The Brabourne and Smeeth Community Led Plan, or CLP, grew out of a series of public meetings and a community wide questionnaire as to what improvements and additional facilities our community would benefit from. It was set up under the auspices of the Localism Act 2011 which required the CLP to be made up from residents and not be part of either parish councils although PC representation is permitted.
A committee of volunteers was set up to deliver the improvements. Suggestions included smartening up the village pond and fencing, providing additional facilities for the youngsters in our community, an outdoor gym, a footpath across the village green, a youth shelter and smartening up the community. Other matters considered included the possibility of merging the two parish councils, trying to get improvements to the village bus service, especially on a Friday and Saturday evening, have a pavement created on Woolpack Hill, the provision of additional affordable housing and dealing with the potholes and speeding.
All the fundraising for these projects and the delivery of the results is undertaken by volunteers. To date the pond has been cleared out of rubbish; the damaged fencing repaired and repainted; a basketball hoop has been erected on the playing field; and an outdoor gym erected on the village green. In conjunction with the WI, a programme of planting out the verges with spring flowers has been undertaken and planting will continue for the foreseeable future. The next project will be the footpath across the Warren running parallel to Bridge Road. This is expected to cost about £20,000.
The Chairman is Richard Graham who can be contacted at richard.graham15@btopenworld.com
There is also a Facebook page at Facebook – Brabourne and Smeeth Plans.
