To get the right answers
ask the right questions

Placecheck :  creating an action plan for your street

Your Placecheck will have created both ideas and enthusiasm to get things done.  The next step is to turn ideas into action

Keep in touch with each other

In the first few weeks after your Placecheck, keep in touch with each other to see how people are getting on with their tasks and projects. 

Organise a meeting to discuss the findings of your Placecheck and to create an Action Plan

The aim of the meeting is to create an action plan that everyone can supports. Decide how and when to involve more people eg by word of mouth, or by open invitation, or by putting invites through people’s letter boxes.

You can download the Placecheck action plan form to help you develop your thoughts, or create your own plan from scratch.

Tips

• Let everyone have their say

• Keep in mind other people’s views and feelings

• Share the tasks – eg fund raising, publicity, and specific projects.

• See if there are any organisations you can join up with eg Neighbourhood Watch, residents associations, trade associations, civic societies etc. sure the tasks are shared around.

Ideas for an action plan

What can we do now?

Clear litter, help someone mend a fence, trim a hedge – or start talking and planning.

What can we do soon? ( eg in the next fortnight)

Clear litter, repair damage, phone the council, ask about grants, think of some ideas, plant some plants, paint a fence or building, clean a wall, remove an eyesore.

What could we do by the end of the year?

Start a neighbourhood watch group; improve front gardens (providing each other with help and advice), investigate traffic calming, repairing grass verges or planting trees, install street furniture, organise something at Christmas or New Year such as singing, a party, or street decorations.

What could we do by next summer?

A party in the street, food fair, play, street talent night, games, sponsored walk, decorate the street etc. See the plants we planted in the autumn come to flower. Organise a campaign.

What changes might take a long time?

Things where involvement and gentle persuasion is needed; alterations to the street such as traffic calming or different parking arrangements; changing refuse collection arrangements, changing speed limits, altering parking controls, tidying untidy land.

Should we aim to create a formal group such as a residents' association or street partnership

What you have started is a growing group of people who can support each other in trying to make your street a nicer place, however long it takes.

Are there any other organisations already in existence you could link into?  Is there a local neighbourhood or trade association?  Is there a civic society? Can your group join them? 

Neighbourhood associations and other residents groups are often the best way of getting things moving. Less formal ways can work too – just a commitment from your neighbours to meet regularly and work together to make the changes can be enough.  If you work as a partnership you will be eligible for a far wider range of funding. 

Let people know about what you are doing

Write to your local councillor

Your local council will be able to tell you how to contact them.

Tell them about your Placecheck and your findings.

Think about contacting your local strategic partnership

The local strategic partnership is comprises the local authority and other public sector organisations as well as the private, business, community and voluntary sectors.  They are responsible for preparing a community strategy for your area.  Send them your findings.  Your local authority will be able to tell you how to contact them.

Keep up the pace!

·          Keep in regular contact by telephone and person to person.

·          Celebrate. Have fun.

·          Hold short meetings.

·          Keep people informed.

·          As time goes by try to involve more people.

·          Be successful – pick easy wins, as well as tough tasks.

Hold another Placecheck next year