Meeting overview
The first Bellingham Assembly attracted about 80 people from all over the ward on the evening of Thursday 10 July 2008. Formally opened by Cllr Ron Stockbridge, who chaired the meeting, a cross section of the community attended, including 30 per cent from black and minority ethnic communities.
What we agreed
There were a number of issues which came out of the assembly, which will help to inform the priority plan for the ward. Some of these issues included:
- transport (links between Downham and Bellingham)
- youth provision and perception of youth
- anti-social behaviour
- poor parks and insufficient play and football activities
- environment (rubbish, flytipping).
The assembly also discussed what they liked about Bellingham ward and the following two positives were the highest:
- community spirit, neighbourliness, willingness to get involved
- access to green areas, Bellingham Green
What's happened
An interim co-ordinating group comprising 14 people of mixed gender and ethnicity was established at the end of the meeting. The group, chaired by Cllr Stockbridge, will examine issues raised at the meeting in more detail and plan the next assembly meeting which will be held in September.