Gloucestershire Parish & Community-Led Plan Case Study Newnham on Severn, completed 2008 Introduction What is a Parish e Newnham on Severn is a village on the e r i r and Community-Led h i west bank of the River Severn in the Royal s r e t plan? h Forest of Dean, west Gloucestershire with a s e s c u r population of a little over 1380. Because of o l e A Parish & Community- G , Newnham's location on the Severn, the t Led Plan is a document m s a Ancient Romans built three roads through h n which sets out a vision for e w e the location now the busy A48 Gloucester to c a community’s future N the Severn Bridge runs through it. u based on sound local o research, looking at Newnham was a thriving port until 1827. Originally it was one of the five l G social, environmental and ancient boroughs of Gloucestershire, visited by William 11, Henry1, Henry11 , (who launched an invasion of Ireland from Newnham) and Edward 111. economic life. n r e It celebrates positive The core of the village is a ‘Designated Conservation Area’ with many v features and activities, Georgian properties with a modern houses estate off the main road. The e S highlights community present church replaces the original which burnt down in 1881 and children needs and contains a under 11 years attend St. Peter’s Church of England Primary School and n o detailed action plan to playgroup. help the community meet m those needs. A Parish & Businesses now include a general stores, a delicatessen, Post Office/ a Community-Led Plan is newsagent, chemist, gift/craft shop, upholstery/gift shop, an antique shop, h n produced by and for the hairdressers and a café with book and toyshop, Equestrian Centre, a market w community, based on a research company many small self employed businesses and services such e detailed survey and as a library, nursery, doctor’s surgery and veterinary practices. There are N consultation process two pubs in the village and a members’ club, but the former listed Victoria – which involves the whole Hotel stands empty and boarded up. community. It prompts y d action and influences Heavy tolls on the Severn bridge crossings from England to Wales are u others. responsible for traffic using the A48. Although for the past 150 years a t S railway linking to the national system has passed through the village, now e A Parish & Community- the nearest station is 9 miles away at Lydney, with no direct bus link. s Led Plan is inclusive and a C can demonstrate a robust Newnham is a social village with many clubs and societies and a thriving process that ensures its amateur dramatic group. There are a range of buildings in the village that n a quality. It is steered by a hold public events. The principal venue is the Armoury Hall, (owned by the l P group of people from villagers) the WI Hut, the Church and Newnham Club. within the community, d including representation e The Process L from the parish or town - y council and follows good t In Feb 2008 the Parish Council discussed undertaking a Parish Plan. Two i practice and advice from Parish councilors recruited volunteers to make up a steering group n a neutral independent representative of the community. GRCC was on hand for advice and support u body. In Gloucestershire, and a grant from the Forest of Dean District Council secured. In April ‘A Route m GRCC is the lead to the Establishment of a Parish Plan’ was agreed. m provider of advice and o support for parish and C There was a range of consultations throughout the village. The Annual Street community led planning. Fair provided an opportunity for a stall to publicise the Parish Plan, give d n feedback and do further consultation, mainly targeting young people. a h By September 2008 a questionnaire was ready for distribution. They were s i delivered and collected by hand during early October. This resulted in an r 81.7% response rate. a P Communication has been ongoing through posters giving regular updates. Questionnaire analysis results were publicised at a three day exhibition. Steering group members were on hand to discuss any issues and comments A 3 day feedback event allowed were collected on post it notes. Over 300 people attended. The Parish Plan the community to comment on was adopted by Newnham Parish Council on 30th March2009. the Parish Plan consultation. Case study produced by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC) January 2010. Newnham’s achievements C ommunity benefits Communication The community are more involved with • A Parish website group was set up has fed into the Forest of Dean parish issues. to cost, create and maintain a Transport Action Plan and Parish website. The Newnham contributed to the county website went live in October 2009 Local Transport Priorities providing information for residents consultation. The working Parties and tourists and promotion for e and Task groups set Environment r businesses. The website will also i up as a result of the h publicise Parish Council activities. Parish Plan have s • A permanent Environment r increased capacity and e Village Hall Group has been established to t encouraged volunteers ensure that the appearance s to come forward to e • A Village Hall Task Group was set and environment of the village c work on them. up to carry out an options is maintained. It will also co u o appraisal for the village hall. ordinate fund raising activities l Stakeholders from the existing 3 G in the village to reduce venues have been brought duplication and Parish Council , Newnham had no n together to explore the options, liabilities. r website before the e look at sustainability and develop v Parish Plan. Volunteer them. The results will be Quick Wins e skills have been used S communicated to the community to create one. The n • Newnham Christmas lights o website is regularly Parking used by the community had been identified in the Parish Plan as a feature the m to find out what is • A working party has been set up to a going on in the village, community wanted to h survey parking facilities, usage and n rubbish days and to maintain. A working group identify possible parking sites. The w was set up to find the best advertise their events. results will be reported to the e type of lights which will be N The library provides Parish Council. cost effective and easily – free internet access maintained. y and has it on their Highways home page. A quick Wins grant from the d u • The Parish Plan identified HGV’s Forest of Dean District t S on the A48 as one of the main Council has enabled the first phase of this project and e issues. As a result the Parish s Council agreed to refresh their A48 provided a boost to further a fundraising. C representation on the A48 Group who work with Gloucestershire n a County Council Highways and Consultation l P Transport. This group report regularly on progress. • The Parish Plan survey d e achieved an 81.7% L Transport response rate. one of the - y t highest in the county. This i • A Transport Group has been set confirmed the level of n u up to look at transport services engagement and gave a Poster promoting the website serving the village. This group mandate for progressing m actions. m o C d n a h “The Parish Plan has s i r increased the capacity of the a P community to fundraise, consult and communicate” Case study produced by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC) January 2010. Working with partners Key advice for others Parish Plan representatives sit on the Neighbourhood Panel and liaise with police. There are also representatives at the Forest of Dean Parish Plan “Ensure the Forum and have contributed to the Transport Action Plan. Parish Council are Road safety issues are being discussed in partnership with the county on board highways department. A 17 year old resident’s GCSE report on traffic has been added to Parish Plan information and fully e r aware of i h progress” s r “The Parish Plan has given e t s people an opportunity to have e “Draw on c their say ..things have u any o l expertise at happened so when asked G hand.” , again they readily give their n r e views. It has helped them to v e S see they are part of a bigger n o society” m a The George Café entrance h Lessons learnt and future projects n w e N We learnt that a strong initial consultation – “We have been gave the Parish Plan a firm base and that we y able to improve had to involve the community as one not sole d u groups t communication S e and enable Securing a fit for purpose village hall for the s future is an important issue for Newnham. a community C The process of considering options has solutions” begun with the possibility of creating a n a community hub as a solution. l P d e L - y t i n GRCC is the lead provider of support for parish and u With thanks to community-led plans in Gloucestershire and can offer m Newnham on m support to communities dependent on the location of the o Severn Parish C Plan Steering parish. If you would like further information please contact d Committee GRCC n a members for h their s Community House i 15 College Green r contributions to a Gloucester P GL1 2LZ Tel: 01452 528491 Fax: 01452 528493 [email protected] Case study produced by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC) January 2010.