Opportunity for Pollokshields residents to make their mark

The 'Make Your Mark' charrette invites local residents to contribute views on planning issues. This is Glasgow's first community-led event of this type.

Charrettes, an intense type of consultation over one week, are normally undertaken by local authorities.  In this case the community council, with backing from Glasgow City Council, has raised funds to mount a major local consultation.

'Make Your Mark ' aims to engage residents of East Pollokshields and Port Eglinton, one of Scotland's most diverse communities that also features on multiple indexes of deprivation. The consultation running until 27 February 2016 will examine existing social and economic problems and propose solutions to tackle problems and generate economic growth.

It will also consult on the best long-term way to introduce real community power by establishing a strong community anchor organisation to carry forward recommendations.

Meetings will take place at various locations in the burgh including a mobile charrette in schools and other public places. After the formal consultation a public report-back and Q&A session with local councillors will be held in mid-March.

Bill Fraser, Chair of Pollokshields Community Council, said: "We are determined to consult widely amongst the diverse groups who live here. We have appointed ten 'Charrette Champions' chosen by age, gender and ethnic and religious origins to ensure we give everyone the chance to contribute."

Councillor Soryia Siddique, Chair of Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, said:" Pollokshields Community Council is one of our most active community councils proactive in community participation projects. We look forward to seeing what ideas and plans they come up with to improve their local area and the range and delivery of public services in the neighbourhood and how we may take them forward. No one has better insight into what an area is like and what could be done to in the future than the people who actually live there so I would urge people to have their say."

Programme
The main charrette takes place between 21 and 27 February with a feedback Q&A session including a panel of local councillors on Sunday, 20 March 2016

Additional Activities
From 17 February-end March the 'Make Your Mark' HQ at 553 Shields Road will be available free-of-charge to local groups providing meeting facilities, refreshments and Wi Fi to encourage debate. Pollokshields Playhouse is also available for outdoor meetings.

Pollokshields Playhouse is a participative community venture making use of a stalled space opposite the Tramway in Albert Drive. A programme of successful events has taken place and will continue in 2016.

Read blog at https://pollokshieldscc.wordpress.com/