Parish Appraisal Action Plan

High Bickington Project 2000
Appraisal Action Plan
FINAL UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2007
Action Proposed Action Taken
Q. 5 Unable to move to accommodation needed: HB Project 2000 to discuss issues with Torridge District and Devon County Councils with a view to meeting needs from existing housing stock or the inclusion of suitable facilities in any development of Little Bickington Farm Report issued to Devon County Council and Torridge District Council. Following extensive further consultation, with local residents who need it, Affordable Housing is a major ingredient in the Development at Little Bickington Farm [LBF]
Q. 6 Energy Saving Features: Possible future project to ensure that energy saving schemes such as loft and cavity wall insulation together with schemes such as 'Staying Put' operated by Anchor Housing are fully publicised and maximum take-up achieved. Discussions held with Manager of the Anchor Housing 'Staying Put' scheme. Energy-saving features will be a major component of the Development at LBF.
Q. 9 Reasons why children cannot do after school activities: Refer results for consideration by the Governing Bodies of High Bickington C of E Primary School and Chulmleigh Community College. Report issued to School and Community College. Two 'homework clubs' have been operating, each week at The Meeting Point, that are staffed and funded by HB Primary School and Chulmleigh Community College.
Q. 12 Interest in Vocational / Adult Education / Training Opportunities: Discuss results with Adult Education Personnel at Chulmleigh Community College in order to identify suitable courses and local venues where these educational and training needs can be met. Discussions with Adult Education staff have resulted in a regular series of Computing Courses at the Meeting Point. Future courses will also be designed to take account of subjects raised in the appraisal.
Q's 13, 14 and 15 Need for nursery class and suitability of Primary School Buildings: The issues raised in questions 13, 14 and 15 should be referred for consideration by the Governing Body of High Bickington C of E Primary school, the Diocesan Director of Education and the Director of Education for Devon County council. Discussions have been ongoing with all the relevant parties. A new school, together with a range of community facilities is included in the plans for LBF.
Q's 16 and 17 Additional housing needed / Acceptable housing development: Information to be referred to Torridge District, Devon County and High Bickington Parish Councils. HB. Project 2000 to consider when developing proposals for LBF Report submitted to relevant Councils. A range of suitable housing types is included in the Little Bickington Farm Development proposals.
Q's 18 - 23 Health and Social Services: The results from questions 18 - 23 should be referred to and discussed with local General Practitioners and Primary Care Trusts. Information should also be included in the 'Small Area Review' currently being undertaken. Discussions have been held with local General Practitioners, the Primary Healthcare Trust and the National Blood Donor Service. At present the need for a new Health Centre has not been established but a site for Health related facilities has been set aside, for possible future needs, in the plans for LBF.
Q. 24 Countryside Improvements: Refer to Parish, District and County Councils. HB Project 2000 to consider items for inclusion in any development of LBF. Report sent to relevant Councils. A sub-group of HB Project 2000 undertook a Landscape and Wildlife Assessment and the resulting report has informed Development Plans at LBF which include a Community Woodland.
Q. 25 Dog Mess: Refer to Parish Council for action. Results initially referred to Parish Council for action. Torridge District Council has now brought in fixed penalties. The Parish Council has now installed dog Bins.
Q. 26 Replace overhead wires with underground cables: Discuss with Public Utility Providers and other interested parties. Discussions initiated with Public Utilities and Torridge District Council regarding possible conservation area project for main square will feature in a future phase of the Parish Plan.
Q. 27 Standard of Public Services and Utilities: Results to be referred to appropriate Authorities. Done.
Q's 28 - 30 Environmental / Composting of Garden and household rubbish: Refer to Torridge District and High Bickington Parish Councils. Consider provision of a Community Composting Scheme at LBF. Reports sent to relevant Authorities. Kerbside Recycling collections commenced in August 2002. A kerb-side collection of compostable waste, including cardboard has nor been introduced by TDC
Q. 31 Interest in renewable energy: Further exploration of this issue is required since the use of renewable energy systems will need to be central to and development of land and buildings at LBF Information on various schemes collated. Results from a feasibility study, carried out by 'Devon Renewable Energies', were included in the Parish Plan.Devon Association for Renewable Energy [DARE] commissioned to advise on the forms of energy to be developed at LBF. A feasibility study by RE4D was completed in 2007 and many of its recommendations will be included in the proposed development at LBF
Q's 32 and 33 Use of Village shop, Post Office and Mobile Services: Information to be given to local traders concerned Done.
Q. 34 Support for Farmers /Producers Market: See also the results of the Business Survey. HB. Project 2000 to consider the formation of a working group, together with local producers, to take this matter forward. There was a disappointing response, from local traders, to our attempts to move this issue forward. Possibilities will be revisited at a later date.
Q. 35 Need for a local CAB session: Inform local CAB committee of these views. Meeting with District Development Manager took place early in 2002. It is still hoped that an outreach service might be provided and based in the Parish but as yet there are no proposals on the table.
Q's 36 - 41 Employment Issues: Ensure that the points on current and suggested future employment types is referred to appropriate authorities and taken into account when considering future developments. Also note the high proportion of 'wholly retired' residents in the Parish. Report issued to Local Authorities. Discussion initiated with Adult Education Personnel re training needs. Employment/Business Premises are included as a major part of the LBF Development.
Q. 42 Reaction to Workshops Proposal: Refer to Torridge District and Parish Councils. Note the free text comments about the siting of such developments. Report sent to District and Parish Councils. Strong interest has been expressed, by local craftsmen, in possible workshops at LBF.
Q. 43 Development of Tourism: All interested parties to consider when planning future development opportunities at LBF and throughout the Parish. Further action still required by all parties but the proposed developments at LBF will have links with Tourism built in.
Q. 44 Need for additional recreational space: Take into account when considering possible development of new educational and public buildings. These issues have been dealt with as an integral part of developments at LBF.
Q. 44b Wish to participate in Activities: Take into account when considering the possible development of new and existing Public Facilities. Refer for consideration by appropriate local organisations and Public Authorities. Adult Education is pursuing interest in areas where they may have something to offer - e.g. Art and photography. A local directory of sporting and other activities was produced as part of the Parish Plan and a revised edition was published by the Parish Council in 2005. A further edition is planned for later this year. New Community Facilities will greatly enhance the ability to meet aspirations in this area.
Q. 45 Opinion of Existing Facilities: Refer information received to Owners/Trustees of the facilities concerned. Done.
Q. 46 Need for a new Village Hall and its siting: All parties concerned to agree the appropriate way forward. New Community Facilities, linked with a new school are an integral part of the Development Plans for Little Bickington Farm.
Q's 47 - 49 Environment Questions: Information gained to be taken into account when planning future developments at LBF. Parish Council to note the excellent response to 'Parish Clean Up Day' and make arrangements accordingly. A number of successful 'Parish Clean Up Days' have been held and others will be organised in the future.
Q's 50 - 54 Transport and Highways Questions: Refer this information to the responsible authorities together with 'free text' comments. The relevant Authorities have addressed a number of Transport and Highways issues and others are being dealt with as part of the LBF Development.
Q's 55 and 56: Bus Services and Community Bus: Explore the possibility of providing a Community Bus in the future. We are continuing to pursue the possibility of a local link with the Train Services to Barnstaple and Exeter via the 'Access to Services in Rural Torridge' project.
Q. 57 Village Churches and Clergy: Send information to local Clergy / Church Councils. Done
This action plan was initiated to track progress in implementing the recommendations arising from a Community Appraisal carried out in the autumn of 2001. The majority of issues raised have been either satisfactorily resolved, included in the High Bickington Parish Plan 2003 to 2023, or are being dealt with as part of the planned Development at Little Bickington Farm.
Responsibility for necessary future action has now been passed to the High Bickington Community Property Trust
David Brown
High Bickington Community property Trust
September 2007