|
Issue |
Background |
Action |
Partners |
|
Dissatisfaction with some medical
services
|
Just over a half of respondents who had
used the out of hours doctor service thought it was good.
Only a third using counselling services
rated them good. There was also a minority who rated chiropody and
medical equipment loan poor. |
Communicate these results to
the surgeries in Harrold and Sharnbrook and report back.
Communicate these findings to the appropriate service
providers and request a response. |
Action Group
Harrold Surgery
Sharnbrook Surgery
Service providers
|
|
Dissatisfaction with recycling
services |
Although Bedford Borough Council
provides a kerbside collection of garden waste and other recyclable
items on alternate weeks and there are paper recycling bins at
Pinchmill Lower School, only about half of respondents rated the
service good. Many people thought the roadside collection system
should be extended to cover other recyclable waste. |
Investigate causes of the
dissatisfaction and liaise with Bedford Borough Council to improve the
service. |
Action Group
Bedford Borough Council
|
|
Dissatisfaction with street lighting |
Less than a third of respondents
thought the street lighting in the Parish was good and comments were
received about the inappropriate style of the lights.
However, many thought rural locality
did not justify additional lighting. |
Survey existing lighting and liaise
with the residents who would be affected. If necessary Parish Council
to provide additional lighting where appropriate. |
Action Group
Felmersham & Radwell Parish Council
|
|
Litter bins |
Fewer than a quarter thought the
provision of litter bins in the Parish good. |
Provide more litter bins. |
Action Group
Felmersham & Radwell Parish Council |
|
Dog fouling |
Several comments from Radwell residents
were received on this issue. There are two poop bins in Felmersham
but none in Radwell. |
Increase number of poop bins,
particularly in Radwell.
|
Action Group
Felmersham & Radwell Parish Council |
|
Dissatisfaction with
roadside care/street cleaning and snow clearing/gritting |
Only a third thought these services
were good. |
Parish Council to liaise
with Borough and County Councils on these matters and to publish
outcome. |
Action Group
Felmersham & Radwell Parish Council
Bedford Borough Council
Beds County Council |
| |
Some parishioners maintain a pride in
their villages by taking part in the annual Parish litter pick or by
carrying out their own litter picking and pavement sweeping, hedge
pruning etc., but there remains some areas in a more neglected
condition. When asked “Do you think the Parish should pay for these
issues to be tackled even if it would increase the local council tax
by an average of £2 per household per month”, 179 parishioners said
‘Yes’, 159 said ‘No’ and 57 had no opinion. Many parishioners
thought they already paid for these services in their Council Tax. |
Encourage householders to undertake
this tidy up in the immediate area around their property and take part
in community clean up activities. If all fails the Action group might
feel it necessary to request that the Parish Council impose a levy on
the Parish precept to buy appropriate services to ensure these issues
are addressed.
Consider entering villages in an appropriate “Best Kept Villages”
competition as has been done in the past.
Local school to promote pride in village initiatives with youngsters.
Liaise with Sharnbrook Upper School and
Lincroft Middle School to discourage litter being thrown from passing
school buses. |
Action Group
Parishioners
Pinchmill Lower School
Pinchmill Pre-school
Sharnbrook Upper School
Lincroft Middle School |
|
Perception that police
coverage in the Parish is poor |
Nearly all respondents thought that
police coverage in the Parish was poor. Most people wanted better
consultation and communication between police and locals.
A significant number of respondents
reported having experienced burglary (34), vandalism (68), traffic
problems (86), antisocial behaviour (120) and noisy neighbours (58).
Comments were received that more police
patrols and action in the villages were required and that the
telephone number of Riseley Police Station should be made available. |
Communicate
results to the police authority and draw up action plan with them to
improve the situation.
Seek guidance on correct procedures.
Parishioners should pursue if subjected to these problems. Publicise
help lines and correct procedures.
|
Action Group
Felmersham & Radwell
Parish
Council Community Police Officer
Bedfordshire Police
|
|
Neighbourhood Watch required |
There was a
perception that the Neighbourhood Watch scheme was no longer active in
Felmersham although a large number of respondents thought one was
needed. Felmersham & Radwell Community Care has recently introduced a
‘Home-Watch’ scheme to monitor unattended homes, but this too seemed
unknown. |
Determine status
of schemes.
Publicise the
schemes with names of coordinators.
Publish reports in
Ouse News and website.
|
Action Group
Neighbourhood
Watch co-
ordinators
Felmersham & Radwell
Community Care
Felmersham & Radwell
Parish Council
Community Police Officer
|
|
Need for a shop of some description in the Parish |
When asked, “Do
you think a shop of some description, even if open for limited times,
would be supported?” 267 respondents thought it would, 127 thought it
would not and 31 had no opinion. It should be noted that many
residents commented that although it would be desirable, it would be
unlikely to be commercially viable.
More than half of
the 11-21 age group and two thirds of the 40-49 age group were in
favour. Perhaps, surprisingly, only a third of those aged 60-74 were
in favour. Comments made by younger parishioners suggest an
opportunity to buy snacks would be welcome.
|
Investigate examples of similar enterprises which
have been successful.
Investigate potential funding opportunities,
grants etc.
|
Action Group
East of England Development Agency
|
|
St
Mary’s Church |
Although four in
ten parishioners regarded St Mary’s important as a place of worship,
(average congregation 30) nearly all respondents thought it was
important as a building. It was also deemed to be important for
weddings, baptisms and funerals by three quarters of respondents.
Almost half of
respondents would definitely like to see St Mary’s Church used for
other purposes although a fifth was against this. Suggested uses
were concerts, flower festivals, exhibitions, village hall and a
children’s activity centre.
It was highlighted however that extending the
usage would probably require toilet and washroom facilities. |
Convey results to the Parochial Church Council.
Support schemes to maintain the fabric of the
building.
Support any activity held in the building.
|
Action Group
Parochial Church Council
|
