New look Community Council relaunches
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FORRES Community Council (FCC) has re-branded in an attempt to reach a wider local audience.
The statutory body whose main role is to act as a channel of the opinions of the local community now has Facebook and Twitter pages, making it easier for members of the public to raise local issues.
FCC chairman Graham Hilditch explained: "We have felt for some time that we are not reaching out to and engaging with a wide enough audience. Far too many people do not know who we are or the work that we do on behalf of the community.
"It is very much a two-way thing, and feedback from the community - hopefully positive suggestions - can only be a good thing."
Community councils have the right to be notified of, and respond to, planning applications. They can get involved in local projects mostly related to local infrastructure such as footpaths, parks, playgrounds and local events. They are dependent upon local authority funding which is usually received for running costs only.
FCC covers Forres, Mundole, Mannachie, Sanquhar, Knockomie, Chapelton, Balnageith, Invererne, Waterford, Seafield, Hillhead, Netherton, Lochyhill, Springfield, Forres Enterprise Park.
The current members are Graham Hilditch, Graham Murdoch, Michael Walker, Lesley Edwards, David Parker, Alan Tissiman, Chas Rodger, Kenny Shand, Gordon Thornton and new secretary Shaun Moat.
Mr Hilditch said: "We are very keen to engage more with younger people, from school students to young families and to represent their best interests.
"With this is mind, we are keen to encourage members of the community to join the organisation and to be part of the change."
A new FCC website (www.forrescc.co.uk) will store meeting minutes, feature work it is involved in, and link into other community organisations.
Each community councillor will eventually have a section on the website where they can give the public feedback on issues such as health and wellbeing, sport, education, youth, business, planning, transport and disability.
New secretary Mr Moat designed a new FCC logo.
Mr Hilditch said: "Shaun pointed out that the old logo had been created in the 1930's and was used by other organisations in the town. It was important to create a logo that was unique and gave a modern, forward thinking identity. The artwork on the right side represents Nelson's Tower, but from the distance could easily double for Sueno's stone, a clever if unintentional addition."
