Prayer for Council / Councillors

Councillor Olwyn Luckley writes

September 2009

The Council, like those it serves, is having to cope with our changed financial situation. It is clear that both now and in the coming years, financial resources for the Council are going to be severely altered. But at the same time, the services it provides on behalf of Carlisle citizens still have to be maintained and be affordable.

1) Council Decision making

Like many other Councils up and down the land, hard choices and decisions are having to be made. A transformation/reorganisation of the Council itself is to take place. This will mean changes for the staff.
Pray for those making the decisions; and for those whose circumstances will be affected.

2) Finance -

Presently, the Council not only financially supports its own services but also to a degree, the services of other bodies. Many of these are volunteer or part volunteer organisations. In these difficult times this will be more difficult to do.
With these organisations in mind, pray for the Council to take the right decisions in regard to the support that is needed.
At the same time, the circumstances of all members of our community are affected by the financial situation. They will need to be supported in whatever way the Council is able.

3) Surveys - taken on the views of the public make it clear that there are a number of priorities the public has:-

a) A clean environment.
b) Affordable housing and safe and secure neighbourhoods.
c) Our children and young people to have facilities for their leisure time
d) A prosperous city and area to grow up and work in.
Please pray for the continuing work of the Council in its determined efforts, (not always recognised) to achieve these aims.

4) Homelessness -

As the Councillor whose portfolio includes homelessness, I would ask you especially for continuing prayer for:-
a) those suffering or threatened with homelessness;
b) for those officers working to support them;
c) for the homelessness projects presently being progressed.
Pray for the Centre of Excellence, Shaddongate (a training and resource centre), hopefully to be built next year.
Pray about the search for the right location for a new family and single women's accommodation and that the Council plans to build.
Pray for the Gypsy and Travellers site - the building of which is due to be commenced this month.

Councillors and Staff have heavy burdens to shoulder at the moment.
But with God's help Carlisle will come through these difficult times as it has in the past.

With grateful thanks,
Olwyn