FROM big ideas like pedestrianising the high street, to subtler changes like a constant display of perennial flowers, a people’s poll is taking shape in one Suffolk town.

Everyone over the age of 10 in Saxmundham is being asked to complete an opinion survey by Thursday’s deadline to stand a chance of helping shape the future of their town.

This time last year, the idea of a Saxmundham Town Plan was being unveiled at meeting in the Market Hall - but now public opinion is all set to be turned into a finished document.

Volunteers have delivered surveys all over the town, with one set of questions aimed at 10 to 16-year-olds and another drawn up for adults.

Last August the Saxmundham Town Plan Working Party benefited from a £6,200 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All scheme which helped pay for an in-depth survey to identify the needs and wishes of residents.

The survey also includes data showing comparative levels of investment over the past five years by Saxmundham and its neighbouring towns Leiston, Aldeburgh and Framlingham.

The working party, which is split into focus groups with responsibility for environment, transport and access, social and community, economy and youth, now aims to present its final report to Saxmundham Town Council in the spring.

The council has agreed to adopt the recommendations in the report and help deliver the priorities, subject to resources, in the context of a new Neighbourhood Plan influenced by the survey.