WHAT makes Sheffield special, what would you change, and what do you think would make the city a better place?
These are the questions city leaders want residents to answer as they draw up a five-year blueprint for the future.
Sheffield Council leader Coun Paul Scriven said: "It is an important document – and we want to reflect what the people of Sheffield really want, so we can develop a plan that represents their wishes, rather than something imposed by the Town Hall."
People are being invited to write down their views on a form being made available through libraries, post offices and community groups.
Called Wish We Were Here – Help Shape Sheffield's Future, it includes the following questions:
- What would you like Sheffield to be like in 2015, in terms of the economy and jobs, the lives of young people, the environment, older people, health, the local area and anything else you think is important to the city?
- If you could change one thing in each of the areas listed above to make Sheffield better, what would it be?
- What makes Sheffield special to you that it would be a mistake to change or get rid of?
Sheffield First Partnership – which brings together all public organisations, plus private companies and voluntary organisations in the city – is developing the strategy.
People have until January to return the forms, or they can call the partnership to give their views by telephone. They can also be filled in online at www.sheffieldfirst.org.uk/wishwewerehere.
Around 200 forms have already been completed.
Kirsty Haines, interim director of Sheffield First Partnership, said: "The challenge is to see what people want and how we can make it happen.
"We will be continuing to find out people's views into next year and hope to put together a report by October, which will then have to be approved by the full council."
Other public bodies, such as the police and health service, will be asked to take on board the recommendations and their performance will be measured against the aims of the report.
Sheffield First Partnership is inviting individuals and members of community groups to a consultation meeting about the plan at Memorial Hall, at the rear of City Hall, on the evening of Wednesday December 9. Call the partnership on 0114 273 5654 to reserve a place.
- The Star would also like to hear your answers to the questions posed by Sheffield First Partnership. Email
richard.marsden@thestar.co.uk, write to Richard Marsden, News Reporter, The Star, York Street, Sheffield, S1 1PU or add your comment below.
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