Isleham Parish Plan 2009

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION 4 2. OBJECTIVES 4 3. SURVEY SUMMARY 4-5 4. VILLAGE HISTORY 6-8 5. ISLEHAM WASHES 9-10 6. EDUCATION & WORK 11 7. TRAFFIC/HIGHWAYS/FOOTPATHS 12 8. PATHS & LIGHTING 13 9. ENVIRONMENT 14 10. COMMUNICATION 14 11. TRANSPORT 15-16 12. HOUSING 17 13. SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY 18 14. COMMUNITY 18 15. PARISH COUNCIL/LOCAL GOVERNMENT 19 16. SPORTS & SOCIAL ACTIVITIES 20-21 17. SHOPS & SERVICES 21-22 18. CHURCH & CHAPEL 23 19. ACTION PLAN 24-26 20. VILLAGE DIRECTORY 27 21. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 27

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

1. INTRODUCTION

Parish Plans are being produced by many communities across the country and Isleham is no exception. The last village appraisal look place in 1999 and so it was felt that 2008-09 would be a good time to undertake a further survey to see how things have changed, developed, improved or worsened in the last 10 years. The process of creating the plan has given everyone the chance to say what they think about the social, economic and environmental issues affecting our community. An important aspect of the Parish Plan is that it can form strategic links with influential organizations, such as the District Council. The Parish Council’s contribution iThe Isleham Parish Plan began in March 2008 with a meeting at the village hall with a representative from Cambridgeshire Acre, the parish clerk, a few parishioners and 2 parish councillors. A grant towards the cost of producing the plan was received from Cambridgeshire Acre in the form of funding of £1500. The Parish Council’s contribution included the Clerk’s time as well as office supplies used in preparation of both the survey and the completed questionnaire.

The survey was delivered and collected by a team of volunteers including those on the committee. 2. OBJECTIVES • To have a clearer view of how the residents feel about the village; what it is like to live here; what strengths and weaknesses, concerns, problems and needs there are. • To enable local residents to express their opinions about how they would like to see Isleham develop. • To gather evidence that supports changes suggested by local people. • To provide the principal authorities (ECDC/CCC) along with Isleham Parish Council accurate evidence of need enabling them to target their resources and services to meet Isleham’s requirements. • accurateTo recognise evidence that many developmentsof need enabling in Isleham them can be tobrought target about their by theresources involvement and of the services to mcommunity. 3. SUMMARY 294 Households answered the survey representing 716 people including children living in these households. The sexes were again evenly represented with 50.9% males and 49.1% females. 117 were children aged 0-15 with a slightly higher proportion of girls than boys (56.4%/43.6%).

What age group do you belong to?

160

140

120

100 80 60

20 p 0 Under 5-10 11-15 16-17 18-24 25-44 45-59 60-64 65-74 75-84 85+ 5 years

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

How long have you lived in Isleham? The majority of respondents have lived in Isleham for 1-25 years

30 (62.9%). The remainder have lived in the village for 26-50 years 16.9%; 25 51+ years 4.0% and those who have lived here their whole life 16.2%. 20

% 15

0 Less than 1 - 5 years 6 - 15 16 - 25 26 - 50 51+ years Whole life 1 year years years years

A Brief Analysis of the Questionnaire

83% think the school is very important 71.5% work outside Isleham

55% of people use the shops weekly 37% of people use the Post Office weekly

72% read every issue of the Informer of these 46% readers would like more items on leisure

Although only 5.3% of people have problems collecting prescriptions 73.4% would collect them from the Post Office if this were possible. 68.5% concerned about lack of off road parking

66.9% concerned about speeding 48.6% would like to see a good neighbour scheme and 55% of people would help occasionally with it 67.5% think there should be a neighbourhood watch scheme in the village and 50.3% would join it.

61.8% are concerned about vandalism 74.5% are concerned about litter and graffiti

70% would like a greater police presence 69% felt that religious groups make a positive contribution to the community 67.5% think litter is a problem in the village 83.5% want dog waste bins 73% want a public report in the Informer and 50% wanted an information sheet

5 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

4. VILLAGE HISTORY

DEVELOPMENT OF ISLEHAM

RELIGION

Isleham probably developed due to its isolation on a chalky outcrop surrounded on three sides by waterlogged Fenland, and a need to fulfill a requirement for religious contemplation. In 1090 a Benedictine Priory was established as an off-shoot from a Benedictine Abbey in Brittany. Brittany was under English rule at the time.

In 1330 St Andrew’s Church was built on the site of several previous churches, with 100% enlargement of the building about 160 years later. This included a porch for the purpose of marriage or exchange of vows with, or without, a priest. Entrance to the church itself was almost exclusively for the use of the clergy until the Reformation. Isleham became a parish in 1566.

In the mid - 17th century the following three events occurred in English history:

• Oliver Cromwell Rises to Fame – Oliver Cromwell rose to fame as a military and political leader during the English Civil Wars. Following the execution of Charles 1, he became the most powerful man in the land as Head of the Republic between 1653 until his death in 1658. His house still exists in Ely. • The Reformation – Caused religious and political upheaval throughout the land. • The Draining of the Fens.

1693 saw the foundation of Pound Lane Independent Church. It’s non-conformist ranks were swollen by Huguenots and Walloons escaping religious persecution on the Continent of Europe.

In 1812 The High Street Church came into existence and is still flourishing to the extent that it has been granted planning permission to build a larger church in Beck Road, minimizing a critical car parking problem associated with having three churches in close proximity.

POLICIES AFFECTING RESIDENTS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARISH

1651-52 saw the completion of a major element of the Fen drainage and the curtailing of catastrophic flooding of land and property by means of sluices to control the combination of high tides with following winds (the river Lark was tidal prior to 1652). The effect of changing waterlogged Fenland into dry agricultural soil generated a loss of income to the wild fowling and fishing communities but greatly increased productive farming land. The River Lark was an important factor in the development of Isleham over many hundreds of years as part of a comprehensive river transport system. It connected to a major shipping facility by sea to the Continental and English ports where cargo was re-loaded on to barges and thence to their destinations. Very few roads existed. Starting at the most Southerly point of the River Lark and Parish Boundary, and travelling Northwards, there were a number of links to Isleham. The first two links were to East Fen Road. One of those links led to a Ferry, an inn, an area where peat (turf) was cut for fuel and a point at which baptisms took place in the river. The next link was a canal and towpath which also had access to a clay pit near East Fen Road. The clay was probably used to line or repair the river banks. Another link was the Sluice Ditch alongside Waterside. This was a popular unloading point for coal and re-loading with clunch. Waterside also provided access to a piece of common land, with river frontage, called ‘The Little Wash’.

6 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Along the remaining length of the Lark Parish Boundary, was a community of Fen people. They had a number of inns, a church, a small shop and a school. Prior to the re-building of the Prickwillow Road, people from the Community used to walk or cycle along the top of the river bank to Isleham. The oxidization of Fenland peat lowered the soil level and turned the rivers into aqueducts which resulted in producing a maintenance problem of the river banks. The railway came to Isleham in 1886.

In 1889, the Government introduced a Parliamentary Act which formed the basis of the current planning laws by County Councils. The new laws applied to: roads, bridges, education, public health, mental health, agriculture and town and country planning.

The administration division of a County pre- 1889 was by The Hundred Role system. Note: The term ‘Hundred’ related to a group of one hundred families of Freemen at the time of compiling the DoomsdayN Book (1084-1086), by order of William the Conqueror. The County of Cambridgeshire consisted of nineteen units of a hundred. Isleham, with Soham and Fordham, were called: ‘The StaploeT Hundred’. (Isleham became a church and secular division in its own right). Isleham, with S The next hundred years saw the greatest change to the peoples’ way of life.

World War 1 saw the development of aircraft. A surplus of military vehicles and their drivers promoted growth of commercial road haulage, buses and the decline of use of the horse and cart. In 1918 there was a change of social status of women. Age over 30, they were allowed to vote. In 1928, the age was lowered to 21. Women played an important role in growing flowers which were sent to the Flower Market in Covent Garden, London.

A through road to Prickwillow was constructed before the 2nd World War. Post-World War 2, railways declined due to lack of maintenance of stock and infrastructure during the war. (Isleham Station closed in 1961).

Free medical care was introduced in 1948. The Village Hall was built in 1952. The Isleham Bowls Club was formed.a Due to the availability of finance, more people could afford to buy their homes and cars. The period of education increased from fourteen to sixteen years. More university places became available.

The enlargement of the Recreation Ground accommodated growing demand for external space. A planning application has been made for a new, larger Village Hall including changing and shower facilities for sports clubs. The closure of the Comrades’ Club occurred on 1.11.09.

7 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

VILLAGE STRUCTURE Isleham is bisected by its only categorized road (B1104) which meanders through the village between Prickwillow (North) and Chippenham (South). The Parish covers a distance of six miles from North to South (along B1104) by two and three quarter miles wide at its widest point, measured along West Street/The Causeway axis.

The Parish divides itself into three distinct areas: Fenland Farms 68% (North) Levels -1 to zero metres Village Envelope 4% (Middle) “ 5 to 10 “ High Level Farms 28% (South) “ 10 to 15 “ Levels based on 1999 survey.

The central core of the village (Conservation area) contains a number of listed buildings with development mainly to East and West. The Conservation Area within the village development constitutes approximately twenty five percent of the village envelope.

There is an annexe to the village, Isleham Marina, which officially lies in West Suffolk but only has road access through Isleham due to the fact that the construction of the canal and lock in early 1800’s cut off any direct vehicular access within Suffolk. The Marina has in excess of one hundred chalet bungalows and about the same number of boats mainly with living accommodation on board, which use Isleham/Cambridgeshire facilities such as: Primary and Secondary schools, shops, garage, sewage and power supplies, recreation grounds and post office, etc. Its postcode is Cambridgeshire with mail sorted at Ely and Isleham.

There are a number of clunch houses built in the 1800’s. They are not readily visible due to extended frontages in brick or render, although clunch is very visible in individual boundary walling.

CHARACTER The central core of the village (Conservation Area), where the distances and levels between properties across the street, combined with a very wide range of transport from invalid carriages, cars, coaches, farming and drainage equipment, motor cycles, cyclists, delivery vehicles, horses inhibits the provision of the statutory requirements for roads and, especially, footpaths, where many are extremely narrow with excessive cross falls. All of this helps to impart a rural character to a village surrounded by farming land. The whole being overlaid with an interesting variety of aircraft. Another distinctive aspect is the varied types of domestic buildings.

• Pre-Victorian – high pitched roofs fifty to fifty five degrees with clay tiles. Very variable ridge heights due to spans, one, two or three floors and ground floor levels in relation to present level of roads. • Victorian – post 1840 railway facilitated distribution of slate from outside the region. Variable ceiling heights determined ridge heights rather than roof spans – lower pitches to roof. • Bungalows • Current Designs – influenced by the high prices of building land and increases in density have resulted in an increased depth of house and narrower frontages thereby reducing lengths of roads and services (More houses per length of road). The extra depth can facilitate an extra floor within the roof space. The village appears smaller than it really is due to the high proportion of development in cul-de-sac and backland development – over fifty percent. David Alberry-King

8 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

5. ISLEHAM WASHES

There are a number of Arable and Livestock farms in Isleham of various sizes. Of the Livestock Farms, the largest breeds pigs and cattle the others cattle or pigs only. Farmland in Isleham is almost all arable except for some fen fields that are permanent grass. The soil standing between Fenland and Breckland is easily worked, free-draining loam over chalk and some sand and silt bordering onto black fen to the northwest. Most of the fenland now drained and farmed was formerly grassland used for grazing cattle and horses. There are also areas of grassland that are steeped in history; one being the Priory field, a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is owned by the Pembroke College and rented for grazing horses. The others are the Washes (The Little Wash and The Big Wash) running along Fen Bank on the River Lark.

The Washes are rented by a livestock farmer in Isleham from the Parish Council. In 2006 the Washes were placed into the Government Stewardship Schemes: Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) and Entry Level Stewardship (ELS). The Schemes run by Natural England who are responsible for delivering environmental conservation schemes for farmers and landowners.

The Isleham Washes are special sites for wintering waders and wildfowl. Each year wading birds including snipe, redshank and lapwing, along with wildfowl such as wigeon, gadwell and teal are attracted to the Washes. The Scheme provides the Tenant guidance and ensures appropriate management of the site. Cattle and ponies provide suitable habitat for the waders and wildfowl through extensive grazing. The management of Isleham Washes in HLS/ELS means that the site and its visitors (the wildlife) can continue to be enjoyed by local villagers.

9 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Much has changed. Gone are all the small farms with the little farmyards and a few animals, together with the milking herds that once supplied the village. Many of the old farmyards have been sold for housing development. Fields of celery grown on the black fen within the village bounds, once a familiar sight, have given way to arable crops attracting EC subsidies.

Over the years farmers have had to subsidize their income by way of diversification. The largest livestock farm in the village has a farm shop and another farm has opened a part of their land as a campsite.

Today, instead of labour-intensive holdings of 40 or 50 acres, farms of 500 plus acres, 300 plus acres, and several farms of 100 acres and under are scattered in and around the village. Farmers now work their own arable land with modern machinery using contract services at peak times of the year. Cambridgeshire County Council owns some rented arable land within the parish.

The main crops grown are wheat, barley, potatoes, a small amount of linseed and oilseed rape, and sugar beet which is grown under contract for processing at the Bury St Edmunds sugar factory. A large carrot washing and packaging plant is situated on the north-western edge of the parish, employing some local labour, process both home-grown and imported carrots.

(1 acre = 0.405 hectares)

Roseanna Thompson

10 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

6. EDUCATION & WORK

EDUCATION The catchment area for Isleham Primary School is Isleham and Chippenham. There are places for 210 children and in this current year (2009) there are 205 children on the register comprising 108 boys and 97 girls from 150 families. There are 31 staff members and 15 governors.

The school has achieved Healthy School Status Active Mark in 2008 (P.E. And Sports Strategy). It has also received £3000 from Awards for All to develop an eco area/gardening club, came first in the Cambridgeshire Young People’s film festival 2009 and has won cups in numerous sporting activities.

A number of clubs are held at the school including a Breakfast Club, Club Zone (an after school club) various sports clubs, science, sewing, drama, choir, homework, gardening and film.

From the survey it was found that 83% of residents felt that the primary school is very important in the village.

According to the questionnaire, out of the 117 children only 4 (3.5%) have a special educational need; 13 attend the Under 5’s; 42 attend Isleham Primary School; 6 go to other primary schools; 37 attend Soham Village College and 5 attend other secondary schools. (The remaining 14 respondents were not specific about which schools if any were attended). 10.3% of these children do not attend after school clubs because of the distance between home and school, the lack of transport home or the expense. It should be noted that after-school activities have generated a requirement for public transport which may increase with compulsory education rising from the age of sixteen to eighteen. Could this create a demand for a Study Centre in the village?

There were 22 responses of young people age 16-17, 13 (60%) of whom attend sixth form colleges. 5 (3.1%) of these use the Fenland Flyer to get to college in Cambridge.

11 attend university (26.1%)

11 attend training courses although these were not specified. (26.1%) (Assuming that university and training courses are undertaken by those in the 18-24 age bracket).

WORK 71.5% of the respondents work outside of Isleham with the remaining 28.5% of those who responded (358 in total) working in the village. Business activities were many and varied.

Local Government/Public Sector 12.5%; Construction at 10.9%; Manufacturing/Engineering 9.9%; Retail Services 9.2%; Manufacturing 5.9%; Agriculture/Horticulture 5.3%; Transport 4%; Financial Services 3.3%; Communications 2%; Tourism 1.7% and Food Processing 1.3% ‘Other’ employment accounted for 34%.

As only 1/3 of the population returned the survey it is difficult to ascertain whether or not this accurately reflects the employment situation for the whole of the village.

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

General congestion Traffic problems in Isleham Villagers showed concern about traffic problems in Isleham, with Lack of off road parking 68.5% blaming the lack of off-road

pedestrian/vehicle conflict parking, and 58.8% worried about

traffic speed through the village, need for w ider footpaths 302 187 particularly by lorries. 55.3%

352 need for pedestrianisation thought improved public transport 172 would alleviate some problems. need for traffic regulation The rise of car ownership has 284 124 created a parking problem in the 138 42 157 need for more public transport village. lorry traffic

traffic speed

Question 43 asked about speed control measures, and replies showed support for an extension of present speed limits and introduction of new ones. Just over a third of respondents felt that no more speed controls were necessary and many people commented that present restrictions would be adequate if they were enforced. There is currently an initiative being undertaken by parishioners and the local Neighbourhood Panel called ’Speed-watch’ where residents from neighbouring villages monitor the speed of vehicles driving through the village. Any driver recorded driving over the speed limit should receive a letter from the local police warning them that this has been noted and they should take care in the future to remain within the limit.

Which speed controls would you support in Isleham?

Almost 70% of villagers thought that road signs were adequate 160 109 Extension of speed limit (Q.44), though comments were made that the signs to the 134 Introduce a speed limit Children at Play signs ‘carrot factory’ should be More road warning signs improved from the A142. 160 Traffic calming 123 None of the above 118

1911 - Mill Street, Isleham, opening of a new co-op store.

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Improving paths and lighting 87% of residents indicated that street lighting in Isleham was

good or reasonable, (Q46) 146 134 more footpaths though 48.6% did think that environmentally sensitive street more street lights 97 lights should be used. 147 environmetally friendly street lights 35.5% thought that the more pavements pavements in Isleham are not 207 re-surfacing of footpaths ‘user-friendly’ for people with information about public disabilities, pushchairs or

237 footpaths wheelchairs. (Q 46) better access to public

163 footpaths

9. ENVIRONMENT

Questions 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72

A number of comments were made about restoring the old pond on East Fen Road.

What do you think should be done to protect the local environment?

80 70 60 50

% 40 30 20 10

t g r ly c er ng in g l hs h cli po at t savin ns st p O y ra po le g t m nt loca ts of way Recy ic e h Villagers are keen to help ner co Cyc ubl y rig Reduce traffi E p it oym d protect and enhance the d ove mun r ove re empl Imp local environment of Com o Impr M Isleham (Q.67)

13 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Question 69 In this area we have a In this area we have a In recent years the recycling of waste has becomew imperative. In this area we have a weekly rubbish w In this area we have a collection and a two-weekly collection of paper, garden waste with cardboard, tins, glass and certain w plastics. A very large majority of respondents (83.5%)e expressed a willingness to recycle. However e there were a significant number of adverse comments about the reliability of collections. e

Question 70

83.5% of respondents think that Isleham should have dog waste bins, with 6.5% disagreeing and

10% being undecided.

Protecting wildlife Question 71

The graph shows the combined 90% percentages of respondents who 80% think that the activities are ‘very 70% important’ or ‘worth doing’.

60%

50% Less than 10% thought that each of

these activities were not necessary, 40% a whilst even smaller numbers a 30%

expressed no opinion. 20%

10%

0% Create local nature reduce pollution in campaign against Create new ponds reserves countyside litter

Improving the natural environment

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

Question 72 30%

Villagers are also keen 20%

to improve our natural 10% environment, though 0%

there are disagreements

walls

Repair clunch

trees trees short single Keep

grow

trees trees in trees hedges

about the way it should Preserve

hedges orchards short and naturally

Plant new Cut down Look after woodlands Plant more Plant more

Let hedges be done. trees some

10. COMMUNICATION

The village is well served by the Isleham Informer, indeed almost three quarters of respondents claim to read every issue and 18.5% read most issues. (Q27) 76% think that it gives good or reasonable information about what goes on in Isleham, but most people would like to see more information about local events. Of course, this can only happen if residents forward this information to the

Informer.

70.8% of the respondents usually get information about what goes on in Isleham from the Informer, (Q.24) but the Co-op and Post Office are also useful for advertising events. Information is also found in the free paper, the local paper and on the Notice Board – though one respondent who has lived in the village for many years did not know this notice board existed!

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

11. TRANSPORT

Questions 29 – 36 Bus services in Isleham are poor. This causes concern, not only to people who are dependant on them

to travel out of the village, but also to the 71% of villagers who believe that improved services would

enhance and protect our environment (Q67)

At the present time there is only What improvements would you like to see to the bus one bus per day that leaves for se rvice s? Cambridge in the morning and returns in the evening. Links to Soham/Mildenhall

363 people answered Q.36, Disabled access

relating to improvements Bus stop location

required, and of these 78.2% Reliability would like to see an Cos t improvement in the routes and Timetables 71.9% improvements in Routes timetables. 01020304050607080

101 people responded to %

Question 35 “Which of the bus services do you use?” Of these, 49% use the bus, 58% use the Staploe Bus, 15% use the Dial-a-Ride Service and 25% use Bus Service 203.

Do you experience difficulties travelling

Despite the poor bus services, 67% of out of Isleham? respondents experience no problems

travelling out of Isleham, however 15.8% Of ten often have difficulties, and 17.1 % 16% occasionally do; many respondents O pointed out that if they became unable to drive these numbers would change Occasionally dramatically. 17%

Nev er

67%

93 people showed interest in using such a scheme as a passenger, (Q.34) a Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Only 83 people responded to Question 33 Would you use a voluntary car service ‘How often would you be willing to help with as a passenger? a voluntary transport service?’ with the majority of them able to help on an occasional basis. 93 people showed interest 105 in using such a scheme as a passenger, 78 (Q.34) and again most of them only needed to do so occasionally (16.4%), whilst 2.1% would use the scheme weekly and 1.1% Weekly monthly. monthly occasionally There was not a great deal of support for the Never provision of a voluntary car service, (Qs 30 - 34) with only 14.4% saying they were prepared to take part in such a scheme. Of 382 these 75% are only able to do so occasionally. Moreover, most respondents state they would never use a voluntary car service as a passenger. However to the people who would make use of it, such a scheme could prove invaluable .

1907 - Isleham Station. Main Platform & Station House. Note the adverts on the parcel shed.

Q Q

65% thought we need more homes for younger people, 25% would like 65% thought we need more homes for youngerIsleham people,t ParIsh25% would like Plan 2009 t

12. HOUSING O O Questions 48, 49 50, 51

513 people responded to the 45 question ‘What kind of accommodation do you think 40 Isleham needs?’ (Q.48) Of 35 these less than a fifth (17.3%) 30 thought that no further homes were needed. 65% 25 % thought we need more 20 homes for younger people, 15 25% would like to see more 10 homes adapted for people with disabilities. Small family 5 homes were desired by 0 43.7%, homes for single ip n d d y le tes o a sing sh he ce flats s ta tates c a ll onl t people 23.6% and Sheltered s ou er a rr fi s e et te n o e ll es wn d I g d h c Housing by 23.6%. Only re ar e Park homes ow L sma red o g Associati L elt a n o need for any 10.5% of respondents h i N s sh thought Isleham needs more Hous ‘executive’ type houses. What kind of accommodation do you think Isleham needs? l No-one thought that there ought to be a large estate built, but 24.5% felt small estates were acceptable. (Q.49)

45 71.4% of respondents supported the 40 development of housing to meet the needs of local people, (Q50) whilst 35 12% objected to this and 16.6% had 30 no opinion. 25

% When asked whether they were happy 20 with the current level of ‘back-building’ 15 (Q51) 42.5% of people replied ‘don’t

10 know’, possibly inferring that they did not know what the current level is. 5

0 Yes No Don't know

Are you happy with the current level of back building?

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

13. SAFETY IN THE Number of residents who expressed concern about criminal COMMUNITY and anti-social behaviour in Isleham

Questions 54, 57, 58 450 400 Concern was expressed about the 350 lack of police coverage in the 300 250 village, with 61.2% of respondents thinking it is poor. 200 150 Despite the introduction of PCSOs 100 70.5% think that increased police 50 coverage would improve anti- 0 t social behaviour. m ti e s it s Thef li oi da N Other cerned n n Mugging er/Graf Va tt runkenness t co D Li No Villagers’ main worries are; p • Litter/Graffiti – 74.5%

• Vandalism – 61.7%, Which measures would improve crime and anti-social

• Theft – 43%, behaviour? • Noise – 25.7%. 400 350 300

515 residents expressed their opinions 250 about the different measures that 200

could be put in place to deter crime 150 100 and anti-social behaviour, with a residents No. of 50 greater police presence, better 0 consultation between police and local g n le TV ce n o p ice n o l CC se hti cati e Other people and more activities for young e lig u p po r t g p e n ith u w people being the most popular. lice yo n r tio o la nk/drug ed f u ter Po ri s a Better stre ie ns e D it Co Gr ctiv A

14. COMMUNITY Questions 9, 52, 53, 55, 56

Questions 9, 55 and 56 referred to Should Isleham have a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme? Neighbourhood Watch schemes In the past these schemes have been organised; indeed signs are still posted around the

village indicating such areas. A fifth of No opinion respondents believe their home is within a 28% Neighbourhood Watch Area, whilst twice as many say theirs is not. More that a third do not know.

No As two thirds of people thought Isleham 4% Yes should have such a scheme, perhaps the 68% topic needs to be revisited.

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Questions 52 and 53 asked about the need for a ‘Good Neighbour’ scheme in Isleham. About a half indicated that there should be, however of the remainder many expressed the opinion that there was no need for such a scheme because people living in Isleham are already good neighbours. Almost 80% of respondents said they would be willing to There a partake in such a scheme m at least occasionally.

15. PARISH COUNCIL/LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Isleham Parish Council meets on the first How w ell does the Parish Council publicise its decisions? Monday of the month in the village hall. There are eleven parish councillors who serve 350 the village involved in everything from the maintenance of the village hall to hiring out 300 allotments. 250

The questionnaire showed that 23.2% of the 200 village have ever attended a meeting of the 150 Parish Council and only 14.6% have ever attended the Annual Parish Meeting. 100

50 The majority of parishioners (56.4%) felt that the Council publicises its decisions reasonably 0 well, 11.3% very well, 16.2% badly 16.2% Very w ell Reasonably w ell Badly No opinion had no opinion about this.

Question 62

In response to the question concerning how aware your elected representatives are about local concerns and feelings the Parish Council came out fairly well with 27.1% considering them to be fully aware; 40.8% quite aware; only 11.6% considered the Parish Council unaware and 19.2% had no opinion on this.

7.3% felt that the District Council is fully aware of local issues with 34.7% considering them quite aware, 24.1% felt they are not aware and 27.5% had no opinion.

Only 3.7% felt that the County Council are fully aware of local issues while 23.9% think they are quite aware, 32.0% think they are not aware and 33.1% had no opinion.

Contact Details for District and County Councillors:

District Councillor Derrick Beckett [email protected] County Councillor John Powley [email protected] County Councillor James Palmer [email protected]

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

16. SPORTS & SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Questions 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

Isleham Recreation Ground is kept in excellent condition and provides facilities for both football and cricket. Included on the ground is an All-weather pitch that is in constant demand, and which is due to be improved and up-graded in the very near future. There is also a bowling green in the village, with a modern building used by the Bowls Club. Limestone Community Centre, St. Andrew’s Social

Centre and the Recreation ground.

The survey indicated that many residents Which new sports/activities would you attend in Isleham if would be interested in taking part in they were provided? different sports/activities, if they were 160 available, with one hundred people 140 showing an interest in Keep Fit. 120

The Village Hall has two rooms that are 100 used for a variety of activities, for all ages. 80

However, our survey indicated that 60 different activities would also find support. 40 66% of respondents indicated a need for more activities for young people (Q 58), 20 with 11.6% showing interest in a band, 0 t l s rts o sh i 11.8% a young people’s drama club and on udo les ker a her nt J Po tt nn yball i Da oo e Ot Ski n Squ Te adm Keep Fi S 14.3% a creative arts for children (Q 19), B Voll as well as Youth Club facilities.

New clubs and activities H

120

100 Question 20

80 100 people showed interest in a Rambling Club and 82 60 in a Gardening Club. It

40 would seem that these activities, which could be 20 organised by enterprising 0 villagers, would be well W S G R A D C M B Y e r a o C h n a a t ra h u n u re is rd m C m o s a t io e b l ir ic d th t received. r n li u a s D iv C in n b o e it g g c ra a iz C ie m r e C l t a ts n lu u y s b b C fo G lu r ro b c u h p ild re n

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Questions about the building of a new Community Centre were not included in this survey, as villagers have already been given several opportunities to express their opinions about this. However many comments were made about the desirability of such an undertaking, with only two respondents registering their disagreement.

Proposed new Community Centre

17. SHOPS AND SERVICES Questions 37,38,39,40

These questions referred to medical services. Question 37 asked if villagers had difficulty accessing the services. Most people do not; they have access to cars and so experience no difficulties. However to those who cannot use a car this does present a serious problem. 57 people have experienced difficulty in getting to hospital “occasionally or frequently”. In these cases the Dial-a-Ride service or the 3 Rivers Transport Scheme may prove very useful.

• 73% have visited the doctor in the Number of villagers who occasionally or frequently experience difficulty accessing medical services. past twelve months, • 36% have been visited by the

60 District Nurse, 50 • 31% by a Health Visitor, • 8%have a home help, 40 • 43 have been in an ambulance, 30 • 13 commented on maternity care, • 22 on the chiropody service, 20 • 22 have been loaned medical 10 equipment, 0 • 3 people have meals-on-wheels, Hospital Doctor Chemist Chiropodist Optician Dentist Other medical • 8 have seen a Counsellor facility • 29 have used the physiotherapy service.

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

% of respondents who found services to be good or satisfactory.

100 90 80 70 The graph shows the 60 percentage of these 50 40 susers who felt the 30 services were “good 20 10 or satisfactory”. 0 t s e r lp ls e or s en c py r ito nce ee a u is a m h rvi V ip er Doct N ty Care iropody W e h ct h qu s ri ome He rni g iot H C l e on in st ealth Ambul a s l H c l el Di Mate a s Phys n edi Me m ou C of

Loan

The Post Office offers older villagers a valuable service; they are able to leave repeat prescriptions there to be taken to the Doctor’s at Soham. The medicines are then delivered to the Post Office to await collection. Question 40 asked if this service would be appreciated by all ages. 73.4% of respondents indicated they would use this service if it was available. Question 40 asked if this service would be a

1900 - Mill Street, Isleham. The Post Office, left to right, Mr Catton, telegraph boy from Fordham, Post Master Jim Scott & Postman Billy King.

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

18. CHURCH/CHAPEL

Questions 63-66 In total 27% of the respondents consider that they are active members of one of ChurchAttendance the three churches in the village; St 0.12 Andrews (10.6%) High Street Chapel 0.1 (11.3%) and Pound Lane Free Church 0.08 0.06 (5.1%). 0.04 Series1 0.02 Series2 Just 6.7% attend places of worship 0 outside Isleham because their religion or Series3 denomination is not catered for. 1.2% Series4 travel to other places of worship because they have better facilities for children, 0.5% because of access problems in Isleham; 0.2% because of poor local information and 1.4% because the times of services are more suitable.

69.9% of the respondents consider religious groups contribute to community life with just 7.3% who don’t think they do and 22.8% who have no opinion on this. Of these responses 55.5% consider that the religious groups are involved enough in local community affairs; 6.8% think they are not involved enough and 37.7% have no opinion about this.

1899 to 1909 - High St. Baptist Church Mothers’ meeting.

23 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Objective 1: To improve road safety in Isleham Find out who is responsible for setting up the speed watch scheme in the village. Lobby County Council for a 20mph speed limit in Maltings Lane to improve road safety outside the school. Lobby the police to enforce parking restrictions outside the school on Maltings Lane and also on Mill Street at the top of Limestone Close. Lobby County Council to improve signage on the A142 at the roundabout for the bypass for directions to the Carrot Factory. Lobby County Council to replace faulty lighting with environmentally sensitive lighting. Pass complaints about uneven pavements to the County Council and petition to be included in the maintenance programme for the next financial year. Investigate the possibility of a footpath along Waterside Road to the Isleham Marina.

Objective 2: Environment/Footpaths A litter picker is required to monitor the public waste bins emptying them during the week if necessary and collecting blown rubbish and bagging it up for the Monday collection. To improve the recycling service an article will be placed in the Informer asking for comments to be made in writing to the parish clerk who will dialogue with ECDC and Veolia to see how improvements can be made. Dog Waste Bins are a high priority and 8 have now been provided. The PC will look into providing another 6 (+2 free) in the next financial year. A working party is being formed by the County Council to improve the condition of the nature reserve on the Fordham/Isleham Road. Details will be published in the Isleham Informer and on notice boards around the village. Investigate the possibility of revitalising the pond on East Fen Road

Determine areas of concern regarding overhanging branches and overgrown hedges. Use the Informer as a vehicle to gather information Public Footpaths. The ‘Beating the Bounds’ footpath map needs reprinting and supplying to every household in the village Parish Council are responsible for maintaining the clunch walls at the cemetery. Other walls are the responsibility of the property owners although they may approach ECDC for grant funding.

Objective 3: To Improve Communication Several comments were received about the Isleham Informer and these will be passed on to the Informer Team A new suitable location needs to be identified for the notice board which also needs renewing.

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Objective 4: To Consider Improvements to Local Transport

Stagecoach to be approached to see whether anything can be done to improve the bus service. Parish Council to continue to support Dial-a-Ride taking parishioners to Ely for shopping etc on Thursdays Encourage support for the community car scheme through advertisement of the service.

Fenland Flier service could be discontinued in September 2010. The Parish Council need to make representation to CCC about the need for this service and to contact other Parish Councils to establish the need in their area. Encourage parents through the Isleham Informer to contact their MP’s to obtain their support..

Objective 5: To control local development so that the character of Isleham is preserved. Make contact with Cambridgeshire Acre Rural Housing Enabler to establish the need for affordable housing and progress the issue as required. Parish Council to promote the needs of the community when considering planning applications including those which relate to back building.

Objective 6: To Promote Community Safety & Good Neighbourhood Scheme Publicise Neighbourhood Panel meetings. Put crime reports in Isleham Informer Consider re-instating Police surgeries. Approach PCSOs about increased police coverage of the village. Look to revitalise the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in the village. Arrange a public meeting to determine interest. Advertise in the Informer for volunteers to come forward to set up a good neighbour scheme within the village.

Objective 7: Local Government (Parish, District and County Councils) Continue to place meeting notices in prominent sites around the village 3 clear days before any PC meeting. Make sure PC decisions are well publicised either on notice boards or in the Isleham Informer. Encourage the D Cllr & C Cllr to write articles for the Informer to raise awareness of local issues. Include these articles on the village website. Lobby the County Council about including Isleham Marina within the Cambs County Council boundary.

25 Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

Objective 8: To Improve Social and Sporting Activities

ICA (sub-committee of the parish council which has charitable status) to seek funding for the new centre. Fenland Elite Bus will be providing a youth bus for the village on a Wednesday night. The bus will run for a trial period of 3 months at no cost at the Priory, after which the Parish Council will consider the options for continuing with the service. The possibility of a skate park will be considered along with the new community centre.

Requests were made for Non-Church based village events including film shows for families. Volunteers will be sought via the Informer to take this forward. Requests were made for social events for the elderly. As a number already take place these organisations will be contacted to request them to publicise events more prominently. Children’s play facilities to be included in the new Community Centre Project.

Objective 9: To Consider Improvements to Local Services

Prescriptions for the over 60s are available to be collected from the Post Office. A number of residents expressed an interest in this service being extended . The findings from the survey will be passed on to the Post Office for their consideration. Investigate the possibility of adopting the phone box; including finding out the cost of maintaining it and who would be responsible

Objective 10: To Inform Churches of Response to the Survey Community Involvement by the Churches was recognised as important. The results of the consultation will be passed on to the Churches.

Miscellaneous Inform the Parish Council that 42% of the respondents would be willing to pay a little more council tax to fund the extra amenities.

Isleham ParIsh Plan 2009

VILLAGE DIRECTORY Art Group Sally Norrington-Stacey 01638 780023 Book Club Anna Chataway 01638 561005 Brownies Annette May 01638 780934 Busy Bees Mel Jones 01638 780902 Craft Club Hazel Thompson 01638 780633 Cubs Angela Dann 01638 781947 French Conversation Francine [email protected] Gala Committee Fred Preece 01638 780734 Isleham Society Vernon Place 01638 780449 Keep Fit Parris Williams 01638 781663 Line Dancing Andrew Palmer 01354 696063 Ruth Bendall School of Dance Ruth Bendall 01638 780260 Tea & Toast Claire Freeman 07827 234442 W.I. Glenda Preece 01638 780734 Parish Clerk Diane Bayliss 01638 781687 Website Clive Patterson 01638 780669

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Isleham Parish Council and the Parish Plan Steering Committee wish to thank all those who have helped with the creation and implementation of this Plan.

Steering Committee: David Alberry King, Diane Bayliss, Hazel Thompson, Glenda Preece, Pauline Wilkes, Frank Young.

Cambridgeshire Acre: For funding and assistance in developing the plan.

Kind thanks to The Isleham Society for permission to use the photographs

Zoe French: For Artwork on the questionnaire

For further information please contact::

Parish Clerk: Mrs Diane Bayliss 37 Croft Road Isleham Ely Cambs CB7 5QR [email protected]

ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Responsibility/ Resource Monitoring Partners Implications Responsiblity

Objective 1: To Improve Road Safety in Isleham

Find out who is responsible for setting up the Neighbourhood Volunteers Neighbourhood speed watch scheme in the village. High January 2010 Panel; Speed-watch PCSO support Panel/Speed-watch Team Team Lobby County Council for a 20mph speed Cambridgeshire limit in Maltings Lane to improve road safety High January 2010 County Council JFMHI (£1800) Parish Council outside the school. Lobby the police to enforce parking restric- Neighbourhood tions outside the school on Maltings Lane High January 2010 Panel; Police None Parish Council and also on Mill Street at the top of Lime- Community Support stone Close. Officers/Parish Coun- cil Urge County Council to improve signage on Cambridgeshire the A142 at the roundabout for the bypass High Current County Council/ Unknown Parish Council for directions to the carrot Parish Council Factory. Lobby County Council to replace faulty light- Cambridgeshire ing with environmentally sensitive lighting. Low Ongoing County Council/PC None Parish Council

Pass complaints about uneven pavements to Cambridgeshire the County Council and petition to be in- Med From April 2010 County Council/ None Parish Council cluded in the maintenance programme for Parish Council the next financial year. Investigate the possibility of a footpath along Cambridgeshire Waterside Road to the Isleham Marina. Med/High April 2010 County Council/ JFMHI (£1800) Parish Council Parish Council

1 ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Partners Resource Monitoring Implications Responsiblity

Objective 2: Caring for the Environment and Public Footpaths A litter picker is required to monitor the public waste bins emptying them during the week if High April 2010 East Cambridgeshire £780 per annum Parish Council/ necessary and collecting blown rubbish and District Council/Parish Community Litter bagging it up for the Monday collection. Council/Veolia Group

To improve the recycling service an article will East Cambridgeshire be placed in the Informer asking for com- High February 2010 District Council/ Clerks Time Parish Council ments to be made in writing to the parish (Informer) Veolia/Parish Council clerk who will dialogue with ECDC and Veolia to see how improvements can be made. Parish Council to provide another 6 dog waste East Cambridgeshire bins (+ 2 free ) in the next financial year High April 2010 District Council/Parish £1200—£2400 Parish Council Council

More volunteers are needed to carry out general maintenance work on the Nature Reserve Low Now County Council/Parish Volunteers Parish Council/ on the Isleham Road. Details about this group Council/Working Working Party will be published in the Isleham Informer and Party on the notice boards around the village.

Investigate the possibility of revitalising the Low Spring 2010 County Council/Parish Volunteers Parish Council/ pond on East Fen Road. Council Working Party Determine areas of concern regarding over- Volunteers/Parish hanging branches and overgrown hedges. Med/High Ongoing Parish Council/ Council/Local Tree Parish Council Use the Informer as a vehicle to gather infor- Isleham Informer Surgeons mation

2 ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Partners Resource Monitoring Implications Responsiblity

Objective 2: Caring for the Environment and Public Footpaths ‘Beating the Bounds’ footpath map to be re- £30 IPC printed and supplied to every household in Medium 2009 Isleham Society Volunteers Isleham Society/ the village. Parish Council Contribution from Parish Council Isleham Society Parish Council to continue maintenance of the clunch walls at the cemetery. Other walls are Low Ongoing Parish Council Unknown Parish Council the responsibility of the property owners although they may approach ECDC for grant funding.

Objective 3: To Improve Communication

Consultation responses relating to the Isleham 2010 None Informer to be passed to the Informer team. Low Isleham Informer Parish Council Team Community notice-board to be rplaced and a 2010 £300 more suitable location to be established. High Parish Council

Advert to be placed in the Informer to find a High October 2009 Volunteer/IPC Volunteer/Clerk Clerk/Volunteer volunteer to run the village website.

3 ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Partners Resource Monitoring Implications Responsiblity

Objective 4: To Consider Improvements to Local Transport Stagecoach to be approached to see whether anything can be done to improve Med 2010 Stagecoach/Parish Clerks Time Parish Council the bus service. Council Parish Council to continue to support Dial-a- Ride taking parishioners to Ely for shopping High Current Dial-a-Ride/Parish £300 Parish Council etc on Thursdays Council Encourage support for the community car Med Current Community Car £50 Three Rivers Group scheme through advertisement of the service. Scheme Volunteers Fenland Flier service could be discontinued in September 2010. The Parish Council need to make representation to CCC about the need High April 2010 for Sep- Cambridgeshire Could be high if the Parish Council for this service and to contact other Parish tember Service County Council PC did take on the Councils to establish the need in their area. Isleham Informer service Encourage parents through the Isleham In- former to contact their MP’s to obtain their support.

Objective 5: To control local development so that the character of Isleham is preserved.

Make contact with Cambridgeshire Acre Rural East Cambs District Housing Enabler to establish the need for High 2010 Council; Sanctuary- PC Contribution in Parish Council affordable housing and progress the issue as Hereward Housing/ land or finance. required. Parish Council/ Cambridgeshire Acre Parish Council to promote the needs of the community when considering planning appli- Med Ongoing ECDC/PC None Parish Council cations including those which relate to back building.

4 ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Partners Resource Monitoring Implications Responsiblity

Objective 6: To Promote Community Safety & Good Neighbourhood Scheme

Publicise Neighbourhood Panel meetings. . Police Community High Now Support Workers Clerks Time Parish Council Police Authority/ Parish Council Put crime reports in Isleham Informer High 2010 Parish Council Clerks Time Parish Council

Consider re-instating Police surgeries. Police Community High 2010 Support Workers None Parish Council Police Authority/ Parish Council Approach PCSOs about increased police cov- Police Community erage of the village. High Now Support Workers None Parish Council Police Authority/ Parish Council Look to revitalise the Neighbourhood Watch Police; Neighbour- Scheme in the village. Arrange a public meet- Med/High 2010 hood Panel/ Minimal Parish Council/Police ing to determine interest. Volunteers/Parish Authority Council Advertise in the Informer for volunteers to Volunteers/Parish come forward to set up a good neighbour Med 2010/11 Council None Parish Council scheme within the village.

5 ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Partners Resource Monitoring Implications Responsiblity

Objective 7: Local Government (Parish Council)

Continue to place meeting notices in prominent sites around the village 3 clear days be- High Ongoing PC Clerks Time Clerk/Parish Council fore any PC meeting. Make sure PC decisions are well publicised I either on notice boards or in the Isleham In- High Immediately PC Clerk’s Time None former. -Encourage the DCllr & C Cllr to write articles for the Informer to raise awareness of local High Immediately DC/CCC None Parish Council issues. Include these articles on the village Informer/Website website. Lobby the County Council about including Cambridgeshire Parish Council/ Isleham Marina within the Cambs County Med Ongoing County Council/ Clerks Time Cambridgeshire Council boundary. Parish Council County Council

6 ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Partners Resource Monitoring Implications Responsiblity

Objective 8: To Improve Social and Sporting Activities

ICA (sub-committee of the parish council I which has charitable status) to seek funding High Ongoing CA/Grant Funders/ £2m/Clerks Time ICA/PC/Clerk for the new centre. PC

Fenland Elite Bus will be providing a youth bus for the village on a Wednesday night. The bus will run for a trial period of 3 months Med/High October 2009 Fenland Elite Bus/ £2520 Parish Council at no cost at the Priory, after which the PC (Trial) Parish Council/ will consider the options for continuing with Cambridgeshire the service. County Council The possibility of a skate park will considered along with the new community centre. Low/Med 2011 Grant Sources/Parish Unknown Parish Council Council/ICA Requests were made for Non-Church based 2010 Informer/Volunteers village events including film shows for fami- Med None Residents lies. Volunteers will be sought via the In- former to take this forward. Requests were made for social events 2010 Informer/Local for the elderly. As a number already take Med Interest Groups/ None Local Interest place these the organisations will be Volunteers Groups/Volunteers contacted to request them to publicise events more prominently. Children’s play facilities to be included in the ICA/Grant Funders/ new Community Centre Project. High 2010-11 East Cambridgeshire £75k Parish Council District Council/ Parish Council

7 ISLEHAM PARISH PLAN 2009

What needs to be done & how Priority Action Start Date Partners Resource Monitoring Implications Responsiblity

Objective 9: To Consider Improvements to Local Services Prescriptions for the over 60’s are available to be collected from the Post Office. A number of residents expressed an interest in this ser- Low N/A Post Office Stores None Parish Council vice being extended . The findings from the survey will be passed on to the Post Office for their consideration. Investigate the possibility of adopting the phone box; including finding out the cost of Med/High Immediate BT/PO Uncertain Parish Council maintaining it nd who would be responsible

Objective 10: To Inform Churches of Response to the Survey Community Involvement by the Churches was recognised as important. The results of Med 2010 St Andrews, High None None the consultation will be passed on the Street,, Pound Lane Churches.

Miscellaneous Inform the PC that 42% of the respondents Med 2010 None None Clerk would be willing to pay a little more council tax to fund the extra amenities.