Forres area Development Trust plans move forward

17 June 2011

A steering group is making progress with plans to establish a community-led Development Trust for the Forres area.

The group held its inaugural meeting on 7 June, following the publication of a report on the open meeting hosted by the Forres Area Forum on 30 March. The initiative is intended to help bring about a community-led response to the challenges facing the Forres area, including those associated with the imminent closure of RAF Kinloss.

"A development trust will help ensure that the Forres area remains a place where people want to live and work, now and in the future" said Forum vice-chair and project coordinator Fabio Villani. "A number of practical suggestions have already been made regarding potential projects for the organisation to take forward, including for example community buy-outs of local assets to be developed for community benefit, initiatives to improve public transport in the area and so on."

"A development trust could act as an 'anchor' organisation for all the existing community organisations involved," added Neil Ross, Head of Community Growth at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). "HIE is keen to help make the case for securing funding for a community controlled trust, acting as an anchor organisation, to employ a development officer. That officer could support the trust with the consultation, planning, prioritisation, resourcing and implementation of an overall community plan. The officer could also help other organisations taking forward the highest priority projects identified by the community. HIE is already providing help from experienced officers to support the community's efforts and facilitate wider multi agency involvement and support for the community's investigations and developments."

The steering group is looking at a number of ways to ensure that everyone in the area which makes up the Forres Academy catchment area, can have a say in the projects to be taken forward. These will include a community survey to explore local attitudes and aspirations and to measure the local communities' confidence. The group is currently discussing the details of the survey, which it plans to launch in August,

The group is keen to tap into and build on the many existing community organisations and networks while also providing opportunities for interested individuals to be involved. "There will be many opportunities for people to influence and comment on the community plan to be drawn up by the development trust, as well as the order in which elements of the plan will be taken forward" Fabio Villani said. "However, the earlier people get involved, the more influence they are likely to have in shaping our plans, so we are keen for people to be involved as early as possible. Members of the steering group will be contacting key groups in the area to encourage them to help shape the way the trust develops and its initial plans, and anyone interested can contact me on fabio@fabiovillani.co.uk or 07900 614927 at any time to learn more about the initiative and to become involved."

The next meeting of the steering group is in the evening of Monday 11 July.