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New blog seeks views of the North East

The environment, health, education and regional image are some of the issues under the spotlight in a new blog which has been launched to capture views on the future of the North East. Residents are being urged to add their thoughts at www.futurematters.org.uk to help shape regional policy making.

The online message board has been launched by the Future Matters initiative run by technology commercialisation company, RTC North.

Supported by the Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast, Future Matters was launched by Prime Minister Tony Blair in December 2005 with the aim of providing consistent information on the drivers of change acting on the North East.

The Future Matters team has been working on developing possible scenarios for the future of the North East economy and society in order to better inform regional policy makers.

Project director, Phil Shakeshaft said: “We would like to encourage as many contributions as possible to bring the scenarios to life. It is crucial that we get the views of North Eastern people because their input will be vital in helping shape future policy decisions and creating a more prosperous region with a better quality of life.”

Regional development agency, One NorthEast, has provided initial funding for the Future Matters project for three years. Chief Executive Alan Clarke added: “This innovative project is helping the region better understand the problems that have held back the North East economy from performing to its full potential. Future Matters has engaged with the region, to get it thinking more constructively about its future and how we can all better prepare for it.”

To have your say on issues that will affect the future of the North East, log on to www.futurematters.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .