Must we have a Parish Plan?
Not at all. But by producing the Plan everyone gets involved in deciding what is important to our community. The existence of a Parish Plan helps inform and guide decision making about how our community develops in the future and what types of services best suit our needs.
Why do we need a Parish Plan?
Because as the government begins to reduce the budget deficit and cut back public services, it will be important to have access to the support we need to become more resilient and capable of looking after our own needs. It will also help ensure our community develops (or indeed, stays the same) in a way that the majority of us want it to. On 6th September the vast majority of the 40-50 people attending a public meeting in the Griffin Hall voted in favour of creating a Parish Plan.
Is the Parish Plan just about housing?
The Plan is about what we want it to be about. Housing may be very important for some communities but not for others. It is up to us to state our needs and priorities. This is another reason why it is important that as many people as possible participate in the consultation process.
Will the Parish Plan help us get new facilities?
Yes. If you have consulted widely with the community and come up with clear evidence of need, the Plan will help to make a case for the appropriate organisations to consider requests for funds for local projects. Critical to the success of the plan will be our ability to listen to the needs and concerns of others before reaching collective solutions that benefit the community as a whole.
How can the preparation of the Parish Plan benefit from my involvement?
The best way is if volunteers from all parts of the community carry out the majority of the work. In that way the Plan can be considered to be a truly local project that has the ownership and support of everyone. As the plan gather momentum we hope more and more volunteers will lend their time and energy to the process, realising the collective contribution they can make to improve things locally. This renewed interest in community wellbeing can also result in new community groups being set up, ensuring that we continue to work and socialise together long after the plan has been finalised and the projects implemented.
Will I have to join a committee or some other group to be involved?
Not if you don’t want to. Volunteers are needed for all sorts of activities and any offers of help will be most welcome. However, if you just wish to have your say by completing the questionnaire then that is fine as well. Please contact a member of the Steering Group if you wish to be involved.
Will I have to contribute to the cost?
Running events and printing the finished Parish Plan costs a relatively small sum. The Parish Council and Oxfordshire Rural Communities Council have already made contributions to these costs. Some additional fundraising may be necessary but it will be an entirely voluntary process.
Are the results of the Parish Plan binding on the Parish Council?
The Parish Council should endorse the Plan and think of it as a statement of local policy. They may also be involved in implementing some of the actions alongside residents and special working groups.
How long will it take to prepare a Parish Plan?
Between 12 to 18 months depending on the number of volunteers that are available to help out.
Do district and county councils fully support Parish Plans?
Both the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council support and actively promote Parish Plans. Working with officers and councillors throughout the creation of the plan has seen many benefits to other villages in Oxfordshire. By providing advice and supporting the delivery of some projects, both councils are able to make sure that the energy and commitment of volunteers compliments broader strategies.
Are other agencies involved, for example the police and health service?
Yes. Many public agencies now have a statutory duty to consult the public and through the Plan, we may be able to make a positive contribution to local planning and service delivery. It is best if we involve these agencies as well as other service providers at the start of the exercise.
How does the Parish Plan relate to the Sustainable Community Strategy?
Parish Plans contain evidence of local needs and proposed solutions which taken together can be useful for identifying strategic priorities across a wider area. The Oxfordshire Partnership has included targets in their Sustainable Community Strategy for the county to increase the number of communities benefiting from involvement in Parish Plans and the number of actions progressed.
Not at all. But by producing the Plan everyone gets involved in deciding what is important to our community. The existence of a Parish Plan helps inform and guide decision making about how our community develops in the future and what types of services best suit our needs.
Why do we need a Parish Plan?
Because as the government begins to reduce the budget deficit and cut back public services, it will be important to have access to the support we need to become more resilient and capable of looking after our own needs. It will also help ensure our community develops (or indeed, stays the same) in a way that the majority of us want it to. On 6th September the vast majority of the 40-50 people attending a public meeting in the Griffin Hall voted in favour of creating a Parish Plan.
Is the Parish Plan just about housing?
The Plan is about what we want it to be about. Housing may be very important for some communities but not for others. It is up to us to state our needs and priorities. This is another reason why it is important that as many people as possible participate in the consultation process.
Will the Parish Plan help us get new facilities?
Yes. If you have consulted widely with the community and come up with clear evidence of need, the Plan will help to make a case for the appropriate organisations to consider requests for funds for local projects. Critical to the success of the plan will be our ability to listen to the needs and concerns of others before reaching collective solutions that benefit the community as a whole.
How can the preparation of the Parish Plan benefit from my involvement?
The best way is if volunteers from all parts of the community carry out the majority of the work. In that way the Plan can be considered to be a truly local project that has the ownership and support of everyone. As the plan gather momentum we hope more and more volunteers will lend their time and energy to the process, realising the collective contribution they can make to improve things locally. This renewed interest in community wellbeing can also result in new community groups being set up, ensuring that we continue to work and socialise together long after the plan has been finalised and the projects implemented.
Will I have to join a committee or some other group to be involved?
Not if you don’t want to. Volunteers are needed for all sorts of activities and any offers of help will be most welcome. However, if you just wish to have your say by completing the questionnaire then that is fine as well. Please contact a member of the Steering Group if you wish to be involved.
Will I have to contribute to the cost?
Running events and printing the finished Parish Plan costs a relatively small sum. The Parish Council and Oxfordshire Rural Communities Council have already made contributions to these costs. Some additional fundraising may be necessary but it will be an entirely voluntary process.
Are the results of the Parish Plan binding on the Parish Council?
The Parish Council should endorse the Plan and think of it as a statement of local policy. They may also be involved in implementing some of the actions alongside residents and special working groups.
How long will it take to prepare a Parish Plan?
Between 12 to 18 months depending on the number of volunteers that are available to help out.
Do district and county councils fully support Parish Plans?
Both the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council support and actively promote Parish Plans. Working with officers and councillors throughout the creation of the plan has seen many benefits to other villages in Oxfordshire. By providing advice and supporting the delivery of some projects, both councils are able to make sure that the energy and commitment of volunteers compliments broader strategies.
Are other agencies involved, for example the police and health service?
Yes. Many public agencies now have a statutory duty to consult the public and through the Plan, we may be able to make a positive contribution to local planning and service delivery. It is best if we involve these agencies as well as other service providers at the start of the exercise.
How does the Parish Plan relate to the Sustainable Community Strategy?
Parish Plans contain evidence of local needs and proposed solutions which taken together can be useful for identifying strategic priorities across a wider area. The Oxfordshire Partnership has included targets in their Sustainable Community Strategy for the county to increase the number of communities benefiting from involvement in Parish Plans and the number of actions progressed.
