Our place
Community engagement
Community consultation for our Place Plan faced two major challenges: Covid-19 lockdowns prevented public meetings, and a series of disruptions within the community necessitated an especially rigorous approach to information gathering. It was decided that a stepped approach would provide us with a richer body of evidence than one open-ended survey.
Step 1. Focus groups
Between June and November 2021 we held five small focus groups online. Each group of residents was selected on the basis of a common characteristic, such as being volunteers or newcomers. Their input deepened our understanding of residents’ experience of living in the town.
Step 2. Information and Placecheck
Aware of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on Callander’s informal information channels, we published a data-rich website to enable residents to keep up-to-date with local facts and figures. We also set up an interactive Placecheck map online on which people could comment on Callander’s spaces and places.
Step 3. High School survey
We conducted a survey of McLaren High School pupils which found that they most wanted:
- A safe hang-out space to socialise
- Safer access to school for bikes and pedestrians
- A meaningful voice for young people in community decision making
- A wider range of after school activities and clubs
- Access to a football pitch out of school hours
- A wider range of shops on the Main Street
- A brighter and more welcoming Main Street
- Better transport links
- Prioritisation of the climate emergency
- Action on the town’s litter problem.
Step 4. Place Standard Survey
We produced a mailshot inviting locals to complete the Place Standard Survey, either online or on paper. Royal Mail delivered it to every residential address in Callander.
Reminders were disseminated via the local community newspaper, social media and community networks to encourage participation.The results of the survey are shown on the next page.
Step 5. Community survey and ballot
Results from all these consultations were collated and analysed, and the findings informed the structure and composition of the final community survey.
It was a simple “Yes”, “No” or “No opinion” ballot on 35 propositions that we designed to accurately reflect community feedback gathered since June 2021.
We used the same methods to reach all residents in good time. Again, the survey could be completed online or on paper.
All 35 propositions received majority support and form the basis of Callander’s Place Plan.
Who took part?
- 175 pupils participated in the High School survey.
- 105 people made 273 separate comments on the Placecheck interactive map.
- Callander Enterprise polled their members for business responses.
- People from 238 Callander households made over 2,500 comments in the Place Standard Survey. This represents about 15% of all Callander households.
- 357 people from 352 Callander households participated in the final survey. This represents about 23% of all Callander households.
Figure 2. Results of the Callander Place Standard Survey 2022
