Hampshire sets the example

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is calling on all County Associations of Local Councils with parish and town councils to follow the example of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC) by forging closer links with local Rotary Clubs.

HALC has signed a corporate partnership with Rotary District recently, with plans to work together in 2015 across Hampshire and East Dorset.

For 2015, there are two main projects already taking shape. Firstly, Local Rotary Clubs will be inviting local councils to work in partnership in jointly improving winter lights displays for 2015.  They have deliberately chosen ‘Winter Lights’ to add an economic and social boost during the winter months November to February. 

Secondly, an exciting charity cycle ride – The Rotary Ride - due to take place across the country on Father’s Day 2015, being 21 June will be launched in Spring 2015.  Communities will be invited to get involved with cycle rides, big and small, in 2015 to support Prostate Cancer charities.

Cllr Ken Browse, chair of NALC, commended these projects: “NALC is calling on all County Associations of Local Councils, parish and town councils to look work more closely with local rotary clubs on various community projects. At the heart of the parish sector it shares many things in common with Rotary Clubs and these are around having dedicated people who share a passion for both public community service and representation.”

Mike Jackson, District Governor of Rotary 1110 and Steven Lugg, chief executive of HALC vowed to work together in growing community partnerships across the Hampshire and the East Dorset area.

Mike Jackson said: “Rotary is ‘the Greatest Charity in the World’ and is delivering a wide range of humanitarian projects on both the local, national and international stage. Rotary also has a wide range of business skills within its membership, and looks forward to working closely with local councils in growing community across our District.”

Steven Lugg said: “We intend to support communities through improving our lights displays in towns and villages, and through a health and well-being focus in 2015.  With the parish or town council as the local tax-raising body, co-joined with the financial and volunteering resources of Rotary, this is a positive and powerful partnership which is exciting for all.”