We cannot prevent change, but what we can do is influence it. A Parish Plan can help our community to make change happen. It will give an opportunity for everyone in our community to make themselves heard.
Parish plans are documents produced by the community for the community. They provide an opportunity for rural communities to identify and act upon issues within their parish and improve the environment in which they live.
They can include everything that is relevant to the people who live and work in the community; from employment and playgrounds to the protection of hedgerows and ponds. They can also include any social, environmental, transport or economic issues.
Parish plans have the potential to influence a wide range of organisations
and processes that affect the life of rural communities. They should contribute
to the way local services are managed and delivered.
A parish plan:
- Reflects the views of all sections of the community
- Identifies which features & characteristics of the parish people value
- Identifies local problems & opportunities
- Spells out how the community wants to develop in the future
- Prepares
an action plan to achieve this vision
The
whole community should be involved in developing a parish plan in order
to achieve a common goal with individuals expressing hidden talents and
becoming more empowered and proactive. Once completed, the parish plan
is a community owned document and the actions within it are taken forward
by the community; the Parish Council, individuals, community groups and
other service providers and statutory bodies.
What
does creating a parish plan involve?
Creating a parish plan involves:
- Collecting
the views, opinions and ideas of all local people;
- Gathering evidence
and comments about local issues;
- Analysing the
information, and;
- Developing an action plan to address issues and shape the future of our community.