Parish Action Plans
Planning for Real consultation day for
Billington Parish Plan
BRAF delivered funding under Defra's Rural Social and
Communities Programme to support the development of Parish
Action Plans in the county between 2006 and 2008. This
builds on BRAF's delivery of Interim Parish Plan funding in
Bedfordshire for Defra in 2005/6, in which a total of £15,271of
Defra funding was granted to 10 parishes. Since closure of
the Rural Social and Communities Programme, there is currently
no specific funding in Bedfordshire for groups undertaking the
parish action plan process. However, BRCC can offer advice
on alternative sources of funding.
What are Parish Action Plans?
A Parish Action Plan is an opportunity for the whole
community to voice their opinion on what action they wish to see
taken in their local area in the future, and covers the social,
economic and environmental issues of relevance to local people.
The completed plan includes a concise action plan which prioritises the issues raised, and sets out how they might be tackled.
Parish planning has proved itself as a successful way for rural communities to make their voices heard and get things done locally. Often this means working with principal authorities and service providers. BRAF believes Parish
Action Plans have the potential to be a key resource for decision-makers as a tangible expression of local views, for example in the context of developing Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks.
It can also provide evidence of need in support of applications
for other external funding.
More information
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity can offer advice and support to groups developing Parish Plans. More information on Parish Plans is available on their website. http://www.bedsrcc.org.uk/Parish_Plan/Parishplanindex.htm
There is also information on Parish Plans on the Defra website.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/communities/parish-planning.htm
Countryside Agency publication
"Parish Plans - Guidance for
parish and town councils".
New
Parish and Community Planning Toolkit.
This Toolkit has been developed by ACRE to help you undertake
your Community or Parish Plan and to ensure that it is robust
and inclusive, so that it is effective in achieving your needs
and acts as an influence on the strategic policies within your
Local Authority and partner organisations.
Go to toolkit
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