Surrey County Council is embracing a Dragons’ Den style of local government by giving communities the chance to pitch ideas and vote for changes to their neighbourhoods.
The radical approach to localism has been devised for the council’s Travel SMART initiative, which has a pot of cash available for schemes that will improve travel and stimulate economic growth.
After community groups and local organisations pitch their ideas, larger projects* will be decided upon at a public vote. Smaller projects will go before a panel of residents who will act as judges.
John Furey, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “Local people are best placed to make decisions affecting their lives. We’re putting power into their hands so they can change their communities for the better.
“Whether you liken our approach to Dragons’ Den or Britain’s Got Talent, our aim is to put Surrey residents at the heart of decision making and truly harness the power of localism.
“Government at any level shouldn’t be about centralised diktats. It is about listening and learning from the residents we serve and giving them the power to shape their local areas.”
Travel SMART is looking for ideas from community groups in Westborough area of Guildford and the Sheerwater and Maybury areas of Woking, for schemes that would make it cheaper, easier and greener for people to get around.
Ideas could include making improvements to subways, setting up cycle training, or creating community car clubs.
But Travel SMART isn’t just limited to transport improvements. The county council wants to hear ideas about how to bring services into local communities to reduce the need to travel, such as setting up a job club in a community centre or running an exercise group.
ENDS
Media requiring further information can contact Surrey County Council senior media relations officer James Oxley on 0208 541 7259.
Notes to editors
* Groups in Westborough, Sheerwater and Maybury can apply for three levels of grants – up to £3,000, up to £15,000 and up to £50,000.
To be successful, a project must make it easier for people to travel or help bring services into their community. It also needs to achieve at least one of the following:
• Help people make better travel choices and improve accessibility
• Improve people’s access to jobs or skills
• Encourage people to live healthier lifestyles
To learn more and to apply for funding, visit www.travelsmartsurrey.info. Applications are also available from local schools and shops in Westborough, Sheerwater and Maybury. Alternatively call 03456 009 009.
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