Wealden's 2011 parish conference, held at East Sussex National on September 28th, explored the provisions of the Localism Bill, the new powers it will confer on parishes and communities, the use parishes might make of those powers, and the challenges they might face in doing so.
The day included presentations and question-and-answer sessions with Wealden District Council officers and portfolio holders, Action in Rural Sussex and the Sussex Association of Local Councils. Carole Nicholson spoke about Plumpton's experiences of preparing and implementing their Village Action Plan, and Hannah Scott of Building Community attended to inform parishes of the variety of resources available to support them in planning for their communities.
The agenda for the conference and the presentations given can be found below - all files are PDF format.
The Localism Bill and learning about localism - Trevor Leggo, Sussex Association of Local Councils
Localism: what it means to parish and town councils - Teresa Gittins, Action in Rural Sussex
Feedback from round-table discussions
Local experiences from Plumpton - Carole Nicholson, Plumpton Village Action Plan
Supporting communities and neighbourhoods in planning - Hannah Scott, Building Community
Building Community information leaflet
Wealden's approach to localism - Cllr Bob Standley, Leader of WDC
What you think - question and answer session led by Charles Lant, WDC chief executive:
What you think: discussion notes
A fairer future for social housing? Interpreting the opportunities - Amanda Hodge, WDC Head of Housing / Cllr Graham Wells, WDC portfolio holder for affordable housing
Neighbourhood planning in Wealden: Localism and the LDF - Cllr Roy Galley, WDC portfolio holder for planning & development
East Sussex arrangements for the Diamond Jubilee - Marion Shepherd, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex
Questions from the floor: 'flipchart' topic questions and answers
Useful Links here
Useful Documents