* The SML team in the health centre foyer. From left, chair Phil Robinson, member Karen Edwards and supporter Cllr George Hughes.
The first in a series of public consultation exercises by the team of volunteers putting together Llangollen’s contribution to the county council’s next Local Development Plan was a major success.
Shape My Llangollen (SML) was formed last year at the behest of the Town Council to produce a 'place plan' for Llangollen.
The idea is that this plan, when approved and endorsed by the Town Council, will feed into the new emerging Local Development Plan being produced by Denbighshire County Council.
The plan will cover topics such as the natural environment, built environment, economy, and community and is a genuine opportunity for some grassroots democracy.
SML is therefore engaged upon a far-ranging consultation exercise contacting groups and individuals to seek their views on any issues which affect or concern them so that they can have an
input into the plan.
Over the summer the team is hosting a series of consultation events to introduce themselves to the public and to get their views.
Yesterday, team members were on hand in the foyer of the town’s health centre and during busy morning and afternoon sessions spoke to scores of people to gain their feedback.
SML chair Phil Robinson said: “The day was a big success and we spoke to as many people as possible about a wide range of issues which interest them, which was anything from the state
of local roads and pavements to the provision of social care and youth facilities.
“Perhaps not unexpectedly there were lots of concerns voiced about traffic congestion and the availability of parking. But lots of other issues were raised such as the spending priorities
of the county council and public transport.
“The information we gathered will be invaluable in compiling out final report which we are aiming to publish before the end of this year.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who was able to spare a few minutes to answer our five quick questions.
“Our next two consultation sessions will be next Monday May 13 at the Co-op in Regent Street and then at Home Bargains on Thursday May 23, both from 10am-1pm and from 2-5pm.
“We hope as many people as possible will be able to come along to these and there will be further chances to speak to us as the summer progresses.”
The questions SML is asking are:
1. What makes you happy about Llangollen?
2. What makes you sad about Llangollen?
3. What makes you mad about Llangollen?
4. How would you make Llangollen better?
5. How would you spend £10,000 for Llangollen’s future?
People unable to make it to SML’s meet-the-public sessions can fill in one of the question sheets which are available in the Town Hall office.
They can also jot down the answers in a reply to the posting about the health centre session on the Shape My Llangollen Facebook page.
