Code of Practice for Marham's Parish Plan.

1). Initial Meeting.

In November 2006, leaflets were circulated throughout Marham advertising a meeting in the Village Hall. The leaflets seemed to indicate that there was a possibility of Wind Turbines and a major by-pass encroaching the Parish Boundaries. At the meeting the threats were explained as being a ploy to encourage a large turnout. In this they were very successful.
A representative from the Norfolk Rural Community Council explained the need for and purpose of a Parish Plan (see 'Purpose Page') and asked for those interested in being on a Steering Group to produce a plan for Marham to leave their names and a contact number. In January those persons were contacted and an inaugural meeting arranged.

2). The Steering Group.

The attendees at the first meeting of the steering group introduced themselves to each other and then elected a chairperson. Janice Howell, representative of the Norfolk Rural Community Council (NRCC) explained what processes are needed in the production of a plan and outlined some of the steps we needed to take. Most urgent was to acquire funding 75% of which could be applied for from the NRCC, but the remainder of which would have to be found elsewhere. The costs of producing the final, printed, Plan, cost of producing a questionnaire to determine the contents of the plan, publicity, map purchase and many other items would have to be included in the budget. A further meeting was arranged after setting various members tasks to obtain quotes for the various expenditures

3). Funding.

A meeting was held to quantify the costs in preparing and producing a Parish Plan for Marham, using examples from other villages as a basis and a final total of just over £2000.00 was reached. An application for a grant of £1500.00 was made to the NRCC, and an application for the remainder made to the Parish Council. Both applications were successful and so the Green Light to proceed with the production of the Marham Parish Plan was obtained.

4). Council Involvement.

The Steering Group for the Parish Plan is completely independant of outside influence. Neither the Borough nor County Council have jurisdiction or involvement. A member of the Parish Council is also in the group, and the PC acts as stakeholder of the funds, but has no control over the decisions of the group, nor of the expenditures made. There are also in the group a representative of the NRCC to advise, and due to the special circumstances of Marham, a representative from the RAF Base.

5). Timescale.

Many parishes creating Plans work to a preconceived 'timeline' with approximate dates for particular events, such as production of the Questionnaire or Plan, to happen. Marham took a different approach with target dates for events. The distribution of the Questionnaire is scheduled for mid-June, 2007 with collection a fortnight later. This is to ensure the maximum response before the summer holidays begin. However, should this target not be met then distribution would be after the holiday period. Following the collection of the Questionnaire, the next few months would be spent processing and analysing all the responses, and then the formulation of the finished Plan. If the June target is met then the Plan would be published around the end of 2007.

6). Publicity.

Much of the success in obtaining maximum response to the Questionnaire, and therefore input to the Plan, depends on Public Awareness. Marham has opted mainly for a Poster Campaign (see 'Posters Page') immediately prior to the distribution of the Questionnaire, and this Web Site. The Parish bulletin has also contained articles about the Plan. It is intended to provide information on the progress of the Plan at the Parish Fun Day in July, and there is also an intention to hold an 'Open Day' later in the year.

7). Questions.

If other Parishes considering Plans, or other interested parties have questions that are not necessarily covered by the pages on this Web Site, then they are welcome to contact us via the 'Contacts' Page and we will be happy to help them in any way possible.