Draft plan drawn up on how residents think £20m should be spent in their part of Halifax
People living in part of Halifax earmarked for a £20m investment are being urged to review the first draft plan of how the money should be spent.
The first version of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Plan has been developed through extensive community engagement, bringing together what residents and organisations in Mixenden and a section of Illingworth have said matters most.
The funding, to be spent over 10 years, comes from the Government and a board of members of the community has been elected to help find out where it will make the biggest difference.
A consultation will run from November 10 to November 22, giving people an opportunity to read the draft, see how feedback has shaped it and comment before it is finalised.
The plan sets out six priorities – opportunities for children and young people; community safety and anti-social behaviour; cleaner, greener and better maintained neighbourhoods; community spaces and places to connect; opportunity, inclusion and support; and pride, perception and identity.
The board says this next stage is about checking whether the plan accurately reflects the priorities and actions which the community have said matters to them, whether the plan makes sense to local people, and whether any significant messages have been missed or misunderstood.
Residents can agree or disagree with how the findings have been reflected and explain their reasons.
Feedback will help identify any necessary changes or improvements before the plan is finalised.
Chair of the board, and Vicar of Mixenden and Illingworth, Rev Robb Sutherland said: “We have spent the last six months asking our friends and neighbours to give up their time to tell us what matters most.
"The board is made up of local people and people who work here and I want the whole community to know that we have been listening.
"My hope is that our draft plan brings together everything we have heard as we now tell the Government our community priorities.
“As a board we really want people to see what we have done so far with all of these conversations.
"We want to know that we have heard what everyone has told us and make sure we have captured it accurately.”
The full draft plan, a short summary and an online survey will be available at https://engage.calderdale.gov.uk/en-GB/ from November 10.
Leaflets will also be distributed to every home within the Pride in Place programme boundary, explaining how to view the plan and take part, and paper copies and surveys will be available on November 10 from 10am until 8pm at Illingworth Moor Methodist Church and on November 12 from 10am until 8pm at Holy Nativity Church in Mixenden.
Residents who need another format or help accessing the information or sharing their views can contact [email protected] or call 07355 021858.
Responses must be received by 10pm on Sunday, November 22.
Following the consultation, feedback will be reviewed and any necessary refinements considered before final approval and planned submission.