Plans revealed for a new super-community website for residents in Wisbech

A TOTAL of �80,000 has been secured to develop and pilot a new community web project in Wisbech and the rural north of Fenland.

The aim will be to develop an easy to use website where residents can discuss ideas for their local neighbourhood, raise problems and highlight how improvements can be made.

The project is lead by Cambridgeshire County Council who will be working in partnership with Fenland District Council, the Rosmini Centre, Cambridgeshire Acre, Cambridge Housing Society and the police.

It is funded by the Communities and Local Government, customer-led efficiency and transformation fund.

The web project will use social medial tools such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Google maps.

The project is currently in its consultation stage and the project team are currently collecting views from young people, older people, those with disabilities, people aged 25-40 and migrant families.

In addition they are also asking for the views of local county, district, town and parish councillors and clerks.

A report to the Wisbech Neighbourhood Management Board which will meet on January 7, said the project aims to: "Enable members and officers to respond to issues and problems raised and engage directly with local residents in particular those who might not normally attend councillor surgeries, neighbourhood forums or the Community Fairs."

It added it will also: "Promote the website as complementary to the Community Fairs in Wisbech and the rural North enabling residents to raise issues at any time without having to wait for upcoming fair."

Organisers hope in the long-term it will help to bring about a reduction in the number of incidents reported, because issues will be tackled directly once they are reported on the website.

The planned website could be available from March 2010 and if it is a success it will be rolled out to the whole of Fenland.