beccles is the first one to follow the new format and others will follow in the coming months.

Jo McCallum, Rural Officer with Waveney District Council said: “This is an excellent opportunity for local people to come along and get advice or discuss issues and concerns. We want local people to feel comfortable in raising issues that are important to them. Sometimes a formal meeting is not the best way to do this.”

Cllr Chris Punt, who is Chair of the Beccles Forum added: “I’m delighted that Beccles will be the first to host one of these new format community forums. We understand that it is often difficult for people to take time out of their busy schedules and so we are trying to take these events to the people. We will be ready and waiting in the centre of Beccles to offer our support and listen to what residents have to say.

“It’s not often that you get the chance to meet representatives from a range of organisations in one place. I do hope the people of Beccles come out and talk to us!”

Funding of up to £500 is still available for voluntary and community groups that wish to apply to their local forum for support and the Grants Co-ordinator will be available to give funding advice on the day.

For further information on Community Engagement Forums, please contact Jo McCallum, Link Officer (Rural) 01502 523186, Stuart Halsey, Link Officer (Lowestoft) 01502-523354.