enhancing our community

Project Bawdeswell is about YOUR Village which means it’s about YOU and what YOU need and want! It was set up to respond to issues about poor community facilities raised in the village appraisal.

· The Village Hall is far too small and the drive-way is in a poor state!

· The playground needs more equipment!

· There aren’t enough organized activities or facilities in the village for children and teenagers!

· Funding Rules have now changed. We can’t just ask for money to extend the hall and surface the road etc!

· We have to have a ‘Business Plan’ showing the return on any funding in terms of benefit to the whole community!

· Beyond reviewing facilities provided in the village we are looking at what the School needs and issues such as access to Bawdeswell Heath!

· We need to know what else matters to you!

· The Project now includes the WHOLE of the village and we need to know exactly what YOU need and want for it!

· We hope that you will tell us!

NEXT STEPS

· COmmunity Survey

The survey will take place in April. A member of our team will call and give you a form for each member of your household. They can answer questions and assist with the form if required. Children at Bawdeswell School will complete a form there.

The forms will be collected when convenient to you.

The survey will not identify you. If you offer assistance and give your name it will be kept confidential. You don’t have to take part but PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU BY TAKING PART.

· FEASABILITY STUDY/proposals

When the survey has been collated we will look at ALL the information that has been gathered, decide on the priorities for action and what is needed. We will then get designs and costs to present to you.

· PROJECT EXHIBITION

An exhibition of the proposals will be held in late 2006 or early 2007. There may be some choices to make at this time and we will be asking for your comments, ideas and support on the priorities and proposals at this event before a final decision is made.

· INFORMATION AND MEETINGS

A stand at the Village Fete on Sunday 25^th June will have the results of the survey and other Project information. Members of the Project group will be there to answer any questions.

Our web site also carries details of our progress, meetings etc.

If you have any queries or wish to offer help, advice or donate professional services to the project please contact us: -

Tel: (01362) 688 749 or Email: info@ProjectBawdeswell.org.uk `

NEXT MEETING of the Steering Group - Saturday 22^nd April 2006 at 10am at the Village Hall. ALL ARE WELCOME!

SEE BELOW FOR Q&A ABOUT THE PROJECT

enhancing our community

Q&A ON THE PROJECT

Q - Why another survey? We’ve already had an appraisal.

A - The appraisal was 3 years ago and most of the items from the action plan have been successfully achieved. Four significant issues about the inadequacy of community facilities are outstanding. We need to clarify some issues and get other information!

Q – What will the Project cost?

A - To deal with just the items from the appraisal will be expensive – hundreds of thousands of pounds. The road to the village hall alone will cost up to £50,000 or more to upgrade with a proper footpath and drainage.

We need external funding – the village couldn’t afford this on its own without a very large increase in Council Tax. (An average of £150 per household just for the drive to the village hall).

Q – What is the Business Plan?

A - Organizations that we will approach for funding insist on a lot of information. ?Is the plan fully supported by the community, ?How will the facilities be managed and a host of other questions need to be answered. The Business Plan will contain all this and more. It is vital to the Project!

Q – How soon will we see anything done?

A - It’s not a short term Project. We will have to decide priorities as we are unlikely to get funding for everything at once. If our first applications for funding are successful some work might start in 2007 or 2008 but we have to get the money first! It will take some years to achieve everything!