Parish Activity
What is a Parish Plan?
A Parish Plan is a critical and in depth survey of a community carried out by the community itself. The aim of the survey is to collect the views and opinions of the people who live and work in that community and from this information find out how the community sees itself developing over the next 5 to 10 years. An action plan is then devised based on the community's views, which identifies what steps the community needs to take to move itself forward from its present position to achieve its vision for the future of the community.
Who produces it?
The community itself, working through volunteers, carries out the survey, creates the action plan and implements the actions. It is a Parish Plan Group that steers and drives the project, usually in collaboration and co-operation with the Parish Council, the Local Authority and a wide range of other agencies and partners.
How is it produced?
- Initial community consultation.
- Information and data gathering.
- Data analysis.
- Formulation of action plan.
- Implementation of actions.
- Ongoing monitoring and review.
Who can help you?
Cheshire Community Action can provide constructive and practical guidance, advice and support throughout the process. We will support you at meetings through informative presentations and facilitating events. We provide a range of useful and readable literature to guide you through each stage of the process. We are involved in training in community engagement methods and offer ongoing support by telephone and email. We will help you to apply for funding and will monitor the progress of your plan. We will help you to launch your Parish Plan and then work with you to implement the actions you have identified, including finding funding.
Your Local Authority will also be able to offer information and support and in some cases funding.
For further information, help or advice please contact Bron Kerrigan on 01606 881760 or email her via our contact page.
Why produce one?
Producing a Parish Plan will bring about a wide range of benefits for your community, including:
- Engendering community spirit;
- Unleashing hidden talents;
- Re-energising Parish Councils;
- Providing valuable information;
- Identifying sources of funding;
- Forming new partnerships;
- Achieving tangible outcomes such as:
opening community shops;
creating play areas;
setting up parish websites;
production of newsletters;
creating wildlife reserves;
setting up recycling centres;
receiving grant funding;
setting up youth facilities.
Over fifty Parish Plans have now been completed in the sub region of Cheshire, Warrington and Halton. Around another thirty are in the process of being produced. Parishes that have undertaken a Parish Plan have derived great benefit from the exercise and we believe that the Parish Plan is the way forward in community planning.
