17/10/2013 - Permalink

Market Drayton and Rural area LJC meets on 23 October

Related topics: Community / Democracy

Residents from the Market Drayton and rural area are invited to discuss their local community issues and to identify their local priorities.

Shropshire Council is hosting the latest meeting of the Market Drayton and Rural area Local Joint Committee (LJC) on Wednesday 23 October 2013 at the Stoke-Upon-Tern Village Hall, near Market Drayton, from 7pm.

The evening will start with a screening of a “Boys Dancing” film; this short piece, entitled “Release Day”, is an impactful piece of dance theatre filmed by kind permission of the Prison Service within the cells and exercise yard of Stoke Heath Prison. 

There will be representatives from the local police team present to discuss local policing issues and changes to the service, and to take questions and comments from the audience.

We are delighted to welcome Dr Riding, who will talk about Compassionate Dementia- Friendly Communities. 

Dr Riding said:-   

“I am pleased to explore the possibility of Market Drayton and surrounding areas becoming involved in the Shropshire Compassionate Dementia-Friendly Communities movement.  The movement began in Church Stretton in 2009.  A partnership between the practice and the community was established, and the town together saw the potential benefits to its residents in supporting individuals to volunteer to support the more frail or vulnerable inhabitants.

“Paul Cronin and his Severn Hospice team supported the development of that relationship, and then the volunteers’ development, with training, Disclosure and Barring Service checks (previously known as CRB checks), and a network of support around them.  In Church Stretton there are more than 70 volunteers.

“The benefits to the volunteers, the practice and to the community have been considerable. This movement is growing in strength, and communities across Shropshire are becoming involved.

“I am delighted that the LJC are interested to hear more, and yet more delighted that we might be able to develop the same initiative locally in Market Drayton.”

Chris Taylor, programme manager of  the ‘Connecting Shropshire’ programme – building a broadband future for everyone, will update the committee on recent developments in the work to upgrade broadband services in rural Shropshire.  Villages in the area, especially Adderley and Norton-in-Hales, have poor coverage, and previous discussions have resulted in a dynamic and rigorous exploration of the issues.

Market Drayton and Rural area LJC also has funding for community projects. 

Applications from eight groups, totalling £16,681, have been received and will be considered.  Interested groups should contact their local community action officer for more information.

If you would like to know more about your LJC, or to apply for LJC funds, please contact Nicola Fisher, senior community action officer, on 01939 237569.