Forres Community Council reaches full quota of 12 members eager to link public with Moray Council
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A LOCAL watchdog group and people's link to Moray Council is celebrating a full quota of members.
In July, Forres Community Council (FCC) held its first meeting since the coronavirus lockdown started via Zoom video communication, allowing chairman Shaun Moat to introduce newly co-opted members John Innes, Jo Lenihan and Steve Ferris.
Mr Moat said: "It's great that people have joined as it means we can look at more projects to benefit the town."
A former Burgess of Forres, Mr Innes has been involved in a number of local groups including the Scouts, Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation, Forres Woodland Trust, Forres Amateur Dramatics. He also works for the maintenance department at Moray Council.
Ms Lenihan has lived in Forres for three years but has lived in Moray before, serving twice at RAF Lossiemouth. She is the secretary and treasurer for Forres Osprey Bus. She also works for the local authority as a young carer strategy officer and was previously the Armed Forces covenant project officer.
Mr Ferris is a previous FCC member of 13 years. He has spent the vast majority of his RAF career at Kinloss and Lossiemouth, having been posted to Moray in 1978. He has been involved with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and Scouting at Kinloss since 1993 and runs the Moray District Scout Shop.
FCC is a voluntary organisation set up by statute by Moray Council and run by residents to act on behalf of the Forres area. Any person aged 16 or over and resident in the FCC area can be elected or co-opted.
As well as representing the community to the local authority, FCC facilitates activities which promote the well-being of the community. FCC is also consulted by the local authority on issues including planning, environment and health.
They also advise, petition, influence and advocate causes and cases of concern on behalf of Forres.
Mr Moat said: "We want members of the public to reach out to us with their problems and attend our meetings. FCC is the voice of the community and without hearing what concerning people we can't act on their behalf.
"We have built great relationships with our elected members and departments within Moray Council. Our key objectives also include engaging with other local organisations that do work similar to that of community councils elsewhere."