PARISH PLAN OPEN FORUM MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 25 2003. IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Notes of the Open Forum meeting
Present, Cllr Liz Scott, Cllr Roger Cheshire, Cllr Derek Marshall, and 13 members of the public.
Liz Scott opened the meeting by stating that the Parish Council has been awarded a grant by the Countryside Agency, through the Cheshire Community Council, towards the production of a Parish Plan.
Cllr Scott explained what a Parish Plan is: a statement of how the community sees itself developing over the next few years, and how an Action Plan will show how it intends to achieve that aim. The plan can involve anything that the residents consider relevant; subjects could include planning issues, concerns about roads, transport,
employment opportunities or environmental issues.
Cllr Scott explained the process of how the Grant was obtained, from the submission in January this year to the application in April. This involved liaison with the Cheshire Community Council, in partnership with the Countryside Agency and with also advice from the County Council. The application had to include details of the Millenium and Transport Needs Assessment surveys, previously conducted.
The Grant is as follows: Overall total £6369.50.
Less Parish Council £ 333.60.
Less in kind £1330.40
Total £4705.50
Cllr Scott then reviewed the circulated document entitled ‘Tiverton and Tilstone Fearnall Parish Plan (attached) and emphasised the challenges of today, the village is a very different place to what it was 40+ years ago, today most employment is outside the village, transport is a vital element, especially for the younger and elderly people of the village. We have no affordable housing for the young. Recreation facilities are very limited. The Parish Plan is a great opportunity for everybody to get together and to invoke a community spirit.
Cllr Scott stressed the need for the Steering Committee to be representative of the village, not just the Parish Council, and that only 3 Parish Councillors will serve on that body, and that the focus groups will give everyone an opportunity if they wish to become involved without being a steering committee member.
Cllr Scott outlined the History Day project, and for it to be a social event, one of the requirements of the Grant is that a social event is held whereby most of the community is involved. It is hoped that this event will take place in April 2004.
Cllr Scott suggested a timetable for the Plan as follows:
First 4 months planning and producing a residents’ questionnaire
3 months issuing to residents, completion by residents, collection and
analysing.
Last 3 months discussions with local authorities and then finish.
Cllr Scott stated that a computer has been received and will be installed in the Village Hall, and will remain in place for 2 years after the completion of the Project. This will enable the project to have its own Web-site whereby residents will be able to follow progress on the Project.
A short period of questions from the floor followed.
Q. What other villages are doing or have done a Plan?
A. Cranage have just completed theirs.
Q. Are any young people going to be involved on the Steering Committee?
A. Yes and Tammy King is present in the Hall and is willing to be a member.
Q. We need to consider low cost housing and the need for sustainable jobs.
A. That will be one of the Focus Groups tasks.
Q. Is there a plan of the village, and should it not be on display in the Hall?
A. There is a plan, a 6” map is available and the displaying will be considered.
Cllr. Scott then called for volunteers for the Steering Committee, Ian Lambert, Tammy King and Steve Armitage volunteered, and the Steering committee will initially comprise. Cllrs Scott, Cheshire and Marshall, Ian Lambert, Tammy King and Steve Armitage. David Linton of the Hockey Club, Peter Swain and Bob Gardiner offered to be in Focus Groups, (Bob Gordiner in particular on the History Group)
The Open Forum closed at 8pm.