Mike Fairchild, Little Hadham Parish Plan Group

Little Hadham recently published the second edition of its parish plan. The first, published in 2006, took three years; the second about six months. The latest edition delivers the promise in the first that its publication would be the beginning of an ongoing process – not a one-off. The overall aim continues to be to make Little Hadham a better place in which to live by building community spirit. To find out about preparing and funding a parish plan, contact the Community Development Agency for Hertfordshire at www.cdaforherts.org.uk  (01707 695517).  Here are our original Parish Plan Top Tips plus Three More added since publication of our second edition:

1. Take advice

2. Make it relevant

Tailor the plan to your community’s particular needs. Ahead of a formal questionnaire, make informal soundings (local groups, parish council, the pub) to identify likely issues. In our case, we identified that the scattered nature of the village militated against community spirit. We skipped a parish design statement and village appraisal in favour of a parish plan.

3. Keep it manageable

Don’t be over-ambitious. Your plan must be ‘do-able’ in terms of scale, timeframe and resources (people and money).

4. Build on what you have

Your survey will probably reveal an amazing range of skills, talents and interests. Use them! It is easier and cheaper to build on what you have: we are creating a stronger ‘village centre’ by linking more closely the existing village hall and adjoining playing field (revamped under the Plan) and promoting more shared activities.

5. Tap into new ‘talent’

It’s easy to over-rely on the usual suspects – those stalwarts who always volunteer. A parish plan is an opportunity to get fresh blood and involve youngsters and newcomers. Don’t ask for help by email: talk to people.

6. Engage with the community

We worked hard and publicised well to attract over 200 people to our meeting to launch the concept and over 120 when we published. A summary version was delivered to every home. Over the three years we kept people involved and informed via the parish news, parish council, local press, posters, update meetings and (key to engagement) focus groups.

7. Keep it friendly

This is a parish plan not the Magna Carta. Make it fun, involve the kids (you’ll be surprised what they come up with!), and don’t be stingy: serve some wine BEFORE the meetings.

8. Achieve early ‘wins’

Best tip from the CDA: demonstrate some early success to show that things really are happening. Cheat a little and get some projects going BEFORE you publish the plan and maybe hijack something that would have happened anyway (we invited the village to our little-known local polo club’s regular fixture).

9. Get a driver (or two!)

You will need someone to drive the process and a committed (smallish) steering group to share the load. Don’t let this become a one man/woman show.  ‘Process’ and minutes of meetings are no substitute for persuasion and graft.

10. Stay optimistic

Three More Tips:

11.  Use as a cash generator

The research, projects accomplished and credibility of the Parish Plan will stand you (or maybe your parish council) in good stead for fund-raising. Ours helped the parish council raised £50,000 from Biffaward.

12.  Get a ‘constitution’

Most funding providers will require you to show you are established. We developed a simple constitution with advice from Community Matters www.communitymatters.org.uk – much less hassle that Charity Commission – and keep accounts, which anyone can inspect on request.

13.  Keep the pot boiling

Don’t under-estimate how difficult it will be to maintain momentum after the glow of the launch and the first big event. Keep feeding back; promote next event off the back of the last one; keep a look-out for new volunteers.