Each Village Plan comes around in its own unique way, but there are certain stages that are typically gone through, as set out below.

We envisage following these steps here in Melbourn, but inevitably we will have our own unique obstacles to get around and hence may need to tweak the process along the way!

The first stage normally involves consultation with a large cross-section of the community to identify the issues that exist for residents. What do you as a Melbourn resident like and dislike about your village?

During this first stage, the Steering Committee is also established from as diverse a group of people within the community as possible.

The second stage normally involves putting together a questionnaire, probing further into people’s attitudes towards the existing issues and gathering their suggestions for how things can be improved. The questionnaire will also gather statistical information about the village to help further understanding of what Melbourn is really about.

The third stage will normally involve analysis of the returned questionnaires and other feedback received during the consultation process, resulting in a list of issues and the agreed upon action to address each one. The action plan will not be finalised before the public has had an opportunity to comment on it.

The fourth stage usually sees the comprehensive plan being drafted, including the action plan above, with ongoing liaison with those people and groups in the community that may help implement the projects identified. There will be another opportunity for the public to comment on the draft plan, and the Parish Council will also be consulted. This is an important step as it is inevitably the Parish Council who will be charged with enforcing the final Plan on behalf of the community.

Finally, the accepted Plan will be printed and distributed to all residents and well as key bodies e.g. Health Service, Councils and Agencies.