Parish Plan Update – January 2009

The major task which has been undertaken by the Parish Plan Steering Group since its formation in March 2008 has been to:

(a)        Provide information and to raise the awareness of parishioners about the background, concept and construction of a Parish Plan.

(b)        Communicate the process and timescale in working towards the publication of the Parish Plan and,

(c)        Collect initial data from as many individuals and groups as possible.

In order to streamline the task, and also being cognisant of time and funding issues, the Steering Group integrated the information, communication and initial data collection as elements in all of the events and publicity which were organised.

Throughout the processes detailed below, the Steering Group has assiduously ensured that probity has not been compromised in the performance of Steering Group duties by rigorously focussing on the views/comments of parishioners and not those of Group Members.

Events/publicity organised in 2008

March – November  - arranged for regular entries to be inserted in local journals

May – May Fair on the Green)            provided a stand, information leaflets, examples

June – Sandford School Fete   )           of other Parish Plans, Steering Group Members

Sept. – Michaelmas Fair           )           engaging with the public, suggestion boxes.

Sept. – Chairman reported progress and issues to the monthly meeting of the Parish Council.

Sept. – Formed 5 focus groups with a remit to engage with specific groups and to take note of their views/concerns about life in the Parish (elderly, younger generation, businesses, groups (societies/clubs), faith groups and individuals).

October – A leaflet was delivered to every householder in the Parish which provided up to date information about the work of the Steering Group and advertising 3 public meetings.

October – arranged 3 public meetings with external speakers and displays of information (2 in Winscombe and 1 in Sandford).

October – Parish Council agreed to a Steering Group request to have a Parish Plan link on their web site.

November – leaflets and suggestion boxes provided in 10 Parish locations inviting responses from parishioners.

Future Work/Plans

The proposed timescale for 2009 is as follows:

January – Mid February – Analysis of information and data collected in 2008.

Mid February – 22 March – Design questionnaire and construct multi-answer questions for up to 4 people per household (households with more than 4 persons wishing to respond will be offered additional questionnaires).

Mid February – Mid April – Recruit distributors/collectors of questionnaires

23 March – 30 March – Pilot 50 questionnaires among a wide range of parishioners to proof read and comment on ease of completion.

30 March – 05 April – Revise the questionnaire (if appropriate) and prepare for printing.  

06 April – 18 April -   Print 2000 copies of questionnaire.

20 April – 27 April – Brief volunteers who will distribute/collect questionnaires.

27 April – 01 May – Distribute questionnaire to each address in the Parish.09

09 May – 16 May – Collect questionnaires.

18 May – 26 June - Analysis of questionnaires.

29 June – 24 July – Write Parish Plan

13 July – 14 August – Design Parish Plan

17 August – 25 September – Print Parish Plan