Town Team Seeks Local Community Representative

Are you interested in what is happening in Hailsham and the local area? Do you want to help make a real difference at a grass roots level?

The Hailsham Forward Partnership, the Town Team born out of the Mary Portas Vision for revitalising town centres and set up by Hailsham Town Council, is seeking a community representative to help drive forward the Team’s goals and aspirations.

Representatives of Hailsham-based community groups and voluntary organisations are welcome to express their interest by submitting an application to sit on the Hailsham Forward Executive, which meets monthly to discuss plans and progress of ongoing and future town revitalisation projects.

Membership is open to anyone who supports Hailsham Forward’s objectives and wants to contribute in some way towards them.

Hailsham Forward, which is made up of local councillors, businesses, economic development officers and the Member of Parliament for Wealden is working on a number of projects to help drive the revitalisation of the town centre and surrounding urban environment forward.

The Team has been responsible for:

• The ongoing development of Hailsham Street Market, which was set up by Hailsham forward in August 2013, together with semi-regular specialist market events
• Building on the work that the Movement and Access for Hailsham & Hellingly (MASHH) steering group has started, including town centre infrastructure improvements, traffic management and parking
• Establishing and organising fora for community groups, including sports clubs, voluntary associations and interest groups to meet and share ideas and projects
• Communicating with landlords and tenants of commercial properties in the town centre to improve frontages and adopting zero tolerance on dilapidated buildings
• Setting up the Hailsham Shopping & Services Directory for residents and visitors, an online guide accessed via QR codes displayed throughout the town

In addition to the above, Hailsham Forward has consulted businesses in industrial parks to address plans on how to improve access and parking in these areas, set up a Hailsham Card loyalty scheme offering special discounts to shoppers and benefits to retail businesses, and continues to work in partnership with Hailsham Active to improve sports facilities in the area.

Town Mayor and Chairman of the Hailsham Forward Stakeholder Group, Councillor Nigel Coltman, encourages applicants to come forward and represent the local community: “If you want to help make our town a better place to live, work and visit, please do get involved by attending and participating in Hailsham Forward meetings, contribute ideas and take part in our projects, initiatives and activities.”

“With some major changes due in the Hailsham area over the next few years, now is a great time to join the Town Team as a representative of a local community group or association.”

Deputy Town Clerk and Business Enterprise Manager, Mickey Caira said: “Hailsham Forward, working with partner organisations such as East Sussex and Wealden District Councils as well as local businesses and residents, helps drive town revitalisation and initiatives from the ground up and you can be a part of this.”

“When you become a member of the Hailsham Forward Executive, you can attend and participate in regular Town Team meetings, report on how local community groups and residents are getting on and make sure the aims of our projects are achieved.”

To apply for the voluntary position, please write to Mickey Caira, Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, BN27 2AE (email: mickey.caira@hailsham-tc.gov.uk), with contact details including which community group you represent) and a statement on what you think you can bring to the Hailsham Forward Partnership.

The closing date for applications is Friday 22^nd July 2016 and the successful applicant will be selected at the meeting of the Hailsham Forward Stakeholder Group to be held at Diplocks Hall on Friday 29^th July 2016 (10am).

For further information on Hailsham forward projects visit www.hailshamforward .co.uk