Young People Kick Off Local Democracy Week Early

Yesterday afternoon young people from Portsmouth Youth Parliament and COPS (Council of Portsmouth Students) met in the Council Chamber to debate 'Why should I stay in Portsmouth?'. 

The Lord Mayor chaired the debate with Full Council rules and two parties were formed, RANT and RAVE.  
 

Great points were made by both sides and the articulate nature of those involved was a credit to young people in our great city.  A reason to stay!


Try our slideshow maker at Animoto.

Click on 'Local Democracy Week 2012' for more information on the free events and activities available.

Portsmouth residents help shape city centre and seafront

Residents in Portsmouth are having their say on how the seafront and the city centre should look in years to come.

Portsmouth City Council is asking for your views on blueprints for the two areas, which will lay down how they develop over the next 15 years. 

The blueprints, called masterplans, set out what kind of improvements the council would like to see. When finalised, the documents will help decide planning applications, guide private developers and allocate public-sector investment. 

A leaflet summarising the masterplans is going to all homes in the city this week. 

You can see copies of the masterplans at: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/25964.html 

You can see printed copies at: 

• the ground floor of the Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth 

  Opening hours: Monday -Thursday 8:30am–5pm, Friday 8:30am–4pm 

• city council libraries 

  Opening times can be found at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/learning/libraries.html 

• the following area offices: Buckland, City South /Somerstown, Landport, Paulsgrove and Portsea. 

  For addresses and opening times see www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/498.html 

• at city council community centres. 

  For addresses and opening times, see www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/787.html 

You can have your say by: 

• emailing ldf@portsmouthcc.gov.uk 

• writing to Planning Services, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AU 

• filling in a survey at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/25964.html 

• talking to council officers at a drop-in event, neighbourhood forum or focus group near you. 

  Check www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/25964.html for details. 

If you have any queries, please call us on 023 9268 8633.

Please ensure that your comments reach us by Friday 14 September 2012.

Rant or Rave for Portsmouth!

What would you rave about locally?  What about Portsmouth makes it better than the rest?  Or maybe something about your local area really winds you up?  Whether you are ranting or raving - Portsmouth City Council want to hear about it.

We're launching our Rant or Rave campaign between 11am and 3pm in Palmerston Road, Southsea on Saturday 26 May.  From water to waste, parks to parking, we want to hear your opinions.  You have a voice, and whether it's ranting or raving, we want to hear it!  Why not come along and share your thoughts on the city?

Simply come along and complete one of our rant and rave cards, tear off the side you want to use (or both!) and post in one of our rant or rave collection boxes, or post to the freepost address as found on the card.

The event is organised by Portsmouth City Council and the Neighbourhood Forums across Southsea. As well as ranting or raving, you'll also be able to find out how you might go about setting up an action group, starting a petition, joining a forum, contacting your councillor, and much much more.

Communities Engagement Manager, James Sandy says:
"We are keen to hear your Rants and Raves.  Everyone feels strongly about what they like or dislike about the city.  This event aims to get your views on how to make Portsmouth a better place, how to help make your opinions heard and explores some of the processes involved in bringing about change in the local area."

"We're using this first Rant or Rave event to help find out what residents think, provide information about local services and link people to community groups on the ground. Come along and tell us your views, we'd love to see you there!"

Find out more by clicking on the 'Rant or Rave' tab above.

Have an idea to make Fratton a better place to live?

Fratton is one of 150 areas in England receiving Big Lottery funding over the next 10 years.  The £1 million is to help make it a better place to live in, now and in the future.

Fratton Big Local have unveiled two new initiatives to provide funding for local people with ideas on how to make Fratton a better place to live.

Do you have any idea for how to make Fratton a better place to live?
Do you want to apply for some money to kick start your idea?
Do you have what it takes to pitch your idea to a panel of Fratton Dragons?

You can apply for between £50 and £500 to help deliver a project that benefits Fratton.  To request your application pack, email frattonbiglocal@yahoo.co.uk or pop into Fratton Community Centre.

Mentoring support from Highbury College and the University of Portsmouth will be available at drop-in session during May, visit their website for more information.

60 loans are available to those who live, work or study in Fratton, to put towards positive change.

Do you have an idea?

The Challenge:

• Come up with a business plan which will make money and benefit people in Fratton.
• Apply for your £10 loan; request an application pack from frattonbiglocal@yahoo.co.uk 
• Award catagories are: Innovation, Community Benefit and Profit.

To Tweet or not to Tweet?

Tweet
An Introduction to Social Media and Social Networking

Are you looking for new ways to collaborate, communicate, share information and resources and engage new people to your voluntary group or organisation? Have you heard about social software tools such as Twitter and Facebook but never used them or been able to see how they could be useful to you or your organisation?

Come along to a hands-on practical workshop where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the potential of a number of tools such as Twitter, Skype, Youtube and Friendfeed.

The workshop will also consider the issues associated with using social software tools and look at practical steps that can be taken to minimise the risks.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Tweet

You and your ambulance service - Get involved (information about the Trust)

Download here - http://tinyurl.com/6xdepmw

This booklet (link above) highlights what happens when you call 999 in a medical emergency and gives more information about the professionals who may attend you. It also outlines how you can help South Central Ambulance Service to help the communities they serve. This could be as a community first responder, volunteer car driver, fundraiser, or by becoming a member on their journey towards becoming a foundation trust.