Parish Plans

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What is a Parish Plan?

A Parish Plan is a statement of how a local community sees itself developing in the future. It sets out the needs and aspirations of the Parish based on the views and opinions of the people that actually live there.

The aim of a Parish Plan is to identify what actions the community would like to be taken, whom would be the best group to take these forward and when they could realistically be achieved. With this in mind, the Parish Plan then becomes a living document as it will be updated as and when actions are completed and people’s needs and aspirations develop.

What should a Parish Plan include?

A common misconception is that a Parish Plan is about things that people want to change in the community. A Parish Plan is an opportunity for the community to say what they want to stay the same, improve or change about their area.

Why do a Parish Plan?

At the Community Council of Shropshire we have supported over 50 parishes to create a Parish Plan and feedback as shown that a Parish Plan will:
• Bring the community closer together with a common goal
• Improve communications between the Parish Council and local people
• Address concerns about issues such as transport, housing, environment, education etc.
• Seek resident’s views about a particular project and support funding applications
• Provide an action plan to guide the actions taken in the Parish to help them meet local needs
• Supports funding application as it requires the community to be involved and consulted

Who benefits from a Parish Plan?

• Parish Council: It allows them to find out what the community wants and what may be missing from the village. It also gives them information about what facilities would be used if they were provided and by how many people.
• Local People: It enables the community to shape the future of their village and can identify local solutions to local problems. Parish Plans also help funding organisations as they are evidence of need and show who wants their money.
• The Community: Because a Parish Plan gives everybody the opportunity to contribute, not just those that are more confident, it will illustrate the communities needs more accurately. Parish Plans have also found a good way of stimulating local interest and community spirit.
• Service providers: It provides insight into how they can deliver services in a more efficient way

To find out what those Parishes that have completed the Parish Plan process thought about it, please visit the 'About Us' section and then 'publications' and check out the Parish Plan Impact Survey.

What is the ‘Parish Plan Process’?

Please open the 9 Steps process to see a general overview of what creating a Parish Plan consists of.

9 Steps Poster (a1)

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What support is available?

The Community Regeneration Officers at the Community Council of Shropshire offer support throughout the Parish Plan process, both to local council’s and members of the community that become involved. They can:
• Meet with Parish Council and advise on funding for Parish Plans
• Help organise/ advertise and attend public meetings to help encourage and assess local interest
• Help set up a Parish Plan steering group and support them through the process e.g. volunteer job descriptions, model constitution etc.
• Assist with the writing and analysing of a Parish Plan questionnaire
• Offer advice through drafting, writing and distribution of Parish Plans
• Assist with Action Planning

The Community Council of Shropshire also has a Parish Plan Information pack that can be sent out to interested members of a community and Parish Councillors.

What funding assistance is available?

The Community Council of Shropshire has three grants dedicated to Parish Plan related activities. Parish Council’s can apply for up to £2,000 to help with the funding of the Parish Plan, up to £500 towards a project that is identified in the Parish Plan and another £500 towards the ongoing monitoring of the Parish Plan.

Enquiries

Should you want any further inforamtion on any aspect of Parish Plans, please fill in the enquiry form and a member of the Community & Rural Development Team will respond promptly. Alternatively you could ring Hayley Aston on 01743 342177.

 

This project is supported by DEFRA

Page last modified: 2008-11-05 09:31:52