Team to form a green space vision for Forres

by Forres Gazette

AROUND 25 people have offered to help achieve the ‘green space’ aims of the Forres 2020 Vision.

Following the inaugural meeting of the Forres Green Spaces User Group at the town hall last week, the volunteers have agreed to progress some of the priorities detailed in the 2020 Vision Action Plan, launched last November.

These include joint management of local woodland, meadows, fields and orchards with Moray Council.

Community support officer, Sylvia Jamieson, said: “It will be a pragmatic group, not just a talking shop but one that actively helps progress work by groups in green spaces in Forres.”

Ms Jamieson and lands and parks officer, Ken Kennedy, confirmed shared goals with the volunteers, and how they can be achieved through partnership working.

Initially, the attendees were seated in four groups facilitated by council representatives Ms Jamieson, Mr Kennedy, Grant Speed (Lands and Parks) and Emma Gordon (Development Plans).

They looked at: what Forres already has in terms of green spaces work; what would make things easier for the people working in them; and how this could be achieved.

The working group was formed afterwards, including representatives from Forres Community CouncilForres Sports HubForres Area Community Trust, the Sanquhar improvement group, Dava Way Association, Castlehill Veg, Forres in BloomForres Rotary Club and Forres Theme Day.

Ms Jamieson added: “There was recognition of the huge amount of work being done by volunteers already, and the number of events and activities taking place in them.

“Common themes and ideas for action included recruiting volunteers (particularly younger folk), sharing resources and volunteers, joint funding applications, joint responses to consultations, training opportunities and sharing of information/networking.”

The next meeting of the Green Spaces User Group will be in March or April.

New member, Sandra Maclennan of Forres In Bloom said: “It is to be hoped that this will happen soon and momentum can be revitalised.”

Ms Gordon highlighted the forthcoming drop-in consultation event at Forres Town Hall (Thursday, March 8, 2-8pm) on the Local Development Plan Main Issues Report and the ongoing core paths consultation.