On Wednesday evening councillor Peter Spiers came and spoke nabout The Mayland Plan. He explained why a community-led plan (Parish Plan) was needed for the village. Put simply, without it there is no evidence or direction of the community's requirements, so funding is not allocated accurately or a higher government body decides your parish needs and direction.

A Parish Plan is a published document, which is complied by local people actively involved in making decisions about the future of their community, enpowering them to play an active and sustainable role. It has strategic links to the Planning System.

Mayland Parish council cannot decide for the community alone but can have two councillors on the volunteer steering group comprising five to nine persons, which is overseen by the Rural Community Council of Essex (RCEE) with grant aided finance. Consultation with the community through talks and workshops, gathers information of what the community's needs and aspirations are. They provide a snapshot of parish life and how people want their area to devolop in the future.The process from beginning to end takes 12 to 18 months and requires volunteer time of eight to 20 hours per person to accomplish a published document.

The talk was followed by an audience viewpoint participation illustrating how information is easily gathered.

We were all very impressed with Peter's presentation and asked many questions.The plan covers many aspects of village life including safety and the environment so when the questionnaires fall through YOUR letterbox don't through them away unread this is your chance to say what we need and how we can use these resources. Read the papers, fill them in and be part of The Maylands Village Plan!

We also recently visited The Little Baddow History Centre and church which was very interesting.

Our next meeting on April 9 is Kenneth Rose, a castaway from the BBC series.

Join us in St Lukes at 8pm.