How do you want to be involved?
Winchester City Council wants to find out how its residents, businesses and commuters want to be involved in consultation, particularly in the planning arena.
Next year the Council is required by government to publish a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) following changes to the planning system. So it has drawn up a questionnaire that it would like residents, organisations and groups to complete.
The questionnaire gives examples of how people might be involved in planning policies and planning applications that cover the whole district, part of the district, your village or parish, or just the immediate area in which they live.
But the Council has also widened the scope of this initial consultation to find out how people want to be involved in developing the Council's other strategies, initiatives and services. Officers are meeting with a wide range of groups and organisations to explain SCI and are urging people to take part.
"We want to ensure that everyone can play a positive part in the future of the district. But to do this we need to understand the different ways that people would like to be informed, and involved," said the City Council's portfolio holder for planning John Beveridge.
Drawing on the comments it receives, the Council will publish a draft SCI for full consultation early in 2006.
Deadline for return of the questionnaires is 7 December.
The questionnaire is on the Council website http://www.winchester.gov.uk and copies can be picked up at the Council offices in Colebrook Street and Chesil Street, Winchester or by ringing 01962 848 561 and one will be sent to you.