Residents’ chance to shape the future

CURRENT members of the Residents’ Sounding Panel at their recent meeting

RESIDENTS living in the borough’s Housing Market Renewal areas are being given the opportunity to shape the future of their neighbourhoods by joining the Pathfinder-wide Residents’ Sounding Panel (RSP).

The RSP, set up in 2006, gives residents a chance to express their views on Housing Market Renewal (HMR) — its panel members have already influenced new policies and met the Audit Commission and the Junior Housing Minister, Iain Wright.

RSP members also recently presented their opinions on neighbourhood change and community engagement to HMR staff and Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for communities and housing.

Councillor McCann said: “ “The panel does an excellent job to ensure that residents in the HMR neighbourhoods have a strong voice to influence the changes where they live.

“ I hope that many people will put themselves forward to help the community’s voice to be at the heart of what the Pathfinder does.”

There are 10 vacant seats to be filled on the RSP Core Meetings Group for this year, for residents from Werneth/Freehold, Alt, Sholver, Hathershaw and Primrose Bank and neighbourhoods in Rochdale.

The group meets quarterly at community venues across Oldham and Rochdale.

Panel members receive a £10 shopping voucher for every meeting that they attend, as well as transport provision and training opportunities.

Claire Morgan, the HMR consultation manager who currently chairs the panel, said: “The Residents’ Sounding Panel is providing residents with a chance to have input into HMR policies, as well as opportunities to improve their skills.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming some new members on to the panel to ensure that we are giving a voice to people from all backgrounds across both Oldham and Rochdale.”

Residents from all HMR neighbourhoods can also apply to sit on the wider e-mail group They are not required to attend meetings but will be consulted in other ways such as by e-mail, questionnaires, telephone or occasional focus groups.

The panel works in addition to all the existing neighbourhood consultation groups, such as the Sholver Steering Group, and discusses issues that apply across the whole HMR area, not just one neighbourhood.

The deadline for applications for the Residents Sounding Panel is Thursday April 2.

Anyone who would like to be involved can contact Claire Morgan on 0161-770 8328 or email claire.morgan@oldham.gov.uk