LOWER ALLITHWAITE PARISH COUNCIL

Statement 2008

Action Plan

There has been insufficient time this year to prepare a proper Action Plan.  It is intended that work should proceed, using direction from the points identified in the Issues List, to develop a Plan by March 2009.  The Plan will be split into two sections which will include those (Local Action) issues that the PC can address itself, and the more difficult (Strategic) issues which will require assistance from SLDC or CCC.  It is likely (particularly due to the disappointing response from the under-50 members of the Parish) that another more extensive survey of opinion, and consultations, will have to be carried out before a full plan can be developed.

Management and Implementation of the Plan

Routine Management  It is important that the Plan is established as a central means for the Parish Council to meet the requirements of Lower Allithwaite, and that it does not lie ignored.  They should try to implement the Quick Fix items on an ongoing basis as resources allow, and must actively engage and encourage SLDC and CCC to assist with the Strategic ones.  It is recommended that an Action Plan Working Group be established (probably of 3 to 5 councillors) to maintain and implement the Plan, and that they should report progress as a routine item at each monthly PC meeting.

Annual Review  The Action Plan will need to be reviewed, and revised as necessary, each year by 31st March.  Unless there is a significant change of local circumstances, it should be unlikely that any major changes will have to be made.  It will probably be appropriate to carry out major reviews of public opinion every 5 or so years to ensure that the Plan remains valid.

Alignment with Higher Level Plans  Many of the facilities and services in the Parish rely heavily on direct resourcing by SLDC and CCC, as will the implementation of the Strategic Items in the Action Plan.  It will be useful, therefore, if as many Actions as possible are aligned or linked with higher level objectives and initiatives to demonstrate to SLDC/CCC that these legitimate requirements exist, and to suggest how they might help to fulfil them.

Communication  The responses to the questionnaire indicated that 32% of respondents regarded the PC’s communications as poor or bad.  The Council must demonstrate that it is listening to Parishioners’ concerns and that reasonable action is being taken to try to address them.  Whist it probably is not feasible to distribute full copies of the Statement/Plan to households, there need to be regular updates to keep residents aware of the action that the Council is taking on their behalf, and what progress is being made.  Full copies of the Statement/Plan could also be made available (perhaps at the Post Offices) for those who might wish to study them in detail.  The Statement/Plan is now available on this website, as will be future news and updates.