A COMMUNITY group is preparing a plan for the future of its area - and is urging as many residents as possible to take up the opportunity to have their say in a new survey.

The Westham Community Group has launched its new Action Plan Survey which asks residents what they like about the area, what they don’t like and how they would like to see Westham improved. It will focus on all aspects of life including volunteering opportunities, community-based activities and issues around antisocial behaviour.

There are two versions of the survey; one for adults and one for younger people under 18 years old. Westham Community Group will then share the information gathered with both Dorset Council and Weymouth Town Council.

Gill Taylor, Chair of the Community Group, said: "We need as many people as possible to take part in this survey. It is easy for us to think we know what Westham needs and we all have ideas but so often we are responding to what just a few residents are asking for.

"With the information from this survey we will be in a position to improve our area knowing that it is what our residents are asking for. I’d also like to thank all the partners who have been involved so far, we could not do this without them."

Cllr David Harris, Leader of Weymouth Town Council, and Cllr Alex Furhmann, Weymouth Town Councillor for Westham East said: "This information will help the Westham Community group understand what this part of Weymouth needs and will give us information to enable us to better support this community. Having a survey specifically for young people is brilliant as it is the young people who are the future of our town. We encourage young people in the area to have their say and to share their views with us”.

Cllr Ryan Hope, Dorset Council member for Westham, said: "Information is always key. Dorset Council are working with Westham Community Group to take this piece of work forward, the results will be used in a number of ways when we are forming our plans for the future. This is the first project of its kind in Dorset for many years and it is hoped it will be something which other areas could benefit from."

The survey is currently available online and runs from now until November 19, after which the information will be presented at a public meeting in December.

The online survey is available at https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=162928129330 and the young peoples survey can be found at https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=163059016262