Online forum to promote local democracy for remote communities in Dales

THE internet is being used to forge closer links between some of the remotest communities in England in a bid to streamline services between town and parish councils.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Jul 2012, 07:00 BST

Richmondshire District Council announced yesterday that a new website has been launched to provide a link for isolated communities throughout the Upper Dales.

The Parishconnect site is aimed at bringing together the parish and town councils across areas including Swaledale and Upper Wensleydale to share resources and pool ideas.

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The site was designed by an Askrigg-based website company, ISB Design, after the Upper Dales Area Partnership raised the need for a “network tool” for parishes. The site has cost £2,000 to develop with funding provided by the partnership.

Richmondshire District Council’s leader, Coun John Blackie, claimed the move will help streamline resources as the public sector is faced with making swingeing cutbacks amid the Government’s austerity drive.

It is also hoped the site will give councillors the chance to engage through an online forum rather than having to organise as many face-to-face meetings and therefore cut down on travel expenses amid the soaring cost of fuel.

Coun Blackie, who is also the Upper Dales Area Partnership’s chairman, said: “The benefits gained from a co-ordinated approach, sharing resources and working more closely together can be seen as a direct advantage of the website.

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“The website can be used for information exchange and collaboration. This offers the remote and sparsely populated communities in the 325 square miles of upland territory that is the Upper Dales an opportunity for a united voice, a powerful tool for addressing mutually shared concerns over difficulties in accessing services.”

The new website has two main elements – a visitor section for members of the public and another area tailored specifically for members of parish councils which can be access through a private “portal”. The visitor area contains local information and links to parish council agendas and minutes, while the portal section is a private area where parish clerks and councillors can discuss topics of interest, request help or advice or post general reminders for other authorities.

The website can be accessed at parishconnect.co.uk

Related topics:EnglandGovernment