16/03/2016 - Permalink

Residents doing their bit in support of Shropshire’s Big Conversation

Related topics: Adult social care / Community / Democracy / Health / Leisure, culture and heritage / Partner organisations

Since the launch of Shropshire Council’s Big Conversation, residents have been telling the council what they are doing to help alleviate the £77m deficit.

In a recent meeting in Oswestry, chief executive Clive Wright presented an overview of the Big Conversation, and spoke to residents on how people can save money by taking some really simple steps.

Leading by example is Wendy Cherrington, Mayoress of Oswestry, who has been working hard to improve the outgoing waste and recycling products from their home.

Peter Cherrington, Mayor of Oswestry, said:

“Since we became involved in the Big Conversation, my wife Wendy has increased our recyclables, by 48% which is a terrific number.”

Clive Wright, Shropshire Council’s chief executive, added:

“I’d like to thank the Mayoress of Oswestry for doing her bit to help support Shropshire Council’s Big Conversation.  Mrs Cherrington has doubled her recycling which is a fantastic achievement.

“We know many people recycle, but if more others followed suit, we’d considerably reduce the council’s cost on waste and could potentially save up to £5m each year.”

A total of 2,271 people and organisations took part in the Big Conversation survey which ran from 17 November 2015 until 6 January 2016.

The Big Conversation survey was the first phase of a five-year conversation the council wants to have with Shropshire people to ask them what council services are most important to them, and what they can do to help and make the remaining resources it has go further.

The survey asked people about the council service areas they thought were the most important to protect from reductions in spending. Residents were also asked their views around working with active communities.

  • Some 61% of respondents agree that Shropshire Council should make more use of local residents and volunteers to deliver services in order to make savings, whilst only 22% disagree.
  • 71% of respondents agree that communities should be enabled to do more for themselves. Some 12% of respondents disagree.
  • 32% of respondents are willing or very willing to contribute through participation or volunteering. Only 15% stated they are not willing to do so. To view the details of the survey report and for more information about the Big Conversation visit shropshire.gov.uk/bigconversation or email:bigconversation@shropshire.gov.uk.
  • Feedback will also inform the development of the next phase of the Big Conversation, which will run after April 2016 for the coming years.