Suffolk ACRE

With the government impetus to promote active citizenship now is an opportune time for parishes to consult their community in order to identify their needs for the future. Service Providers (Highways, Police, Primary Care Trusts etc) are being encouraged to seek ‘grassroots’ views so that they can deliver a better service to meet those needs. The Planning System is also in the midst of great change and could have a profound effect on the development of parishes.

By carrying out an all inclusive consultation the ideas, needs and concerns of the community can be identified and an action plan produced to address them. Some action points can be dealt with by the community such as setting up new community groups or seeking funding to improve facilities but other action may require partnership working with other Service Providers to tackle these issues.

Over the past few years Parish/Town Consultations have come in many guises; Village Appraisals, Community Action Plans, Parish Plans or Market Town Health Checks but basically they all consult the community and have an action plan drawn up to address the issues identified. Suffolk has 131 parishes that have completed a community consultation and another 17 parishes who are in the midst, with another 11 who are about to start. This represents a third of Suffolk’s parishes. These communities are beginning to reap their rewards and enhance their quality of life.

Suffolk ACRE is currently managing DEFRA's Rural Social Communities Programme funding providing Parish Plan grants to community led Steering Groups, along with advice, support and workshops.

 To see examples of completed parish plans, click on the following link http://vitalvillages.rocktimeweb.net/ - search on location

If your parish is thinking of embarking upon a parish/town consultation contact our parish plans team, for further information on 01473 242500 or e-mail: parish.plans@suffolkacre.org.uk