Press Releases

Ealing’s ward forums are off to a flying start (PR 1284)

More than 100 people crowded into a children’s centre in Northfields on Thursday to take part in Ealing’s first ward forum.

There was standing room only at the new style meeting, which replaces the old, poorly attended area committees.

Led by ward councillors David Millican, Mark Reen and Phil Taylor, residents were asked to identify issues in their local area.  Many people shared their views on subjects as wide ranging as hanging baskets, dog fouling, blocking off alleyways and road safety. 

Residents even applauded the Council for recent improvements in waste and recycling services and street cleanliness.

People attending the forum were also given the opportunity to suggest how £40,000 should be spent to improve the ward.  All the ideas for where the money should go have been noted down and will be brought back to future meetings to decide which projects should get the go ahead.

Northfields Ward Councillor David Millican, who chaired the first forum, said: “If numbers are a measure of success then this first ward forum really was a triumph for democracy.  I was absolutely delighted that so many people turned out for the ward forum and that so many people who I spoke to afterwards felt that it was such a positive step.”

All 23 wards in the borough will be launching ward forums over the next few weeks. 

The next meetings will be:

Forums will meet at least three times a year and will be publicised through ward newsletters.  Copies of the newsletters and details of the meetings are available via the Council’s website at www.ealing.gov.uk/committees. Notes from each meeting will also be published online.