Partners across Wokingham borough are coming together to create a vision for the area’s future – and are calling on everybody to get involved.
The vision will set out what sort of place we want the borough to be in the future – what we want to improve in that time, what we need to preserve and what our priorities should be.
The work is being guided by a steering group, which includes representatives from businesses, the voluntary sector, education and service providers as well as members of the borough’s Youth Council.
Nick Fellows, chief officer of Wokingham Volunteer Centre, is chairing the steering group and said: “This initiative represents a great opportunity to take a longer-term view of our aspirations for the borough we live in. By looking ahead to what we want it to be like to live here in 15 years’ time, we can identify the steps that need to be taken to create that reality.
“We can’t, and shouldn’t, expect the public sector to do everything for us so this is an opportunity for everyone to engage, take some ownership and create the necessary change. Involving businesses, community groups and individuals now offers the potential for a seamless transition to the future, as more and more opportunities will undoubtedly arise.”
The group is seeking residents’ input to understand what people think about the borough now and what hopes and fears they have for its future.
To get this input, they will be holding workshops and focus groups with interested organisations and individuals but have also launched online surveys so all residents can take part.
There are two surveys available for residents to complete, one very short and the other slightly more comprehensive. There is also an opportunity for interested residents to sign up to be more involved.
The surveys will be available in hard copy and other formats so everybody can give their views. The different ways to get involved have been set up because we realise people have different amounts of time to spare – the short survey only has four questions and can easily be done in a couple of minutes but will still provide important information to guide the vision.
Once completed, the borough vision will act as a guide for organisations working across the borough, to develop their priorities and plans – including Wokingham Borough Council, which is a partner in the project.
Leader of the council Stephen Conway said: “I’m delighted with the excellent work done by the steering group to move forward the Community Vision. Now we want to hear your views.
“I hope you will respond to our two surveys, and I hope that you will feel able to get more involved – we want as many people as possible to contribute.”
Although the surveys and other information are being hosted on the borough council’s engagement website, the council is not leading this project. The engage.wokingham.gov.uk website is being used only because it is a convenient site that allows residents to engage easily.
The online surveys will be open until Monday November 6 on the Engage Wokingham Borough webpage and alternative versions are available for anybody who cannot access them online or needs them in a different format.
Contact Wokingham Borough Council on (0118) 974 6066 or email cem@wokingham.gov.uk for options. For more information contact Steering Group chair Nick Fellows at nick@wok-vol.org.uk.
