Consultation on the Parish Plan

The Plan has been formulated after extensive consultation within our community and with outside agencies. In Autumn 2007 three drop-in sessions were held by

YRCC to promote participation in the preparation of a Plan. Those attending these sessions provided the first thoughts on our village life and setting, and provided the volunteers to form the Steering Committee for the Plan. The Steering Committee set about seeking the views of the whole community through a questionnaire that achieved nearly 70% response. Every effort was made to ensure that all households, including outlying premises, received a questionnaire.

Questionnaire Returns

The 208 responses have been analysed by scoring all preferences (‘tick in the box’) and by grouping all your comments under common themes. Thus each preference was expressed as a percentage of returns, both by village and in total. All preferences were then ranked against each other by their percentage. Where there was consensus, your comments have been summarised and matched to the

appropriate category of preferences. To ensure that rural businesses in the community, including farming, had sufficient opportunity to input a business perspective to the Plan, a direct mailing to over fifty identifiable addresses was undertaken. Letters inviting contributions also went to:

? The North Yorkshire and York NHS Primary Care Trust

? The North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

? The North Yorkshire Police

? The Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

? The Local GP Practice

? The Methodist Church

? Headteachers of the two Primary Schools

Of the latter, responses were received from five, including the Methodist Church and Weaverthorpe Primary School, with an offer of discussion from the Police and Fire Services. Where possible, meetings were held with the Parochial Church Councils and Parish Councils of both Parishes, although both Parish Councils were represented on the Steering Committee. This consultation provided a solid evidence base for the Plan.