LIVERPOOL Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) working in partnership with Liverpool City Council, ward councillors, and other partners has announced further Your Community Matters events for the city’s wards.

These events focus on community funding, giving residents the chance to vote on small pots of funding for local projects which will improve their area. There will also be the chance to meet key decision makers and voice concerns residents have about their local area.

The new series of public meetings will be held throughout Liverpool and are an opportunity for local people to discuss the issues that are affecting their neighbourhood with ward councillors, Merseyside police, council officers and other partners.

At previous events residents have voted on pots of funding for successful community projects. In the centre of Liverpool for example residents have voted to give funding to a number of projects including awarding £3000 to The Bronte Youth and Community Centre.  This will be used to improve and enhance the outside area surrounding the centre, enabling all members of the community to access a safer and cleaner environment.

The meetings have also led to problems such as fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and a lack of facilities being identified and improved.

Karen Harris, Neighbourhood Partnership Officer at LCVS said: “These events offer residents a great opportunity to improve their ward, get their opinions heard and vote on funding for local projects and schemes.”

Councillor Marilyn Fielding, Liverpool’s executive member for Safer, Stronger Communities, said: “This is a great initiative as it puts local people firmly in the driving seat when it comes to deciding on how to improve their community. It is very democratic and means that community groups are able to explain the services they can offer directly to the public. The city council, working with our partners is determined to try out these innovative ideas and we think it is right to trust local people with important decisions about what should get funded in their community.”

For more information visit the LCVS website at www.lcvs.org.uk.