Radford and Hyson Green are diverse, dynamic communities full of people with talent, ability, drive and ideas. An area with great character and immense potential which provides a base for a wide range of businesses as well as a wide range of community and voluntary organisations and dedicated public servants. Yet this is also an area with challenges and problems and in which much more could be done both to realise the full potential of the area and the people who live there as well as creating new opportunities. It is this conviction that has led a group of people to volunteer to be Trustees of NDC.
Government appointed advisors appealed for people to come forward to help and 62 people responded to the initial advert, many of whom attended special briefing meetings. Through an independent, transparent and testing process a small group of people were selected. They bring with them a broad range of skills and knowledge and between them over many years of public and voluntary service. Importantly they also share a passion and commitment for the area and a strong desire to see local people benefit from what happens next. They know that the unpaid role that they have taken on carries with it a huge burden of responsibility and that the task they face is a challenging and exacting one.
The newly appointed Trustees recognise that the local community and its wider stakeholders will be rightly impatient to know what will happen next and what difference their leadership of NDC will make to the legacy it creates. What they also know is that the best decisions are based on a proper understanding of the current barriers to delivery, a careful assessment of the opportunities and community needs. They believe it is crucial that the right decisions are made based on solid foundations and that they strike a chord both with local people but also with the partner stakeholder agencies – public, community and private who are so vital to delivery and success. They know that they have a very important role as a catalyst but ultimately will need to rely on the skills, support and contributions of others to succeed.
The team is committed to working together as trustees, with staff and all key partners, to maximise the benefits to local people, businesses and the area as a whole of all remaining funds. They will be making informed decisions for the short term and also looking to develop effective legacy arrangements after the public funding ends in 2010.