Community Support

From Norfolk RCC

Community Development Officers

Each of the Community Development Officers within NRCC is available to provide support for a range of issues and activities in rural communities, within a given geographical area in Norfolk. Please contact the Community Development Officer for your area with enquiries.

All Development Officers can be reached through the main office number 01362 698216

Breckland- Lucinda Leonard - lucindanorfolkrcc.org.uk

Broadland and Grt Yarmouth- Henry Meiklejohn - henrynorfolkrcc.org.uk

West Norfolk - Janice Howell- janicenorfolkrcc.org.uk

South Norfolk - Hannah Grant- hannahnorfolkrcc.org.uk

North Norfolk - Peter Smith - peternorfolkrcc.org.uk

The Community Development Officer's Role

The Community Development Officer's role is to act as the first point of call for enquiries from communities and community groups, for general advice, such as funding matters and organisational issues. They are actively involved at relevant partnership meetings and disseminate information both to partnership organisations and to communities – providing a communication and information link. Community Developmnet Officers facilitate the exchange of best practice between communities through seminars, working groups, displays and shared resources.

Through discussion and involvement in the planning of community activities, they encourage individuals, groups and organisations in their understanding of rural disadvantage and social exclusion. They endeavour to assist communities to develop local initiatives to meet those needs.

A key element of the Community Development Officer's work is to promote Parish Plans and other community led consultations, through presentations to Parish Councils, Local Strategic Partnerships, Local Area Partnerships, Local Authorities, Area Forums, and other agencies.

Parish Plans

Essentially a Parish Plan is a process by which the whole community can voice their opinions on what actions they wish to see taken in their local area in the future. It can help to bring the community closer together and a final published final report contains a detailed action plan of how to make changes happen either as a community or with other partners. Our Development Officers can support you in every aspect of developing a Parish Plan for your community, from forming a steering group to delivering actions.

An example of a Parish Plan as an effective tool for community planning

Martham near Great Yarmouth has good reasons to celebrate the success of the parish plan and be proud of their achievements. Since the plan was launched in May 2004 progress has been phenomenal. The Parish Council in partnership with the Playing Field Trust took up the baton and turned their attention to the development of a new floodlit play area complex on the playing field. The £200,000 project opened this June and comprises a skate park, teen shelter, climbing wall, multi use games area, children’s play area and car park. The project was funded by Biffa, £50,000, Defra, £120,000, and Great Yarmouth Borough Council, £30,000.

For more information about Martham and what it has to offer please view http://www.martham.gov.uk/pages/facilities/facilities.htm

If you are inspired by this then click here for more information about the Parish Plan Process or contact the Development Officer for your area.