Engaging with the
Community
Making sure that we
try to meet the needs and expectations of the community is
essential and the Town Council has in place a Communications
Plan to develop this engagement. Each Councillor is
available to assist the townspeople, especially those within
the ward he/she represents. Many examples can be found
of where Councillors have positively responded to people’s
needs, been instrumental in the provision of new amenities or
have encouraged other organisations to appropriately deliver
services. Members of staff, too, are important in
achieving a helpful and supportive dialogue with members of
the community.
Being realistic, it would be too costly and unmanageable to
continually survey the entire community to seek views but we want
to ensure that the public voice is heard. All our Council and
Committee meetings are open to the public and although the
opportunity to input is time-limited we welcome constructive
comments that are related to the Council’s business.
Councillors will continue to meet their community at various events
and open days to be held at the Council Offices.
To aim to reach as many people as possible, relevant information
will be carried on this website but we acknowledge that there are
sections of the townspeople who cannot or will not access
this. For them and for those having additional needs, the
opportunity will continue to contact the Council Offices and
receive information on request. We will also draw attention
to key information on our notice boards.
We intend to build solid relationships with key organisations
throughout the Town in a way that informed decisions can be made
and information exchanged. Many of these relationships have
already been established and show how effective we have been in
working together, for example in sponsoring the Christmas
lights and supporting Bury in Bloom. If you are part of an
organisation that would wish to contribute to the dialogue with the
Town Council then please let us know on 01284 725111. We are
particularly keen to take into account the views of all, including
those who may be underrepresented for any reason, for example
through age, cultural diversity, sensory impairment etc.
Members of the media are always welcome at our Council and
Committee meetings but we appreciate that not all our business
appears in the press or on the radio although we will endeavour to
use these means to transmit public information.
Above all,
we need your feedback. We welcome
compliments, suggestions and complaints and will summarise how we
have dealt with these in the form of ‘You said, we did’. So
please make your views known via e-mail, telephone, letter or in
person as shown on the ‘Contact Us’ page of this website.
St Edmund’s Day
Awards
The Town Council is proud to celebrate the feast of St Edmund
(20 November) and views it as an occasion to recognise signiificant
contributions made by members of the community and to inspire
individuals and organisations within the town.
There are two categories of award:
- Bury St Edmunds Citizen of the Year Award - ‘The St Edmund
Medal’ - for those of or over the age of 18 years
- Bury St Edmunds Young Citizen of the Year Award - ‘The St
Edmund Shield’ - for people under the age of 18
years
Further details will be published on
this website to indicate the criteria for
eligibilty.