A CONSULTATION has been launched to ask residents in Chard what is important to them and how they want to shape their town.

The purpose of the Community Plan survey is to identify the issue of importance to Chard residents.

The Community Plan group is made up of community members and four town councillors.

The survey went live on February 20 and will be available until March 24, but on Saturday, March 4 from 10am to 1pm, people will also be able to complete the survey at the Guildhall and speak to the steering group.

The online survey can be accessed here
 

Aims of the plan


To help identify the issues of importance to the community, including social, economic, and environmental concerns.

 

The plan will aim to:

• Gather information from effective consultation and community involvement.
• Identify local characteristics people value
• Identify any issues that affect the Town as well as opportunities and ways to address them
• Through consultation find out how residents want their community and town to develop in the future
• Include a plan of action and identify those who need to be involved to achieve the vision with a realistic programme for funding and delivery

 

The plan should aim to provide a comprehensive and holistic vision for the community, having identified what is important to it. It should also seek to identify actions and projects to help address concerns raised and to achieve the end vision.

It should be based on views drawn from the entire community, and it is important that everyone should have an opportunity to participate in the preparation of the Community Plan.

The following areas might be considered as a focus for the Community Plan:

• Responding to Climate Change
• Conserving and enhancing the environment. This will include both the natural and built heritage
• Seek improvements in highway improvements, road safety, and traffic management and movement
• Improve accessibility throughout the town including walking, cycling and improvements to public transport
• Focusing on the continued provision of affordable homes in the town for local people and families
• Supporting and enhancing community facilities and building on the recent investments
• Supporting the local economy, while seeking to build sustainable prosperity for all


The following Topic Area could be considered especially when carrying out public consultations:

• The Environment
• Housing
• Leisure and Recreation
• Accessibility
• Community Safety