Update - January 2009
An informal Public Meeting is to be held on Saturday 17 January 2009 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm at the Tom O' The Wood, Finwood Road, Rowington.
The purpose of the meeting is to give residents the opportunity to air any thoughts or simply discuss with the Parish Plan Steering Group the issues that have arisen to date in a relaxed environment. Children are welcome and refreshments (bacon sandwiches and Danish Pastries) will be provided courtesy of the Tom O' The Wood.
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Update - December 2008
A Parish Plan For Rowington – Thanks for your contribution
A very big ‘thank you’ to all Rowington parishioners who took the time to complete our recent Parish Plan survey.
Almost 20% of the surveys distributed to households across the parish were returned, with respondents offering their thoughts on a wide range of issues.
We’ll be sharing the initial findings in a public meeting in January, details of which will be publicised once dates are finalised.
The Rowington Parish Plan Steering Group
John Barnes, Pam Barnes, Robert Browett, George Cooper, Cath Deaner, Nick Holmes, Jan Oldfield, Jude Palmer, Mike Palmer, Peter Thompson
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Update - September 2008
A Parish Plan For Rowington – Your Views Matter
We are pleased to report that following a successful submission for funding from ‘Awards for All’, we are now able to proceed with the first phase of the Parish Plan in the form of a parish-wide survey.
Just to recap, a Parish Plan is a document, created by a community, to establish a shared vision for the future of a parish. The Government’s November 2000 Rural White Paper stated that Parish Plans should “identify key facilities and services, set out the problems that need to be tackled and demonstrate how distinctive character and features can be preserved.”
Each household in the Parish of Rowington will soon receive a copy of our survey inviting opinions on housing, environment, education, community facilities and services, law and order and views on just what it is that makes Rowington parish tick.
This is your opportunity to play an active part in deciding the future of the parish and we really want to hear from you, whatever your viewpoint. Surveys should be returned in the pre-paid envelope that will be provided.
In addition to the postal surveys, we will also be conducting a number of face-to-face interviews. If you would prefer to register you views in this way, please complete the relevant section at the end of the survey.
Following analysis of the initial surveys, we will be holding an open Parish meeting to share their findings and discuss the next stage of progress towards the Rowington Parish Plan.
Thanking you in advance for your contribution.
The Rowington Parish Plan Steering Group
John Barnes, Pam Barnes, Robert Browett, George Cooper, Cath Deaner, Nick Holmes, Jan Oldfield, Jude Palmer, Mike Palmer, Peter Thompson
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Update - February 2008
What is a Parish Plan?
Back in November 2007 a public meeting was held in Rowington Village Hall to gauge local interest in putting together a Parish Plan for Rowington.
To date around 1,300 communities across the UK have produced Parish Plans and many more are currently underway. In its simplest form a Parish Plan is a document, created by the community, to establish a shared vision for the future of the parish.
In November 2000 the Government’s Rural White Paper stated that Parish Plans should “identify key facilities and services, set out the problems that need to be tackled and demonstrate how distinctive character and features can be preserved.”
Every parish is unique, and therefore no two parish plans will be the same. However, most of the documents produced to date have adopted a broadly similar framework, setting out the social, economic and environmental issues and concerns of the community and their proposed remedies in the form of an Action Plan. Constantly evolving documents, Parish Plans should be reviewed on a regular basis and updated as necessary.
Why Should I Get Involved?
Though the pace of life in rural communities like Rowington may seem relatively sedate, things are still changing constantly. Most people in the parish will have a view on these developments and the social, economic and environmental issues affecting them, but very few will have the chance to air their view.
Parish Plans give everyone in the community the opportunity to help shape the future of their area to reflect their needs, views and aspirations. It is important that the Rowington plan represents the views of a complete cross section of the community and it is therefore vital that as many residents as possible are consulted during the plan’s formation to get a true picture of local opinion.
What Happens Next?
Following on from the initial public meeting, a Steering Group has been established to set the Rowington Parish Plan ball rolling. The group will be polling local opinion over the next few months via questionnaires and face-to-face interviews in order to establish the issues that will form the framework of the Rowington plan. The group will be using the Ferncumbe News and this website to update residents on progress.
If you are interested in contributing to the formation of the Rowington Parish Plan or finding out more, please contact the Steering Group chairman, Nick Holmes, by telephone on 01564 783784 or click to contact him by e-mail.
