Local residents in Stonnall are celebrating the news that they have been awarded £20,000 government funding to help improve their local village. The news of the funding came as a result of the efforts of local residents, local parish and district councillors, businesses and more, who all came together to identify local issues in and around Stonnall and come up with ideas to solve them.

Cllr David S. Smith, Stonnall Ward District Councillor, commented: “As part of the Localism Bill, Greg Clark, Minister of State for Communities and Local Government, called for local communities to come together to work out how to address the issues in their local area. The government offered ‘Neighbourhood Planning’ funding to communities who could put together a plan that shows how they can address their local issues.

Local Stonnall residents jumped at the chance to develop apply for ‘Neighbourhood Planning’ funding, and over twenty people from across the community came together to identify the top ten challenges the village faces – from providing for the needs of young people, through to improving transport, and protecting wildlife. Based on the challenges, the residents then developed a Village Plan and submitted it to the government as part of a funding bid.”

Local Stonnall Councillor Sheila Beilby, Chairman of Shenstone Parish Council, commented: “We were absolutely delighted to hear that our Village Plan has been successful in attracting £20,000 to help us develop it into a fully fledged Neighbourhood Plan for Stonnall. We are confident the funding will help us to address some key local issues and improve the lives of everyone living and working in the village.”

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council commented: “I’d like to congratulate all the villagers in Stonnall who came together to make a Village Plan a reality. Many people tell me that David Cameron’s concept of the Big Society is sometimes difficult to grasp, but I think this is a real example of where the Big Society approach is really making a difference, and where the local community is taking control and working together for their shared future. I’m looking forward to seeing their plans develop and initiatives get off the ground.”