Parish plan questionnaire seeks to improve people's lives in Chipping Sodbury (From Gazette Series)
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Chipping Sodbury residents urged to complete parish plan survey
6:00pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Alexandra Womack
Members of the Sodbury Parish Plan group with the questionnaire which has been delivered to every resident
A QUESTIONNAIRE to find out what people living in the Sodburys think of their area has been delivered to every resident.
The 10-page document, which asks people what improvements they would like to see in Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury and Little Sodbury, is part of a Sodbury Parish Plan being put together by an independent group.
Chairman Jane Lund said the questionnaire gave everyone in the town their chance to have a say on shaping its future.
“Every household in the Sodbury parish has a questionnaire now,” she said. “We really want people to send them back so we can have the yes and no questions analysed professionally and the group can look at people’s comments in details.
“This is their chance to put forward their suggestions and if we get those responses back we will be more readily able to provide what the community is saying is wanted.”
The parish plan has been in development for over a year and the survey has been in the pipeline for some months.
It asks residents a range of general questions including if they enjoy living in Sodbury, why they live the area, what events they enjoy and facilities they use. More specific questions relate to the future use of the old Barnhill Quarry site, if more sports facilities are needed, if people are happy with arrangements for the bi-annual Mop fair and if parking charges should be introduced.
Added Mrs Lund: “We hope people will not find it too daunting. Because we are trying to capture everyone’s views we felt it necessary to have a larger questionnaire but people do not have to answer every question.
“We are holding several drop-in sessions and are very happy to help.”
Completed questionnaires should be returned in the pre-paid envelope provided or delivered to Chipping Sodbury Town Hall or the Dog Inn in Old Sodbury by April 1. A cash prize draw will take place following that date and all residents who have completed the questionnaire will be entered.
The group is then planning to launch a draft plan for the coming years in the summer.
A drop-in session for anyone with any questions about the survey takes place in Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church on Saturday, March 9 (10am-12noon).
