Outcome area - Community Engagement

Year 2003 saw our first elections for 4 resident Board Members and during 2005 we will see the second resident elections for NM Resident Board Member positions. In 2003, seven candidates stood for four places and 25% of our registered voters returned their ballot papers. This excellent level of interest gives the Board credibility and support although we hope to have further interest for this year’s election given that in 2003 29% of people were aware of NM, in 2004 this had increased to 48%.

A Tenants Forum now meets six weekly addressing a number of issues and may develop into an independent group run by and for tenants.

Contact has been established with Wessex Disability who are now actively engaged in the Street Reps Meetings and the Environment Group, representing the needs of people with disabilities locally.

The 50+ Forum has been established as a road show for older people’s issues, a topic based agenda has been devised for this year to discuss, health, lifelong learning, social activities, housing, employment etc.

Street Reps who continue to monitor the Safe and Clean project are to receive robust training through ENCAMs to support their efforts, and a major publicity campaign early in the year should attract further voluntary support to this group. There is an opportunity for the Street Reps to become involved in a number of other consultation/ information distribution initiatives.

A new Disability Forum has been established to encourage people with a physical disability, frailty or learning disability to come together on a quarterly basis to discuss issues relating to Health & Education, Housing, Environment, Community Safety and Employment, as it affects them directly.

300 people are currently involved with NM in some form or another, the target for Year 4 is to increase this to 400!