To: Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership
Date: 21st September 2006
Title: Parish Plan Report 1st review
From: Stan Rees - Community Development Worker, Cambridgeshire ACRE
1. Purpose
To update the members on the current state of Parish Plans in Huntingdonshire
2. Background
The Rural, Social and Community Programme (RSCP) is a 2 year project that will run until March 2008 and is funded by DEFRA along with contributions from the county Council, (£2K) District Council (£6K) and Primary Care Trusts (£2K). The RSCP project has now commenced and Stan Rees has been appointed as the Community Development Worker for Huntingdonshire and started work in April 2006.
The Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership has agreed a framework for feeding back views of completed action plans to communities through the Parish Plans process.
The Community Development Worker will not only work closely with the communities but also give an increased resource to the LSP Boards in committing to Parish Planning as a way of understanding local community needs.
There will also be a link through the RSCP to a new worker employed by the Cambridgeshire Association of Local Councils who will provide dedicated support to Parish Councils working towards Quality Status. Together, it is hoped the two workers will compliment each other’s work by supporting communities who become more active through the Parish Planning processes. There is a need to engage more people into the governance of their own communities.
The vision behind this new way of working also supports the Government’s new arrangements for LSPs - “Local Strategic Partnerships: Shaping the Future”. Within the proposals for the new Sustainable Community Strategies, clear pathways have to be developed that link parishes and neighbourhoods in the delivery of an area’s Sustainable Community Strategy.
3. Procedure
3.1 A small Parish Plans group will receive completed Parish Plans. The officers on this group are Claire Keck (HDC), Representative (HPCT) and Stan Rees (ACRE)
3.2 This group will analyse the action plans, contact the relevant officers about actions affecting Huntingdon District Council and co-ordinate the reply to the Parish Council. Any actions that affect other agencies will be forwarded to them for comments.
3.3 The board will receive a short report about each completed plan outlining particular points of interests.
3.4 In the medium term, it is proposed to analyse all completed Parish Plans with a view of determining commonality between the parishes on a whole range of issues, under the headings identified in the action plan.
4. Progress Report on Parish Plans
Stage Names of parishes About to start producing a Parish Woodhurst Plan Sibson-cum-Stibbington Abbotsley In Progress Somersham Folksworth and Washingley Little Paxton Leighton Bromswold Completed Wistow Warboys Sawtry Holywell-cum-Needingworth Gt and Lt Gidding Grafham Farcet Alconbury Abbots Ripton Hilton
5. Huntingdon Local Strategic Executive Committee meeting scheduled for 21st September 2006.
At the above meeting, the sub group wish to bring to your attention the Parish Plans from the following parishes. Please see below for details of these parishes:
• Holywell-cum-Needingworth • Farcet • Wistow • Sawtry • Warboys
Due to the time that has elapsed between when the above parishes completed their parish plans and its subsequent submission to the HSP, ACRE in conjunction with each parish has undertaken to update the action plan to ensure only outstanding issues are brought to your attention. All future parishes completing their plans, with the exception of those listed below will be submitted without undertaking the updating process.
It is also planned to bring further Parish Plans to your attention at the HSP meeting scheduled for January/February 2007. Currently, it is proposed the following Parishes will be included. As already indicated these action plans will also be submitted in update form:
• Abbots Ripton • Alconbury • Grafham • Hilton • Gt and Lt Gidding
5.1 A brief summary follows for each parish:
5.1.1 Holywell-cum-Needingworth
Holywell-cum-Needingworth is a pro-active and forward thinking Parish Council and, in fact, was the first Parish Council to achieve Quality Status in Cambridgeshire. This parish completed its Parish Plan in June 2004 and have been steadily bringing to a successful conclusion many of the issues raised in their Parish Plan. For example:
• A baby clinic has been established and is now up and running for an initial 12 months. An outreach worker has visited promoting back to work initiatives.
• A good neighbourhood over 60-watch scheme has been established and is working well with Care Network being involved.
• A wildflower area on the south facing bank of the churchyard has been established.
The latest Action Plan with updated comments in red is attached. During the latest discussions, the council asked that three issues be brought to your attention, with the view, of seeking your support or advice:
• Speeding in Church Street. The local police support changes.
• Car parking within the vicinity of the school. Attendance of traffic warden required.
• Visibility problems at the roundabout at the A1123.
A final point the council wish to make was having made various requests to be allowed to be part of the St Ives market town transport strategy and sit on the panel, due to their geographical location. This request was refused. This left the council feeling rejected and disappointed their input was not considered important enough. The council would welcome the HSP’s views or recommendations.
5.1.2 Farcet
This parish completed its Parish Plan in June 2004 and like most of the parishes, under review, they have been working towards implementing their action plan. The latest action plan with updated comments in red is attached. Farcet have achieved three notable successes:
• The implementation by the end of 2006 of a new children’s play equipment area.
• The bulk collection service offered by HDC increased from twice to three times per year (30/40 tonnes collected each time).
• Being part of a pilot scheme for the Neighbourhood Policing Policy has seen a great improvement in crime reduction and anti-social behaviour in the parish.
It was requested one issue be brought to your attention. This being the second phase of traffic calming along the main street. The council feel this additional work must provide a solution to the speeding problem. Recognition cameras as part of the scheme have been requested.
5.1.3 Wistow
Wistow completed their Parish Plan in August 2005. Since which, steady progress has been made in implementing/providing a solution to many of the concerns raised by the residents. For example:
• All pavements throughout the village have been re-surfaced and drop- kerbs will be installed in due course.
• A good neighbourhood over 60-watch scheme has been established and is working well.
The one issue for which they ask for your support is to achieve a successful outcome to the implementation of a speed reducing traffic calming scheme. Discussions have already been undertaken with Cambridgeshire County Council Traffic Engineer. They will also be submitting a request for funding under the joint funded traffic scheme. The Police have confirmed that they are in agreement with the Parish Council that some form of speed reduction would be beneficial. The Parish Plan indicated that 73% of the returns highlighted this issue as the one of greatest concern.
5.1.4 Sawtry
Sawtry are a proactive and forward thinking Parish Council and have achieved Quality Status. This parish completed its Parish Plan in June 2005 and have achieved some outstanding successes namely:
• A comprehensive traffic-calming scheme and speed reduction throughout the village from 40 to 30 mph costing £200,000 is due for completion within the next 2 to 3 months.
• A new fitness centre has been built which provides state of the art facilities for improved health and recreation for all ages. The facility cost in excess of £1 million with substantial grants being made by HDC and the lottery.
The latest update of the action plan with comments in red is attached. During the latest discussions, the Council asked that 2 issues be brought to your attention, with the view of seeking your support.
• It is felt the co-op retail facility in the village is too small and at busy times due to a lack of a car park produces a major parking problem which will be exacerbated when the last phase of the traffic calming scheme is implemented. Land on the edge of the village envelope is available for a new store of a moderate size to be built but this has been repeatedly turned down. This is causing increased frustrations within the local community.
• Due to the way in which Sawtry has been developed over the years it now has a significant number of pathways linking the village, which are unlit. Residents feel uneasy using these pathways at night and it is felt they provide cover for anti social behaviour, drug taking, and burglary. Cambridgeshire County Council has been approached but has failed to respond to this problem. Some additional lighting is considered very important again we seek your support.
5.1.5 Warboys
Warboys again is a pro-active and forward thinking parish council and is well supported by their district and county council councillors. This parish completed its parish plan in April 2004 and has achieved some notable successes namely:
• The lighting at two pedestrian crossings in the high street has been greatly improved. Speeding is a major problem in this area, the improved lighting has increased safety and at the same time, made motorists more aware of the crossings.
• A village directory has been produced for both newcomers and existing residents. The first edition was funded by CCC. A second issue has been produced with adverts (funding) and new residents have made very positive comments on the content.
The latest update on the action plan with comments in red is attached. During the latest discussions the council asked that 2 issues be brought to your attention with a view of seeking your support:
• Excessive speeds throughout the village. This is very well documented in the action plan under ‘highways and footpaths’ with detailed information in red.
• Parishioners frightened because of fear of crime in the village. Again, this is very well documented in the action plan under ‘community safety’ with detailed information in red.
6. Recommendations
The board is asked to note the contents of the report and provide feedback for the parishes including your views, recommendations and highlighting your support where this is felt to be appropriate.