By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 11:21, Saturday, 22 August 2009

AROUND 30,000 people living in Cumbria are to be invited to have a say on the future of public services with the launch of a new Community Voice scheme.

At your service: Police, the health authority and councils want to know what residents’ priorities are

Councils, police and health services are all teaming up together to find out what local people think of the job they do.

A random selection of 30,000 people will be invited to join the voice panel over the next few weeks.

By signing up, residents will agree to take part in a minimum of four questionnaire surveys each year conducted by the public authorities involved.

Anyone interested in becoming involved is urged to volunteer as a member of the Community Voice scheme.

Otherwise, invitation leaflets will be sent to homes across the county’s six districts shortly.

Steve Park, head of communications at Cumbria County Council said: “We’re keen to hear more from the public about the whole range of services provided in Cumbria, so we can ensure that these meet people’s needs. Community Voice is an excellent way for people to voice their views and the results will be used to shape service provision.

“It’s a common complaint that councils and other public organisations don’t listen to the public. Community Voice is all about listening, and acting on what we hear. I’d really encourage people to sign up if they are given the opportunity.”

The first survey will be sent out during the autumn and will focus on the environment, planning, transport and housing.

Questions will be put relating to the services provided by the district and county councils, Cumbria NHS and Cumbria Constabulary.

The panel will be managed by Craigforth Research, an independent social research company, on behalf of all the public authorities involved.

For more information about the scheme – or to volunteer to join the panel – contact Kieran Barr at Cumbria County Council on 01228 226308.

VBrenan@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 09:04, Saturday, 22 August 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk