The award winning www.ShapeYourPlace.org project went live in Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire on 17 June 2013 and launched on 18 June 2013. This will mean that the project will cover the whole of the county.
ShapeYourPlace has been a real success attracting thousands of visitors and generating many conversations about local issues in Fenland, East Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire where it is already live.
The project lets local people have their say about what matters to them most where they live. They can debate, suggest ideas and raise issues. The unique twist is that where someone raises an issue, the County Council, district councils, police and the fire service will respond on the site about how they will resolve the issue if possible. We alert councillors if an issue is raised on the site that affects their area and they can also use the site to engage with local people.
In addition, the site lets local people and groups share news, community information and promote events. Local public services can also promote projects and use the sites to consult.
The launch for the Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire sites included a market stall outside the Guildhall involving all the partners. Local media attended the event. Subsequent events in some of South Cambridgeshire’s villages are also being planned.
To view the current sites, go to www.shapeyourplace.org. The project has been developed by Cambridgeshire County Council working in partnership with the district councils, Cambridge City Council, police and fire service.
Anna Allen is the County Council’s ShapeYourPlace Community Engagement Officer for South Cambs. Anna’s role is key to helping get the word out about the project and getting people using the site.
The project lead at South Cambridgeshire District Council is director for environmental and health services, Mike Hill.
For more information about the project or how to promote your service email shapeyourplace@scambs.gov.uk
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