LITTLE MILTON PARISH COUNCIL

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: STATEMENT OF INTENT

Aims and Objectives

Little Milton Parish Council aims to represent the interests, and listen to the views, of the whole community of Little Milton. The Council will actively provide all the community with information about the actions that the Council has taken. Where appropriate it will seek the views of the community before it makes any decisions. This approach will ensure that the Parish Council provides the best service to its community. It will also help the community, and individual residents and groups within it, to be involved with both their fellow residents and the Council.

Defining the Community

Little Milton   is a small community of around 500 residents. The village has local businesses, the Church, the School, the Village Hall and a number of other organisations  such as the Orchard which the Council already works with or supports.

Provision of Information to the Community

The Council will publish the minutes of its Council meetings on its website, through the village newsletter as well as on the Council notice board. The Council publishes and distributes an annual report that includes a detailed statement of the Council’s income and expenditure within three months of the end of the Council year. The Council also provides a guide to what information is available to residents and how it can be accessed, in accordance with the Model Publication Scheme issued by the Information Commissioners Office adopted with effect from 1st January 2009.     

Opportunities for Community Involvement

The Council members are detailed in the village newsletter and website and can be approached directly as can the Parish Clerk. The Council enables members of the public to raise any matters at the monthly Council meeting under the Parish Forum.  It also enables interested parties to make representations on particular agenda items e.g. planning applications.

Opportunities for Formal Representations to the Council

Where there are issues of local concern in the community, the Council will enable residents and groups to formally present these concerns and views to the Council.  It will establish and publicise procedures and timescales to help them do this in an effective manner. The Council has also adopted a procedure for dealing with any complaints from the public that relate to the Council’s administration or procedures.

Involvement in Partnerships

The Council has worked closely with the Community Shop as well as the District and County Council on issues that have an impact of the community.

Role of Council Members and Officers

Individual Council members and the Clerk participate in and promote many of the Council activities and processes described in this document, as well as being involved in various other community activities. They are known to the community and are readily available for residents to talk to.

Specific Area for Community Involvement

The Council will seek community involvement on the development of community assets and the development of community –led plans such as the Community Shop,