Residents of Fylde can now put their questions to the Council through our Fylde Life discussion forum and have them answered by the Council’s top leaders.

Fylde Borough Council has launched a trial of the internet based forums on the ‘Fylde Life’ website (www.fyldelife.co.uk) and has already received a number of queries and responses. The forums allow members of the public to raise discussion on any council related topic they choose. The site is closely monitored by the chief officers and councillors at the town hall including the leader of the Council, Councillor John Coombes.

Councillor Coombes explains: “Fylde Borough Council has always been keen to listen to residents views and to ensure that we use as many ways as possible to gauge views on the services we deliver and expectations for the Borough.

“This Forum has been launched as a trial project to give residents and visitors an opportunity to ‘Have your say’.  Initially both myself and a selection of Senior Council Officers and Councillors will monitor and respond to the content submitted.  I hope that this Forum will become a useful tool for residents in getting the facts behind some of the local news, myths and rumours.”

The site has already had some comments posted and they have received a response which prompted one member to reply, about the forum as a whole, saying: “You get a response whether it is one that you like or not; you get it from the 'horses mouth' so to speak.  I know most authorities I have come into contact with would not have the courage to do this sort of thing.”

The council is dedicated to listening to the comments of the public and has a system for all calls to the council and an email address listening@fylde.gov.uk for comments, complaints or compliments. There are other ways for the public to get involved with the council in the pipeline too.

Councillor Coombes continues: “The Council is about to launch its public involvement sessions at the Council's Cabinet Meetings.  This 15 minute session will give residents a two minute opportunity to address the Cabinet Members with their views on a single item on the agenda.  This will give those Councillors on the Cabinet an opportunity to hear a cross section of views for residents to add to the input given from non-cabinet members of the Council.

“To add to this consultation opportunity the Cabinet is also hoping to run a number of ‘Cabinet in the Community’ sessions, giving residents the opportunity to offer views and ask questions of the Council.”
This facility has been enabled by a public-private partnership between the independently owned Fylde Life website and Fylde Borough Council. The community website, launched February of this year, forms a strategic hub allowing thousands of residents, businesses and organisations to gain information and resources throughout the Fylde-wide area.

Created on 18/08/2008