The Millbrook Village Plan was started by Millbrook Parish Council in 2003
This was seen as an excellent way to find out from the people of Millbrook, how they would like to see Millbrook improve and develop in the future.
How the information contained in the plan was
gathered
In September 2003 a public meeting was held at Millbrook School to gauge support amongst residents for completing a Parish Plan to collate their views and build a vision for the future of our village.
During January 2004 volunteers and Parish Councillors formed a Steering Group and funding was obtained from Caradon District Council and the Countryside Agency to consult the whole community.
Community concerns
Over the first quarter of 2004, the group asked local organisations, the elderly and young people to suggest key issues of concern, which were used to develop a questionnaire to establish the concerns of the community.
Approximately 30 volunteers helped with designing, delivering, collecting and collating the questionnaires, which were distributed to all of the 926 households in the Parish; each also incorporated a young person’s questionnaire for 11 to 16-year-olds and a volunteer form.
Over half of the households returned their completed questionnaires
This was an amazing response for a community of this size. The spread of responses accurately reflected the overall distribution of the population of Millbrook.
In the August rainy season a dedicated band of “data input experts”
entered all the replies and comments into a database using the parish council public Computer Centre.
Cornwall Rural Community Council assisted the Steering Group in identifying the top twenty issues, and co-ordinated a superb Action Fair in November 2004. We had a fun day with approximately 300 people attending to help decide the priority concerns for both the Village Plan Steering Group and the Parish Council to address.
Results were documented
A document was produced as a result of the consultation process and represents the democratic views of the residents of Millbrook as to the future of their village.
It was adopted by the Parish Council in February 2005 and is continually referred to in the council’s decision-making. You can download this document as a PDF here – Millbrook Village Plan.
In 2011 a further short questionnaire was distributed to all households in the parish so that the council could update the Village Plan to reflect progress made and indicate areas for future action.
Progress so far …
The amenities provided by the lake area was top of the list of priorities. With this in mind the Council set about successfully applying for a series of grants that allowed us to make many improvements to the facilities and environment. As a result the island in the lake has been rebuilt, footpaths provided, a kingfisher bank has been made and hundreds of trees have been planted. Benches and picnic tables and information boards have been added. In order to protect our heritage the Council purchased the Lime Kiln and Stone Pier from the Duchy of Cornwall so it can be maintained for the benefit of the community.
The Council obtained further grants which enabled the Tractor park and skateboard park to be revamped taking into account what the users of these facilities wanted. Work has been done in the Tanyard on planting and improving the area with more work planned.
To address concerns over traffic in the village traffic calming measures have been implemented along New Road and a 20mph speed limit introduced throughout the village. In addition a unloading bay has been marked out in West Street and double yellow lines by the Tanyard are in place to help reduce dangerous parking and congestion.
The Parish Council took over the West Street car park from Cornwall Council to keep costs down.
The Village Enhancement Team are addressing the issue of keeping the public areas clean and tidy. This is addition to planting up boats and flower beds and using bunting to make the centre of the village more attractive.
Residents wanted better availability of locally produced food and there is a monthly farmers market in the Tanyard.
Although having mains gas in the village was a priority for the residents the Council are at the mercy of the gas companies to lay the mains to the village!!
Work is still going on …
A small group of volunteers and Parish Councillors meets regularly to undertake works around the village, helping to maintain and improve areas such as the Tanyard and the lakeside.
If you would like to become involved, please contact the Parish Clerk on 01752 823128.
More information
View the Village Plan PDF – Millbrook Village Plan