These things take time! In February we heard that the Independent Examiner had accepted the Freshford and Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Plan and was recommending that it should proceed to referendum. We hoped then that it might be possible to hold the referendum on May 7th, the same day as the General Election. Unfortunately, with the Parliamentary, B&NES and Parish Council elections all scheduled for that same day, the B&NES Electoral Services team are fully stretched and our referendum could not be included (the Wiltshire team, who don't have local elections at the same time, could have coped). However we have now heard that the both teams will be getting together just a few days after the General Election to start planning for our referendum. Soon after, we hope to be able to circulate the details to residents. The fact that representatives of two County Councils are having to get together to make these arrangements highlights the unique nature of the Freshford and Limpley Stoke Neighbourhood Plan and why people from far and wide are watching our progress with interest – ours is, as far as we are aware, the only Neighbourhood Plan that spans county boundaries and so we have been breaking new ground in gaining co-operation between County Councils. Once accepted, the Neighbourhood Plan will:
When the referendum finally comes it will be the culmination of a great deal of hard work by a significant number of residents from our two communities – and it would be a really wonderful display of community spirit if as many of us as possible turn out to vote. |
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