Community Consultation

The RCC believes in helping rural communities to develop themselves to the preference of each village. Community Consultation plays an important part in ensuring that people are involved in discussion on matters that could ultimately affect their quality of life.

There are few communities in which an action planning process can be carried out without some degree of support or guidance from an outside organisation, even if just to outline the process and help to make the best use of available resources.

Local authorities and other agencies recognise that the local community must be involved in, and engaged by, the process of developing services in rural areas if they are to be effective. There are numerous levels of consultation, ranging from providing information i.e. informing others about what they are going to do, to deciding and, ultimately, acting in partnership to achieve results.

The Building Community Capacity Project, funded by the Leicestershire Rural Partnership and the LeicesterShire Economic Partnership focuses on Community Development Officers assisting communities to carry out Parish Plans that give them the tools and training to consult their community and produce a report and action plan that is unique to their community.

Parish and Community Plans

A Parish Plan is a holistic comprehensive plan, which addresses all issues of concern to the community, together in one document. It must be prepared by the community working together (a bottom up approach) and based on information provided through research, survey and consultation. It must be focused on action, and contain a clear statement for the future including - What? Where? Who? and When?

The end result must contain an action plan for the future which includes ways of addressing the identified needs. The plan will address housing needs, services, transport, local greenspace and countryside access, design and land use, amenities e.g. Village Hall, playing fields, health and community care, business and employment. The Parish Plan will form a blueprint for use by the Parish Council and evidence for bidding for funds in the future.

Parish Plan funding.

There is currently no funding available to help Parishes to carry out a plan. However costs can be kept low by making use of 'inkind gifts' and volunteer effort. There are some funds that may provide for the process.
Please contact the RCC for details of current funding opportunities. email: dcook@ruralcc.org.uk

How the RCC can help

• Talk to the Parish Council and advise on how to apply for funds and undertake such a project.
• Give advice on advertising a Public Meeting to promote the project.
• Present the Parish Plan process to the meeting.
• Assist with the setting up of a Steering Group within your Parish.
• Assist with preparation of a constitution and give ideas and advice on how to carry out and help you to plan the project.
• Give funding advice (A small amount of funding may also be available from the RCC to help the Parish with the initial costs of starting up).
• Introduce you to the Leicestershire Rural Partnership Consultation Protocol which will be used in the production of the appraisal and implementation of results at all levels.
• Guide the group through the process of preparing a Parish Plan.
• Assist you with computer software which can be used in preparing and analysing a questionnaire.
• Give advice on analysis and report writing and preparation of the action plan.
• Give advice on the printing and circulation of the final document.
• Liase with service providers at all stages of the appraisal.
• Assist with implementation and possible funding sources for projects identified in the appraisal

In all types of consultation the RCC Community Development Officers are keen to involve the Parish Council and will keep Service Providers informed of progress.