You may recall that during the autumn of 2004, the Parish Council asked you to complete a questionnaire to assist them, and other authorities, in discovering how the residents of Oakley wanted to see their village develop in the future.

A Steering Group independent of, but supported by Oakley Parish Council, was established to progress this initiative on behalf of the whole community. The Steering Group also asked for and received offers of assistance from many residents, and from these several sub-committees were established, again to produce Action Plans covering several pertinent village topics for incorporation into a final report. The results are now complete and the analysis of the questionnaire and the Action Plans that were generated, have been published in a document that was delivered to every house in the village during September. 

The monitoring of the individual Action Plans will be publicised in the Parish Council's Newsletter and on this web site

Action Plan Objectives

This plan will enable the whole Community to have a voice on future developments in connection with the way it can:

• Sustain itself

• Support its population of young, middle aged and elderly

• Maintain and improve its economic health

• Adapt to changing times

• Grow and prosper in ways to benefit the whole community

• Protect and enhance the local environment

Oakley Parish Action Plan 2005

The final document, which was delivered to every household in the village, runs to some 26 pages. To read this on-line would be a very time consuming exercise, so for those who would like to see and perhaps retain the document, it is available in Adobe Acrobat format as a 'pdf' file which can be downloaded by pressing this link:

To save this to your hard drive, right click the link above and then click 'Save target as...'
If you do not have the free Acrobat reader on your system, it can be downloaded by clicking: 'Acrobat'

Post Plan Results

As part of these Action Plans, a Youth Action Group has been established to ascertain what activities youngsters in the village would like to see. This was undertaken by asking our youth to complete a questionnaire, and also at a consultation meeting held at the Village Hall on September 24th. The results of these can be viewed by clicking Consultation Day (PDF).

A Traffic survey has been undertaken, to ascertain whether traffic flows through the village have increased as a result of the opening of the Clapham By-pass. The results of this will be posted here shortly.

Following the completion by many of the businesses in the village, of a separate questionnaire, it was apparent that a Village Directory should be produced, to show not only local businesses, but also details of clubs, associations and organistaions that were available to residents of Oakley. This has now been completed, and is now available on this web site.

Environmental Group Update - January 2007

Several items from the action plan have been completed or are in various stages of completion.

Footpaths

    - A gate has been installed next to the stile at the start of the footpath on the southern bank of the river by the Two Bridges. This will improve access for elderly or disabled people.
    - The gate at the Church Lane end of the riverside meadows has been repaired

Litter bins

    - 2 additional litter bins have been installed at the Two Bridges.
    - New litter bin installed at the bus stop outside the pub and one on the Green

Riverside meadows

    - Wildflower survey completed - details available

Pavenham Road

    - The Parish Council has now signed long term lease from the County Council to take over and manage the 4 acre area of land from the river south to the track leading to the industrial units. The land will be become an area for public access and will be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner.

A public meeting has been held in order to obtain villager's ideas on how the land should be used. Based on these suggestions, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity is helping us to draw up plans which will be presented at a public meeting to be held in March 2007.

Health Services and Education Update - January 2007

The group submitted a response to the consultation on three tier education within Bedfordshire.
The group has designed, published and delivered the Village Directory for Oakley. This provides a comprehensive overview of clubs, societies, businesses and community information relating to Oakley. A copy of the directory can be viewed on the web site.

If you are interested in having your details in the next edition then please make contact with any Parish Councillor.

Youth Group Update - March 2007

There are 6 young people who have worked with the adult/youth group in setting up the Youth Club. Martin Hartley is the Chairman, Carol Sudnik the Secretary and Julie Young the Treasurer. Roberto Bonforte the PCSO is working with the Group as is Richard Denton of the Borough Council and Emma of the County Council.
The Young People meet on a Friday night at the Old School with a minimum of 2 adults in attendance. There has been 2 DJ workshops so far. Outings are proposed in the near future.

The Green - The play equipment has been refurbished and new equipment is in place. The benches have been moved to the centre of the Green. Money has been put aside in the precept for a basket ball come cricket installation this year. All equipment, seating will by the end of this year be in place as suggested after our extensive consultation into the wishes of the young and older people in the village.

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