The award winning ShapeYourPlace.org, launched in Fenland 2010, puts local people in the driving seat allowing them to hold local public services to account.
Where local people raise issues, local councils, the police, the fire service and many other organisations will respond with how they can resolve them if possible.
Visitors to ShapeYourPlace – Huntingdonshire can:
* Report issues, start campaigns and suggest ideas to improve where they live
* See what’s been reported and join in conversations with residents
* Receive updates about how issues have been resolved if possible
* Promote local clubs, groups, events and activities
ShapeYourPlace – Huntingdonshire is divided up into seven areas – Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Ramsey, Sawtry, North Huntingdonshire and West Huntingdonshire allowing residents to really find out and talk about what’s local to them.
The ShapeYourPlace launch will take place on 15 August at Huntingdon Market. Everyone is welcome to drop by the ShapeYourPlace market stall to find out more about the project and how they can get involved.
The site has a proven track record in Fenland, from getting roads improved to helping to increase participation in local clubs and groups.
The project also trains volunteer community reporters who can blog and video community issues, events and give free publicity to community groups.
Councillor Mac McGuire, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Deputy Leader at Cambridgeshire County Council said: "ShapeYourPlace is a one-stop shop where people can come together online to talk about what really matters to them. It is part of Cambridgeshire Public Services drive to put communities at the heart of what they do. The beauty of the site is it offers transparency, letting everyone see what local services have to say about particular problems. People can also use the website as an online community newsletter where they can share news about events and activities. From what we’ve seen in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire, we are confident ShapeYourPlace in Huntingdonshire will be just as successful."
Councillor Jason Ablewhite, Executive Leader at Huntingdonshire District Council, said: "We think ShapeYourPlace is a fantastic forum where open democracy can thrive. It is the perfect compliment to Huntingdonshire Matters, which will help set the long term priorities for the district for the next 10 or 20 years. Local people can use ShapeYourPlace to tell each other, councillors and local public services what their day to day concerns are affecting where they live. ShapeYourPlace gives local people the opportunity to shape their community."