Community Option Studies are happening all around the district. They enable communities (including non-Greenfields residents) to determine independently the issues that are important to them in their area. There are several stages:

1) Residents are encouraged to come along to informal meetings in specific areas, where they can learn more about the process and express their interest in the community. 

2) A questionnaire is delivered to all households in the area that have been chosen for the options study to take place. 

3) The questionnaires are looked at to determine what the issues are in that particular area and what it is that people would like to see changed or improved upon. These could include:

• Parking
• Speeding                                     
• Community spirit
• Enviromental Issues
• Lighting

4) A steering group is formed by residents from the areas in question. They begin to prioritise actions and look at ways to identify a plan to deal with their issues raised from the questionnaire.

5) The group publish their action plan, which will guide them in improving their area and to help secure funding. 

A new Option Study is being launch in Braintree.  If you live in or around the Goldingham Estate and want to help determine what is important to you as a community then make sure you get involved.

In Braintree there are currently two active Option Studies.  One in the Glebe Estate and the other in Cressing Parish. 

Glebe Options Study

The Glebe Option Study Group can be contacted directly by emailing glebe-estate@live.com.  The group have completed their first action plan that identifies:

• What the questionnaire highlighted
• What the group have done
• What further action they plan to take

The plan was completley devised by the group themselves and fits the needs of the group and the Glebe community.

Cressing Parish Option Study

The Option Study in Cressing began last Spring. A questionnaire was devised by residents of Cressing with help from the Parish Council, that would draw out what people thought of where they live. It was delivered to every household in Cressing and actions will be prioritised from this.  A number of residents are now involved in forming a community group, that will carry forward the comments that were received in the adult and youth questionnaire.

The group will be sending out a news letter to keep the village informed about what they area getting up to. They also plan to concentrate on Community Spirit and will be planning events for the future so keep a look out for advertising and have your chance to express you view!

If you live in any of the areas mentioned above, and want to have the opportunity to come and have your say and get involved. Contact Kelly Scott, Community Gateway Advisor for Braintree on 01376 535400 ext 4119 or email kelly.scott@GreenfieldsCH.org.uk