This is the article as it appeared in Granby-cum-Sutton Parish News:
Village Plan given green light at Public Meeting
Almost 50 villagers attended a public meeting in Granby village hall on the 5th of December 2007 and gave their overwhelming support for the development of a village plan for Granby and Sutton.
A village (or parish) plan is a document which brings together the views, needs and opinions of the whole community. covering the social, economic and environmental issues of relevance to you and your local community. The process involves consultation with all residents, giving them the chance to have a say in the future of their village. The completed plan gives substantial weight to any future applications for funding to improve village life.
Andy Betts, Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, chaired the meeting. Philip Straw (parish councillor) outlined the background to the initiative and explained why the parish council is in favour of the idea.
Carola Jones, Senior Rural Offices of Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire, described a village plan and identified the possible benefits for our villages. She gave some working examples of the kinds of initiatives undertaken by other Nottinghamshire villages and ezplained what type of support is available.
After refreshments, residensts were asked whether we should go ahead ans prepare a plan and tey votes unanimously in favour. To get the ball rolling, people were divided into small groups to discuss “What they liked about Granby cum Sutton” and “What would make Granby cum Sutton a better place”. The enthusiastic debate had to be broken up or it would have gone on all night!
The long list of diverse suggestions will be fed into the planning process. Martin Suthers, Nottinghamshire County Councillor for hte ward, was present and spoke briefly at hte end of hte meeting. He was clearly impressed with the enthusiasm and interest shown by everyone and has kindly agreed to help with funding hte planning process.
Seventeen people volunteered to form a Steering Group that will be responsible for co-ordinating the development of the plan. All of these volunteers are Granby residents and it is essential that we have representation from Sutton on this group. So come on you Suttonites: please contact Philip Straw if you live in Sutton and are willing to join the steering group. Several others volunteered for general help such as leaflet distribution.
The first meeting took place in 10th January and was used to clarify the process and decide how the group will function. For more detailed information about village / parish plans generall, visit the website: http://www.parishplanning.co.uk.
