Join the Community Conversation in 2020

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The Local Area Fund

The Local Area Fund is being introduced to support community driven projects and enhance the ability of Ward Councillors to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of their local communities.  

Each ward area has an available budget of £10,000 for this financial year 2020/2021. Find out more about the Local Area Fund. 

Ward events

For the past few years, the Council has hosted around 20 local Community Conversation ward events across the borough – giving residents and businesses the change to come and hear from their local ward councillors and give their views on local issues. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, it is not possible to hold physical events at the moment.

Therefore, the Council would like to hold virtual meetings in each area.

We will be holding a trial virtual event for residents and businesses in Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside on Wednesday 8 July 2020 at 6.30pm and if the event is successful, we will announce further dates across the borough.

 Please see the below for more information about the programme, the agenda and how you can join.

About the Community Conversation

The Community Conversation is the Council’s engagement programme. It gives residents and businesses an opportunity to meet their local ward councillors via borough wide events and have their say on what matters to them locally and specific issues via a series of themed discussions. 

If you have any ideas about how we can reach residents who want to have a say online, using social media or by alternative methods. Please let us know by emailing communityconversations@richmond.gov.uk.

Last years' events

See the 2019 Community Conversation minutes and videos.

Event format

Due to the pandemic, it is currently not possible to hold physical events, therefore the Council is trialling online engagement sessions using Zoom.

The first trial event will be for residents and businesses in Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside on Wednesday 8 July 2020 at 6.30pm.

Those who wish to attend can pre-register for the event. Once registered, attendees will be sent a link within 24-48 hours before the event. They will be able to log in and hear from the Leader of the Council and local ward councillors live. 

Residents will be able to have their say via video or text chat on how coronavirus has impacted them and their local area and give their ideas on what needs to be done to help the recovery process in Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside.

Should the event be a success, it will be rolled out across the borough in the weeks and months ahead.

Agenda

The Agenda for the Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside Community Conversation Ward Event.

The events will consist of five main sections:

Welcome

From 6.30 to 6.40pm

Opening presentation from Cllr Gareth Roberts (Leader of the Council) and introduction of the ward councillors on the panel: Cllr Penny Frost, Cllr Gareth Richards and Cllr Andree Frieze.

Ward update

From 6.40 to 6.50pm

Ward councillors will give their update on the pandemic and how it impacted Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside.

Community Conversation 'Question time' discussion

From 6.50 to 7.10pm

Attendees can ask their questions to the Leader and panel.

Local area fund discussion

From 7.10 to 7.30pm

Short presentation on the Local Area Fund and how it could be used in Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside.

Attendees will then be invited to share their ideas on how the budget could be used in their area

Conclusion

From 7.30pm

Event will conclude with final feedback from the Leader of the Council

Registration

If you would like to attend the Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside Community Conversation on Wednesday 8 July 2020, please pre-register. For event security, only those who have registered will be able to attend.

Please note, to ensure the best experience for all those attending and having their say, by registering for the event, attendees are agreeing to our Event Etiquette (pdf, 267 KB). This guide also includes further joining instructions.

Themed events

The Community Engagement team will also be running a series of Virtual Themed Conversations across July and August 2020. A panel of professionals will offer guidance and information on each subject, followed by a discussion with attendees focusing on problems and solutions.

These events will be on:

• Accessibility: The Impacts of Shielding 
• Special Projects and Consultations
• Domestic Abuse

Further information 

For more details contact us by email at communityconversations@richmond.gov.uk