Previous Schemes
'Have your Say' - Bolton Community Payback Nomination Scheme
In April 2009 residents of Bolton were given the chance to have their say on Community Payback projects.
Members of the public were asked to vote on five schemes and could register their favourite scheme either by ringing a dedicated telephone number or online to choose from the Churchgate Subway; Farnworth old burial area; the railway area off Pennington Road; the public walkway off Chorley New Road and Seven Acres Country Park.
The results were announced on 4th June.
The Churchgate Subway came out the clear winner. Offenders started work immediately and spent four days transforming the area by clearing up both entrances to the subway and inside the structure, cutting back bushes, picking up litter and removing graffiti and clearing pathways.
Executive member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Councillor Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, said:
“The Community Payback voting scheme was really well received and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote. Churchgate Subway is a particularly well-used thoroughfare by local residents, town centre workers and shoppers and is a worthy winner. Many people think that offenders get an easy ride on Community Payback, which is not the case, so I hope people are pleased with this high profile project and the results of their hard work".
Beverley Phillips, Bolton’s Community Payback manager for the Greater Manchester Probation Trust, said:
“I am really pleased that so many voted in the scheme and that it is helping to generate greater participation in the criminal justice system. We are already hearing from lots of people who are recommending projects to us that offenders will hopefully be tackling in the future. It is vital that justice is seen to be done and this project is helping to make that a reality".
This is just the beginning of a new approach in which the public in Bolton are being encouraged to have their say and to make suggestions about what Community Payback work should be done.