Residents invited to help shape their neighbourhood

Residents are being invited to show the organisations responsible for delivering local services the neighbourhood issues that matter most to them.

A new programme of community walkabouts will bring together residents, businesses, Redditch Borough Council services, police, public health teams, and other partners to identify local concerns and agree practical actions.

Designed to give people a stronger voice in shaping their communities, the walkabouts will focus on issues such as community safety, anti-social behaviour, grounds maintenance, lighting, communal areas, bin storage, and other neighbourhood concerns.

Afterwards the partners involved will review progress, track agreed actions, and publish the outcomes, alongside a published schedule of walkabout dates and locations.

The first walkabout will take place in Woodrow on Wednesday 29 July at 3pm.

Residents who would like to take part can meet the group at the Woodrow Centre shortly before the start.

Feedback from the Woodrow session will then help shape the approach before it is rolled out to other parts of the borough.

Cllr Ashley Monk, Redditch Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, said: “We want to strengthen residents' voices and create more opportunities for people to influence what happens in their neighbourhoods.

“By bringing together the organisations responsible for different services and discussing issues face-to-face, where they occur, we can identify priorities, agree actions and be clear about who is responsible for delivering them.

“This is about getting out of meeting rooms and into the community, listening, working together, and showing residents that their feedback leads to visible results.”

Insp Richard Field of the Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "Community walkabouts are a great opportunity for residents to speak directly with the agencies that serve their neighbourhoods and help shape the priorities that matter most to them. We know that local people are often best placed to identify issues affecting their communities, whether that's anti-social behaviour, environmental concerns, or areas where they feel less safe.

“By walking the neighbourhood together, we can better understand those concerns, agree practical solutions, and work collectively to make a visible difference. I would encourage residents in Woodrow to come along, share their views, and help us build stronger, safer communities."

Dr Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health for Worcestershire, said: "This is a good example of district and county partners working together along with residents to address local issues in their community. Our award-winning Priority Neighbourhood Development programme, including in Woodrow, has enabled our Public Health Team to ensure local people can take an active role in improving the place they live.  Delivered in partnership with the District Council, this work recognises the expertise communities have and puts them in control."

For more information, visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk/walkabouts.

The new walkabouts form part of the council’s housing improvement plan to strengthen tenant and resident engagement and ensure local people have a stronger voice in decisions.

Look out for details of walkabouts in other areas of Redditch soon.