News

Poole people are being given the chance to have their say on how up to £100,000 is spent on local services.

Following last year's popular 'LEGO' display in the Dolphin Shopping Centre where residents were challenged to spend their Council Tax in LEGO bricks, the Borough of Poole has set aside a one off 'opportunity fund' - and local people will decide how it is allocated.

Whilst the Council begins to plan for services next year (April 2002-March 2003), throughout November, residents, businesses and community groups will be able to choose how up to £100,000 could be used to deliver one of six options.

Each of the options supports one of the Council's six key priorities for the coming year and to help residents decide, the November edition of the Council's newspaper, Poole News, includes a special 8-page pull out explaining the options in more detail together with how the Council is performing, its priorities and services for the coming year.

Local residents can choose one of the following options:

Option 1 - Major Wash and Brush Up of the Town Centre and Quay - £100,000

Option 2 - Independent Disability Forum - £30,000

Option 3 - Fire Alarms for Elderly People - £30,000

Option 4 - Youth Bus Project - £46,000

Option 5 - Area Committees - £100,000

Option 6 - Computers for Young People in Foster Care - £65,000

Delivered with the Advertiser on 1 November, Poole News includes a FREEPOST cut-out slip for residents to register their preference and enter a chance to win £25 worth of M&S, HMV or Topshop vouchers.

To find out more about each of the options and the Council's priorities for next year, residents can go along to their local Area Meeting or the Dolphin Shopping Centre on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 November where Poole's Councillors and officers will be encouraging people to have their say. Slips must be received by 30 November 2001 and the chosen option will be announced by the Council in December and delivered during April 2002-March 2003.

Cllr Bob Williams, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: "This is a real opportunity for local people to get involved and tell us which of these options is a priority for them. I hope that everyone will take up the challenge - it will certainly be interesting to see which they feel is the most important."