Initial Preparation
Right, so you've taken the decision to embark upon a Parish Plan. What next?
Consultation is the key to setting off on the right foot. Getting in touch with the right people will enable you to consider all the factors before any physical output is decided upon. This list will include, but is not limited to :
- your local Rural Community Council
- your local Town or Parish Council
- your local District Council, County Council and/or Unitary Authority
- most importantly, your local community!
Your Rural Community Council contact will be able to advise you on successful formulation of a steering group and how to go about seeking funding for your parish plan. In most cases they will be the single-most important point of contact for you.
One of the most important factors in producing a successful parish plan is having all associated parties 'buy in' to it. This is true of both the service providers in the local authorities and the local community. Without the support of everyone concerned your plan will struggle to be successfully adopted upon completion.
Key points to bear in mind at the outset of your project would be :
- ensuring that your plan is not simply a summary of the state of your community. It's vital that problems and strengths of the community are highlighted, and actions to remedy or consolidate respectively are clearly laid out
- ensuring that all areas of your plan are underpinned by empirical data from the community, and not simply the views of individuals or groups. Therefore it is vital that members of the community are involved and consulted throughout the project
- avoiding NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) and wish-lists, particularly with regard to housing development.
Bridging
Potentially one of the most important factors in facilitating the successful adoption of your parish plan by service providers, bridging is the process of involving local authorities, Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), Local Development Framework (LDF) and the parish or town council in your planning process. Contact with these bodies should be made as early as possible in your preparations, and liaison maintained throughout the project.