23 Fishermead residents and workers representing 12 institutions attended an Accountability Assembly to engage with local Councillor Donna Fuller (top right of main picture and below).
Following a live BBC Look East broadcast from the Trinity Centre earlier in the week, they wanted her reaction to their agenda for change developed at a Delegates Assembly in March.
The Assembly was hosted by the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission on Pentewan Avenue, Fishermead, and began with a welcome from Eric Shan Lin (above) followed by a moment of silence in memory of local Cllr Carole Baume, ‘a special kind of politician’ who recently died.
Representing the local Council electoral candidate from the Labour Party, who was unable to attend, and in the absence of Conservative and LibDem candidates who had also been invited, sitting Councillor Fuller was asked to respond to a series of questions about Road Safety, Crime, Community and the Environment (see below).
Councillor Fuller responded positively to all the asks and pledged to work with the developing Fishermead Citizens Alliance to achieve its goals. She said: “For me this is about building a relationship with you. I am more than happy to represent and advocate for you. I just need you to tell me what you need. I personally commit and (if she is elected) I am sure Amber will too.”
Cllr Fuller’s support was welcomed and it was agreed there would be follow-up meetings with her.
In post-event evaluation, leaders gave a score of 8 out of 10.
Hear audio of the Assembly (with thanks to Eric).
(Photos by Zdenka Mgbolu.)
The Asks
Road Safety
- How would you be able to engage with your local supporters to assist with the petition
- campaign to ensure we gather as many signatures as possible?
- If elected how would you support the campaign on the local council?
Crime
- If elected, how would you make crime reduction on Fishermead a key priority?
- How would you support the establishment of a local shopkeepers forum to share
Community
- Would you commit to meeting the community at the breakfast club on a monthly basis?
- When we have identified a long-term solution for managing a community café, would you commit to support in any areas we encounter difficulties?
Environment
- Will you support local initiatives (clearing up footpaths, organising a community garden, landscaping) on Fishermead both financially and logistically?
- Will you make the maintenance of Fishermead (landscaping, waste removal, street lights, roads and pavements, proper signage) your priority by facilitating the communication with different authorities and advocating on our behalf?