One of the biggest surveys of public views undertaken in the Fakenham area in recent years is about to be launched.Ten thousand questionnaires asking residents what they want to see in their communities are to be distributed to households and residents are being strongly urged to take some time to fill them in because it is their opportunity to make their views know about the sort of amenities and facilities they would like to see in the area where they live and work.

One of the biggest surveys of public views undertaken in the Fakenham area in recent years is about to be launched.

Ten thousand questionnaires asking residents what they want to see in their communities are to be distributed to households and residents are being strongly urged to take some time to fill them in because it is their opportunity to make their views know about the sort of amenities and facilities they would like to see in the area where they live and work.

Fakenham mayor Brenda Coldrick, well-known as a community champion who has herself been the driving force behind a number of community events, has urged everyone to take the time to look at the questionnaires when they arrive through their letterboxes and complete as many sections as they can.

“This is vitally important exercise because it will provide information from the area's residents about how they see the community in terms of a wide variety of elements, including the environment, housing, health needs, learning opportunities social facilities and public amenities,” said Mrs Coldrick.

She added: “I would urge people to look at the questionnaires and fill then in as honestly as they can, it's the public's opportunity to have their say on the future of the area in which they live.”

Mrs Coldrick said that the questionnaire, compiled by members of the Fakenham Area Partnership, is seeking information to help communities help themselves. It wants to know the information so that priorities can be drawn up and projects put together which can then be submitted for funding to help them become a reality.

“Please do take the questionnaires seriously, it will cover many aspects of your life in the town where you live and tell the Fakenham Area Partnership what you would like and what you feel you need in your community,” she said.

FAP co-ordinator Andy Turner said that the questionnaires are designed to show what people want in the community in which they live and what they consider to be important for the future. He said it was the biggest exercises seeking residents' views in the Fakenham area in recent years.

“The results of the questionnaires will be collated and analysed and made public. The information will form the basis of evidence that we can use to attract cash for grants for the various projects that we can begin to work on.

Mr Turner said that he recognised that people could well say 'oh its just another survey'. “But the point is the more people who complete the questionnaires the more power we will have to our elbow,” he said.

. Questionnaires can be returned using the freepost envelope provided or left at the Fakenham Information Point in the town's library. They can also be dropped off at the Fakenham Connect offices next the town's Community Centre.

The forms can also be filled in online at www.fakenhamareapartnership.co.uk.

Mr Turner can be contacted on 01328 851555 for more information.