Village Sign

Lets make a plan...

Martham Parish Council and Community Connections organised a public meeting in June 2002 to discuss the possibilities of producing a Parish Plan. Following on from this well attended meeting a steering group was formed to devise the survey. They met regularly and they also organised the Community Open Day held to publicise the plan at the CLIP in September 2002. The group was made up of interested local people, parish councillors, representatives of local groups and community workers.

The 'Martham Parish Plan - A Vision for the Future 2004'
Was delivered to every household and business in Martham.
The results of this survey will be used to formulate an ‘Action Plan ’ for the future of the village. It will be used by local authorities, planners, voluntary groups and most importantly…

- YOU -

If you would like a copy please contact the following:

The Parish Council, 01493 749938
or by email to the Clerk

More information on The Countryside Agency can be found here.

Download the original questionnaire for viewing here.

We have put together some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to help explain what the Plan is all about, click on the links below:

	What is a Parish Plan?
	What use is it?
	What happens next?
	Yes but who will listen?

What is a Parish Plan?

Over the last few years, more and more communities have been involved in work to improve the quality of life in their area. Using local people and local initiative, they have discovered that it is those decisions taken in their village or parish, which can be most responsive to local need. However, in order to make those decisions they require up to date and accurate information on conditions, views and lifestyles in their area.
A Parish Plan is a useful tool with which to obtain such information and it has been tried and tested over the last 20 years. Well over 1500 communities in England and Wales have completed surveys (or ‘Village Appraisals’ to give it its official name) to take stock of the facts and opinions about their village, parish or small town.

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What use is it?

Essentially, a ‘village appraisal’ is a comprehensive survey carried out by the community for the community. Through a locally compiled questionnaire distributed to each household, it offers local people the opportunity to comment on issues that affect their daily life. The information gathered from the survey can be used both to celebrate local distinctiveness and put together community action plans which can influence the way in which a village moves forward. It assists with setting priorities and helps to target limited resources. It has been used by villages with around 150 residents and more recently by towns of 3000 or more.
Low cost housing schemes, good neighbour groups, transport schemes, newsletters, resource centres and work with low income families are just some of the local benefits which have come about as the result of carrying out a ‘village appraisal’.

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What happens next?

After the questionnaires have been collected the arduous task of entering the answers into a data processing program begins, this program processes all the questionnaires and can present the data in a meaningful way such as graphs, pie charts and other statistics. The steering group will then be holding a public meeting and exhibition to present the results.

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Yes but who will listen?

In essence this is when ‘the real work’ begins. It is important to make the maximum use of the information in the form of an action plan, and to ask the parish council to form a ‘Parish Blueprint’ from the findings – it has been known for an inspector at a planning inquiry to ask whether a ‘village appraisal’ has been carried out and if so what were the results? - Early approaches with copies of the appraisal report to relevant bodies such as local authorities can often open dialogues on local plans and policies and produce funding for local projects. The results of a parish plan can be a powerful lobbying tool – and it has resulted in bringing communities back together.

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