Richards Castle Community-led Plan
(The Parish Plan)
May 2014
2
Final version, 10 May 2014
CottageSY8 4EY
Tel 8316foggy.dew@btinternet.com
Contents
Introduction
-
page 4
Summary of Plan
-
page 5
Content of the Plan (see list below)
-
pages 6 - 41
How the Plan will be made to happen -
page 42 - 43
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Final version, 10 May 2014
Plan item
Scope
Pages
Questionnaire
item number
PARISH COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITY
1. Development Planning
Residential
For local Employment
6 - 8
10 - 11
1-3
3-5
Cooperative working between the Parish Councils and the
Community.
Cooperation between the two Parish Councils.
12 - 15
6-10
Road safety
Highway facilities and upkeep
Paved foot paths
17 - 19
20 - 21
22 - 23
11-13
14
15-16
4. Crime
Prevention, reporting and prosecution
24 - 25
17-19
5. Community Facilities
Publishing of Community news and information
Support for Heritage sites
Development and promotion of local walks
Community use of All Saints Church
Community Map
26
27
28
29
30
20
21-23
24 (part of)
25
24 (part of)
6. Community Services
Fast broadband access
Health & Social Care
Directory of local contacts/organizations
Voluntary assistance within the community
Emergency Services house-finding.
Youth facilities
31
32 - 33
34
35
36
38 - 39
28 (part of), 30
27-28
28 (part of)
29
Youth 1-3
7. Dormant
Community-provided facilities and events
Service levels provided by public utilities
40
41
24 (part of)
28
2. Local Democracy
3. Roads & Paths
16
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
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Final version, 10 May 2014
INTRODUCTION
The Richards Castle Community-led Plan (2013)
This has been created by the community made up of the two adjacent Richards Castle Civil Parishes, one in Herefordshire and the other in Shropshire. It
contains a number of activities intended to benefit the Community and which will be undertaken variously by the Parish Councils and the Community
itself.
These activities have been developed by a small volunteer Steering Group as a response to the wishes of the Community, established by a number of
public meetings and a questionnaire sent to all 220 households in the two parishes. 144 responses to the questionnaire were received and were analysed
by Hereford Council staff. The responses to these questions have been quoted throughout the Plan to justify why it has been formulated in the way it has.
It will be seen that all the issues raised by the questionnaire are included in the Plan, but that some have been categorised as 'dormant' ie not included in
the currently active part of the Plan, because: either no-one has volunteered to lead the effort to make them happen or because only a minority of the
community is interested in them or because it is impracticable to achieve progress in them at this time. Dormant items may be activated in the future as
and when these impediments are removed.
This document
This document defines the Plan and will be used as a guide for its implementation. It will be owned by the leaders of the Plan items, including the two
Parish Councils who will jointly act as its ultimate custodian. It will be published electronically on the Community web site (currently
www.2shrop.net/richardscastle).
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Final version, 10 May 2014
SUMMARY
Nature of the Plan
This Community-led Plan has been written to satisfy the wishes and opinions of the community formed by both parishes of Richards Castle. These
wishes and opinions were obtained from the responses to a questionnaire answered by 65% of the 220 residences in the community. The work was done
with guidance and financial assistance supplied by the two Parish Councils and Herefordshire and Shropshire Councils.
All the items in the questionnaire are included in the Plan. Some will be pursued by the two Parish Councils acting separately or jointly as appropriate.
Some will be pursued by volunteers from the community. Some have been partly or wholly completed already. The remainder are dormant, where only
a small number of people is interested in them and/or where it is particularly difficult to make them happen, and/or where no volunteers come forward
to run them. These items may be activated in the future when circumstances change.
Each item in the Plan is presented in this document under the headings of Community Opinion followed by The Plan. This has been done to show
clearly how the planned activities reflect the wishes of the community.
Content of the Plan
The part of the Plan to be run by the two Parish Councils deals with:
 Planning consents for a modest amount of new residential building, mainly for young families and older people.
 Three-cornered active co-operation between the community and the two parish councils, in which the community will be offered the means to
influence Parish Council decisions about what happens in the Community.
 Road safety, new footpaths and the upkeep of existing footpaths.
The part of the Plan to be run by the Community deals with:
 Crime prevention/detection, including the rapidly expanding areas of mainly internet-based fraud, scams and identity theft.
 Community Facilities, covering local news and information, support for the Castle, Dovecot and St Bartholomews heritage sites, promotion of
local walks, community use of All Saints Church, and a Community Map to help deliveries and visitors.
 Community Services, covering Fast broadband access, help in accessing Health & Social Care, a Directory of local contacts/organizations, help to
Emergency Services in locating rural houses, and recreational facilities for young people.
Making the Plan happen
The two Parish Councils will act jointly as the ultimate custodians of the Plan and will oversee the finding of volunteers the Community parts of the Plan.
Progress in making the Plan happen will be reported periodically in the Castle News and on a new Community web site.
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Final version, 10 May 2014
CONTENT OF THE PLAN
ITEMS 1-3, PARISH COUNCILS' RESPONSIBILITY
ITEM 1.1
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY OPINION
Many people wish to preserve the rural character of the two parishes.
Rural character is preserved by restricting the vast majority of land use to
agriculture and forestry, placing strict limits on the quantity of new building
for housing or employment, and requiring the design of all new and converted
buildings to be of appropriate scale and appearance, and to use high quality
materials for their construction.
A number of free -text comments were included in returned questionnaires
which indicated a degree of interest in permitting a limited number of new
houses to have occupancy priority for people with local connections.
Q3 Importance of preserving the
rural character of the parishes
Very important
Fairly important
No opinion
Slightly important
Not important
Total respondents
Q1 Additional house-building
There should be no new housing built
There should be some new housing built
but within strict limits
There should be some limit on new house
building
There should be no limit on new house
building
No opinion
Respondents
Number
%
123
14
2
2
0
141 of 144
87%
10%
1%
1%
0%
Number
12
%
8%
95
66%
33
23%
1
1%
2
143 of 144
1%
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Final version, 10 May 2014
The new houses should be a mix of
 affordable homes with occupancy or ownership controlled by a
housing association,
 starter homes, family homes and supported housing for the elderly.
New builds should be encouraged to embody alternative energy sources, and
energy-saving design.
THE PLAN
Number of
responses
64
46%
Starter homes
84
60%
Family homes
84
60%
Executive homes
12
9%
Sheltered housing/housing for older people
42
30%
None of the above
7
5%
No opinion
3
2%
Q2 Types of houses to be built
Affordable houses (for rent or part ownership)
Total respondents
%
139 of 144
Aim
To balance retaining the rural character of the two parishes with their long term sustainability and survival, by ensuring that the Herefordshire and
Shropshire Development Plans for the two Parishes:
 Provide for a limited number of new or converted starter and family homes for local people, especially for young families and the elderly, to be
built in the two locations of Richards Castle Village and Woofferton.
 Restrict other new housing to in-fill in the settlements of Richards Castle Village, Overton and Woofferton,
 Consider on a case-by-case basis the conversion or extension of existing buildings.
 Exclude the building of new executive and/or large residences (5 bedrooms or more).
 Require that all associated building and conversion works are designed and implemented in ways which harmonise with the rural character of the
area, and specifically in terms of their scale, quality and appearance.
 Make use of unused or empty properties.
Activity
The two Parish Councils will for the most part work separately with their County Council to ensure that the above Aim is fully reflected in the County
Development Plans. It is recognised that Herefordshire and Shropshire are not in step, either in time or in their approach to handling development issues.
The separate activities will be harmonised through exchange of information and joint meetings where appropriate. However it can already be seen that
the plan for RC (Herefordshire) might logically and sensibly need to involve some development on the Shropshire side of the border, immediately
adjacent to Richards Castle Village, and in Woofferton. Any such cross-border element of the Plan will need to be separately negotiated with the
Shropshire Council through the Richards Castle (Shropshire) Parish Council. This is because the Counties are only legally empowered to determine what
goes on within their own boundaries.
Final version, 10 May 2014
8
Activity by the Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council. Herefordshire Council are in the process of finalising their Core Strategy - a key
part of their Local Plan, which shapes future development in the county and sets the overall strategic planning framework. It sets a clear vision, closely
aligned with the Herefordshire Sustainable Community Strategy (June 2010), for how the county should look and function and how development needs
will be met up to 2031. The Core Strategy is intended to be fleshed out at local parish and town level by Neighbourhood Plans. These are produced by
Parish and Town Councils and are subject to approval by an independent planning expert, and by the affected communities. Once approved they have
force of law. The Parish Council is already cooperating with Orleton Parish Council to formulate a joint Neighbourhood Plan which is acceptable to both
these parishes. This activity has been started earlier in 2013 and will take at least a year to complete. It will cover all aspects of the above Aim. The cost to
the Parish Council is currently estimated to be in the order of £500.
Activity by the Richards Castle (Shropshire) Parish Council. Shropshire have already completed a county-wide consultation with the parish councils
to determine the local detail which would have been decided by local Neighbourhood Plans. Item CS5 of this Core Strategy allows affordable housing or
agricultural dwellings that meet local needs, conversions, and small sale employment within the Shropshire Parish Area. The current Strategy does not
specifically provide for any development in the Richards Castle Parish. The Parish Council could seek “Community Cluster” status for Woofferton in
the detailed Site Allocations and Management of Development (SAMDev) Plan. Community Cluster status will allow some new build open-market
housing development to take place as infill or, if appropriate to meet the identified village housing requirements, it could also include specific allocated
sites of five or more houses. Any allocations would be identified by Shropshire Council and included in the SAMDev Plan
In order to satisfy Community opinion, the Parish Council will (if and when appropriate and consistent with the planning policies for Shropshire) consult
with the residents of Woofferton to ask if they wish the area to be included as a “Community Cluster” to permit the sort of limited development
envisaged by out Community plan. If a majority are in favour of this, the application for cluster status can be made at any time before or after the
SAMDev Plan is adopted in late 2014/early 2015.
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ITEM 1.2
DEVELOPMENT FOR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
COMMUNITY OPINION
New enterprises providing employment are welcomed, but should
be limited in numbers, and in their size and scope.
Number
%
There should be no new development
There should be some new development but within strict
limits
40
28%
85
60%
There should be some limit on new development
10
7%
There should be no limit on new development
1
1%
No opinion
6
4%
Q5
Commercial or light industrial development
142
Total respondents
2
Not answered
These small scale enterprises should harmonise with the existing
environment.
Maximum use should be made of redundant agricultural buildings.
Large warehousing/distribution projects were rejected.
Q4. Type of business that suit the
two parishes
Yes
No
No opinion
Agriculture, market gardening
131
0
13
Light Manufacturing
39
33
72
Craft Workshops
Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)
85
6
53
47
17
80
Retail
22
41
81
Tourism
61
13
70
Catering
43
19
83
Distribution/Warehousing
4
65
75
Final version, 10 May 2014
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THE PLAN
Aim
To balance the retention of the rural character of the two parishes against their long term sustainability and survival by ensuring that the Herefordshire
and Shropshire Development Plans for the two Parishes:
 Permit a limited number of new or converted premises for small-scale business which do not impact on the rural character or the residential
amenity in the area.
 Exclude change to the existing agricultural pattern of land use
 Exclude premises used for large or medium scale warehousing and non-farming wholesale/retail distribution on any scale, on the grounds that
these would have an excessive impact on the rural character of the two parishes and of the residential amenity therein.
 Require that all associated building and conversion works are designed and implemented in ways which harmonise with the rural character of the
area, and specifically in terms of their scale, quality and appearance.
Activity
Commercial development/changes of land use will be dealt with by the Parish Councils through the Neighbourhood Plan in the Herefordshire parish, and
by the Cluster application in the Shropshire parish. This means that Items 1.1 and 1.2 will be conducted separately within each Parish, but harmonised
across both Parishes, using the procedures produced by Item 2.2.
The two resulting Development Plans will define the locations where new small-scale enterprises may be permitted, for the specific types of enterprise
identified opposite.
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Final version, 10 May 2014
ITEM 2.1 COOPERATION BETWEEN THE PARISH COUNCILS & THE COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY OPINION
The response to Question 6 indicates that only 30% thought that their Parish Council represented their interests well, whilst 30% thought less well of
them and the remainder did not know either way. The distribution of opinion was similar for both parishes.
Q6
Do you think your parish
council represents your
interests well?
Very well
Fairly well
Poorly
Don’t know
Richards’s Castle, Herefordshire
Number out
Percentage
of 93
30
32%
35
38%
5
5%
23
25%
Richard’s Castle, Shropshire
Number out
Percentage
of 89
21
24%
40
45%
4
4%
24
27%
This suggests that the Parish Councils need to take the initiative in engaging with the community over local community business. Nevertheless, a
majority (nearly 70%) wish to engage with local government business. Nearly all wish to be kept informed. The response to Question 8 indicates a
need for 2-way communication. The response to Question 30 indicates that more than half of the properties in the two Parishes have, or will have,
internet access, which will facilitate communication.
Q8 Parish Council and
Local Government
business, do you want to:
Be consulted on local
government issues?
Have a simple way to raise
a matter to the Parish
Council?
Have ready access to your
County Councillors?
Yes
No
Total
98 of
144
8
125
123 of
144
0
129
99 of
144
1
118
46
Number as
%
of 144
32%
A periodic report to the Community
44
31%
Via the Castle News Magazine
120
84%
Via a Community presentation
17
12%
Via a Website
55
38%
Via E-mail
29
20%
On notice boards
29
20%
Q9 How would you want to be
informed about Parish Council and
Local Government business?
Minutes of the Parish Council meetings
Number
out of 144
In the example of engagement provided by the Community-led Plan, only a minority wished to be directly involved in the making of the Plan, but a clear
majority wished to be kept informed about how the Plan will be made to happen:
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Final version, 10 May 2014
Q10.1 Do you wish to be involved in
the development of the Communityled Plan?
Yes
No
Number from
113
%
27
86
24%
76%
Q10.2 Do you wish to be kept
informed about the Plan’s
implementation?
Yes
No
Number of
responses
%
119
17
88%
13%
THE PLAN
At the time when the Questionnaire was administered, no-one understood that the Localism Bill would result in provision for the delivery of social care
services to rural parishes to be partly devolved from the County Councils to the councils of local Market Towns or even direct to the parishes. The
devolution includes administration of grants to enable the elderly and/or infirm to remain living within their communities. This trend in putting real
responsibility on the parish level gives rise to a unprecedented need for a practical and prompt means for the community to express its will in such
matters.
Aims
The primary aim is to provide the opportunity for the Community to take an active part in local government business. This will be mainly, but not
exclusively, at the Parish Council level. The enabling aims are about the enabling and use of two-way communication between the Parish Councils and
the Community:
 To encourage the Parish Councils to keep the Community informed about the business and to involve the community in decision-making
where appropriate.
 To provide the communication media for dialogue between the Community, Parish Councils and Ward Councillors.
These communication-related aims are similar to those for the communication needs of other Plan items, namely: Cooperative working of the two Parish
Councils (item 2.2), and the publishing of permanent and ephemeral information about Community news and events (item 5.1), Heritage sites (item
5.2), Local walking activities (5.3), Use of All Saints' facilities (item 5.4), Community Map (item 5.5), Youth related events (item 6.5), and the
Dormant items (Item 7) for a local Skills Directory and use of allotments, The aims are also compatible with the communication needs of other groups in
the community eg Village Hall committee, Parish Church Council, clubs, societies and organized activities.
The media for 2 way communication will be made to serve all these needs.
Activity
The Parish Councils will institute a permanent Meeting Agenda item to review the opportunities for involving the Community in Parish Council business.
They will make use of the following two-way communications with the Community:
 For prompt communication (in days): an interactive community web site, backed by Email, telephone and possibly social networks (eg
Twitter, Facebook). Means will be found to link-in residents who are not internet users.
 For slower communication (in weeks): The web site, Castle News and Parish Noticeboards at the settlements of Richards Castle village,
Overton and Woofferton.
Final version, 10 May 2014
14
The approach also provides an option for electronic publishing of the Castle News on the website. This could reduce printing and delivery costs, besides
permitting the use of colour, graphics and photographs. It does not imply cessation of the delivered paper copy. Existing usage of the Castle News and
Noticeboards will be retained.
People will be found to take the following roles, accepting that one person may fulfil more than one role:
Communications Officer (one in each Parish Council, of which one will lead)
 Assist the Chairman to communicate with their community, including editorial control of incoming communications from the community.
 Identify Parish Councils' and others' requirements for 2-way communication with the community, including those of non Parish Council
groups wishing to use the web site.
 Appoint a web site manager (see below).
 With the web site manager develop a specification for the web site's initial and definite near-term functions and facilities which will meet the
identified communications needs.
 Supervise its implementation and test and publicise its start up.
 Authorise specific user privileges, including any community groups which wish to implement and maintain their own web pages.
Website manager
 Implement the initial version of the web site on behalf of the two parish councils, including
o Obtaining the web site domain name and arrange the host server.
o Creating and testing the initial version of the website
o Writing a user help section on the home page, if this is found to be appropriate.
 Agree with both Parish Councils all later modifications/enhancements, and all payments for site upkeep.
 Advise on Data Protection issues and procedures.
Web page maintainers
 Maintain web site pages not used by the Parish Councils.
 Provide editorial control of any incoming communications from community groups wishing to use website facilities
Programme and money
The two parish Councils will, subject to the acceptability of actual costs , will consider contributing equally towards the provision of the website. The
elements of cost include


Initial costs covering registration of website domain name, and design and implementation of the initial version (specification at Appendix
below).
Running costs covering annual rental of server capacity, and any site modification or enhancement related to Parish Council business.
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Final version, 10 May 2014
The initial costs will be met from existing funds, and allowable running costs will be provided for at the next occasion of setting the Parish Precepts, and
will be reviewed annually thereafter. Costs of other web-site modifications or enhancements will be covered by the parties commissioning the work. The
cost of noticeboards at Richards Castle Village, Overton and Woofferton will be met by the respective Parish Councils. The initial version of the website
could be live within 3-6 months of the acceptance of the Plan by the Community in late Spring 2014.
------------------------------------Appendix to Item 2.1 - Web site outline Functional Specification (v1, 20 Nov 2012)
The web site is to enable
 Authorised individuals to use a Content Management System to
o edit existing defined web pages
o upload text and graphical information onto defined web pages.
o create new web pages using text and graphics
o create links to other web sites
 Uncontrolled and pass-word controlled access to pages.
 Uncontrolled use of links to other web-sites
 User-requested download of permitted
o web pages.
o text/graphic documents
 Any user (individual or group) to request an authorised human editor to place information or requests on a defined web page.
 Alerting of defined lists of users to urgent new content, by means of semi-automated text and/or voice-text and/or email messages.
 Automated site management, including
o Monitoring of the usage of the various website pages and facilities.
o Recording of who put what onto which web page and when.
For initial planning purposes, the user community may be taken as comprising
 20 different groups each working through a single person
 250 individual user address
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Final version, 10 May 2014
ITEM 2.2
CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO PARISH COUNCILS
COMMUNITY OPINION
The response to Question 7 shows a community wish that the two Parish
Councils should act together when this will benefit the whole community.
Examples of the need for such cooperation include:
 Implementation of the Localism Bill (Item 2.2) and Neighbourhood
Plans (Items 1.1 and 1.2) across the two parishes.
 Cooperation in assisting or initiating or monitoring of wholecommunity action, event or project arising from CLP or its later
evolved versions (including Cooperation with the Community in
Item 2.1
 Joint response to planning applications near to the common parish
boundary
Q7 Although legally we are unable
to create a single Parish Council for
Richards Castle, how would you
like to see the Parish Councils
function on your behalf?
Number
from 143
%
Acting jointly
76
53%
Acting separately
7
5%
More coordinated action
49
34%
No opinion
11
8%
THE PLAN
Aims
To implement an effective mode of cooperation between the two Parish Councils for dealing with issues which need joint action.
Activity and Programme
 Progressively develop a list of the types of issues and tasks which will benefit from cooperation.
 Identify efficient ways of achieving the cooperation, which could include
o Joint Parish Council meetings (additional to the existing annual joint meeting).
o Joint parish meetings.
o Consultation between the two Chairmen and/or other Parish Council members.
o Joint consultation of both parishes on issues or requests for information or opinion.
 Publish the findings to the community
 Implement the process on an as-required basis.
The work could be completed in 2014, coordinated with Plan Item 2.1 so that the procedures for cooperation are published simultaneously with the
procedures for Parish Council communication with the Community.
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Final version, 10 May 2014
ITEM 3.1
ROAD SAFETY
COMMUNITY OPINION
The Community was nearly unanimous about the existence of the following traffic hazard spots (and a minority sought speed restriction in Overton and
on the B4362 from Richards Castle Village Hall to Moor Park School main entrance):
Q11.1 Do you think there
are serious traffic or road
safety problems at the
Salwey Arms junction?
Yes
No
No opinion
No.
from
139
%
122
10
7
88%
7%
5%
Q11.2 Do you think
there are serious traffic
or road safety problems
at Policeman’s Corner?
Yes
No
No opinion
No.
from
139
%
102
34
5
72%
24%
4%
Q11.3 Do you think there
are serious traffic or road
safety problems through
Richard’s Castle village?
Yes
No
No opinion
No. from
139
%
84
27
29
60%
19%
21%
A large minority considered HGV and heavy agricultural traffic on the unclassified roads to cause safety or road-wear problems. This minority has been
listened to because they are almost certainly the ones who live on the unclassified roads and are therefore in a position to see the problems and be
affected by them. The trouble spots identified included:
 Woodhouse Lane and the Goggin
 Park Lane
Q13 Do you think
 Wheatcommon Lane
goods traffic (heavy
Number
%
 All Saints to The Rock and onto the Goggin
vehicles) is a problem
from 139
 Hanway Lane
on the parishes’ lanes?
 Castle Road
42
30%
Yes
 Wyson Lane
61
44%
No
No opinion/ don’t know
36
26%
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Final version, 10 May 2014
ACHIEVEMENT AND PLAN
Achievement
The following speed limits have been imposed on the B4361: 40 mph within Overton, and 30 mph within Richards Castle Village including the village
end of Castle Rd.
Aims & Activity1
Richards Castle (Shropshire) Parish Council to attempt to persuade Shropshire Council Highways Department to improve road safety at
 the Salwey Arms (A49 junction with the B4362)
 Policeman’s Corner (junction on B4361 adjacent to the new caravan park).
and to extend the 40 mph speed limit on the B4361 from Overton to the start of the 30mph limit in Richards Castle Village, or at the very least, to prevent
speeds of greater than 40mph on the bend by All Saints Church. In the current climate of severe funding cuts, this could take quite some to achieve
results. It is noted that Shropshire Council have recently undertaken a survey of the situation at Policemen’s Corner and some action here may be
forthcoming rather sooner.
Evidence of safety issues will need to be obtained in the form of road accident incidents. Accident statistics should be sought from the Highways
Department, reports from the Community, and records from the West Mercia Police, the Fire & Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service. The options
for safety improvement were identified by a majority of Questionnaire respondents as follows:
Q12.1
Options
Roundabout
Traffic lights
Salwey Arms junction
Number
%
74
61%
20
16%
Policeman’s Corner
Number
%
13
15%
40
46%
The roundabout at the Salwey Arms junction, and the Traffic Lights at Policeman's Corner appear to be the least likely to be rejected. Richards Castle
(Herefordshire) Parish Council to use its Speed Indicating Device (SID) to see whether any improvement in speed control has been achieved. If necessary,
Hereford Council to be pressured to implement one of the additional measures
Q12.2
Options
Traffic calming (road narrowing with
priority to one direction)
Traffic lights
Permanent speed camera
1.
Number
%
26
30%
2
1
2%
1%
Recent Department of Transport guidance should be noted which makes it easier for local authorities to introduce limits on rural roads.
Final version, 10 May 2014
Parish Councils to keep the following Community concerns under review2:
 Unclassified roads - restrictions on speed and HGV usage, especially in:
o Wheat Common Lane and Park Lane
o Lanes from All Saints to Rock Cross Roads and on through the Goggin towards Wigmore
 B4361 from Richards Castle Village through to the junction known as Policeman's Corner:
o The Policeman's Corner Junction itself
o Between Village Hall and Moor Park exit: speed restrictions & double white lines on bends.
o Village Hall car park: improved visibility exiting northward towards All Saints Church.
o In Richards Castle Village, the school bus stopping place in Castle Road, 62ust off the B4361 and before Orchard Rise.
o Mantle's Lane junction, safety.
 Safety at A49 / B4361 junction (where improvements have been made following the arrival of the new caravan park).
 Wheatcommon Lane: safety within it and at its junctions at either end with A49 and B4361.
 Park Lane, speed and use by large vehicles.
 A456 Gosford Bridge, speed .
2
The web site could be used as a receptacle for community reporting of problems, issues and incidents
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Final version, 10 May 2014
3.2
ROAD FACILITIES AND UPKEEP - COMMUNITY OPINION AND PLAN
The following issues were raised by minorities in the Community. These are probably indicating problem areas not apparent to the majority of the
Community. Parish Councils will keep these issues under review3
Road signage
Q14.1 Road Signage
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Number
25
87
15
2
9
138
%
18%
63%
11%
1%
7%
Number
%
14
37
16
16
45
128
11%
29%
13%
13%
35%
Minority opinion indicating problem areas

General: Broken markers at edge of road/ditch need to be replaced more frequently. A costeffective solution to this issue needs to be sought from Balfour Beatty for the Hereford side
of the community.

Richards Castle Village: cul-de-sac sign needed at entry to Orchard Rise, and a new
sign for Castle Road placed near Castle Inn. Both these items will be assessed by the
Balfour Beatty (Dec 2013)

Woofferton A49: existing sign at Skewbridge Cottages needs to be re-sited to verge by
Little Chef to avoid obstructing view of traffic emerging onto A49.
Street lighting
Q14.2 Street
Lighting
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
33
Minority opinion, for and against

Do away with street lighting, or at least switch off at midnight.

Improved lighting needed at Springfields, Orchard Rise, Castle Road

Herefordshire Council advised in late 2013 that
o
there are legal impediments to the removal or switching of existing street lights.
o
County funding cuts and a large energy saving programme will effectively prevent
new street lighting being installed in Springfields or Castle Rd.
o
Orchard Rise lighting will be upgraded to the LED type by mid 2014.
The web site could be used as a receptacle for community reporting of problems, issues and incidents
21
Final version, 10 May 2014
Drainage
Q14.3 Drainage
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Number
10
69
28
18
11
136
%
7%
51%
21%
13%
8%
Minority opinion indicating problem areas

General: more frequent maintenance of drains and ditches, especially at Springfields and
Castle Road (noting that this is the responsibility of the relevant landowners).

Persistent flooding: Park Lane, B4361 at Moor Park exit & Mapps Place (private inlet to
the main road culvert needs regular clearing by the landowner, currently Mr Sperry).

Flooding off Overton Rd (Quebbs Cottages to Virginia Cottage).

Run-off onto lane by All Saints.
Road surfaces
Q14.4 Road
Surfaces
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Number
%
3
69
44
17
6
139
2%
50%
32%
12%
4%
Number
13
61
23
11
31
139
%
9%
44%
17%
8%
22%
Minority opinion indicating problem areas

General: repairs on unclassified roads not durable

General: excessive delays in repair of pot-holes.

Richards Castle: Orchard Rise and Castle Rd.

Park Lane, Wheatcommon Lane, Church Lane
Gritting bins
Q14.5 Gritting Bins
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Minority opinion indicating problem areas

General: more needed, stolen ones to be replaced quicker.

Bins needed in Mitnell Lane, Wheatcommon Lane, All Saints, Orchard Rise, Castle
Rd.
22
Final version, 10 May 2014
ITEM 3.3
FOOT-PATHS
COMMUNITY OPINION
This topic generated a very substantial response from the community:
Q15 Do you think there
is a need for additional
paved footpaths in the
parish?
Number
%
Yes
62
43%
No
46
32%
No opinion/ don’t know
35
24%
Total respondents
143
1
Not answered
Q16.3 Access
through stiles /
kissing gates
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Not answered
Q16.1 Footpath
Signage
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Not answered
Number
%
35
76
9
0
21
141
3
25%
54%
6%
0%
15%
Q16.2 Maintenance
of footpath gates &
stiles
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Not answered
Number
%
27
68
13
4
24
136
8
20%
50%
10%
3%
18%
Q16.4 Stile access for
dogs
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
No opinion
Total respondents
Number
%
2
24
22
19
70
137
1%
18%
16%
14%
51%
Number
%
26
79
10
4
20
139
19%
57%
7%
3%
14%
5
The tabulated responses and the many supporting comments show that a paved footpath is desired
 to provide a safe pedestrian route between the Village Hall and All Saints Church (this is reinforced by the reported high speeds of traffic on this
road and especially on the blind bend by the Church - Item 3.1 above).
 in Richards Castle Village from the Rock cross roads into the village.
and that the upkeep of footpaths, gates and stiles needs to be actively monitored.
Final version, 10 May 2014
23
THE PLAN
Aims
Provide a paved footpath for a safe pedestrian route from the Village Hall to All Saints Church, and if needed enough, another along the non-foot-path
section of Castle Road from the Richards Castle Village to the Rock cross roads.
Activity and Programme during 2014
Both Parish Councils to cooperate to gather further evidence for these two areas of need. This will involve opinion-gathering from the affected parts of
the community, and if justified :
 to review feasible routes and costs.
 to attempt to obtain Council funding/agreement for sections on the B4361 (Parish Council to get the 2 projects on the Balfour Beatty list, which
already has a large number of projects queuing for limited annual funding) .
 for routes on private land, to seek landowner agreement and funding
 to commission and oversee the work.
Both Parish Councils to continue to make full use of current oversight procedures and funding to maintain existing footpaths, stiles and gates. The
community to be encouraged to report problems and deficiencies. Remedies to be reported in Parish Council meeting minutes and when appropriate
separately on the community web site. It is noted that the Hereford-side Parish Council is a member of P3 and thus has access to funding for minor
improvements (work through Balfour Beatty).
Costs
No significant costs have been identified.
24
Final version, 10 May 2014
CONTENT OF THE PLAN
ITEMS 4-6, COMMUNITY'S RESPONSIBILITY
ITEM 4
CRIME
COMMUNITY OPINION
The responses to Questionnaire item 17 indicate a majority concern about three types of crime: fly-tipping, theft and vandalism. Although not addressed
by the questionnaire, internet-based and other forms of scam have been added as they are an increasing threat to the community.
Q17.1 Concern about
illegal dumping / fly
tipping
Very concerned
Fairly concerned
Not very concerned
Not concerned at all
No opinion
No from
141
%
31
60
38
5
7
22%
43%
27%
4%
5%
Q17.2 Concern
about burglary / theft
Very concerned
Fairly concerned
Not very concerned
Not concerned at all
No opinion
No. from
141
33
67
34
4
2
%
24%
48%
24%
3%
1%
Q17.3 Concern
about vandalism
Very concerned
Fairly concerned
Not very concerned
Not concerned at all
No opinion
No. from
136
19
43
53
14
7
%
14%
32%
39%
10%
5%
The community appears to be generally content with the contact it has with the local police and is generally aware of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme:
Q19 Do you feel the
community has
enough contact with
the police?
No. from
138
%
Yes
47
34%
No
24
17%
No opinion/ don’t know
67
49%
Q18 Are you aware
of the
Neighbourhood
Watch Scheme?
No. from
143
%
Yes
121
85%
No
22
15%
Final version, 10 May 2014
25
THE PLAN
Aim
To reduce incidents of fly-tipping, burglary/theft and to warn residents about current scams.
Activity and Programme
Volunteers to provide a continuing link between everyone in our two parishes and the community police officer(s) and with the West Mercia
Constabulary. These volunteers to help our community to bring crime problems to the notice of the police, and will act as a channel of information and
advice from the police to the community. These two forms of activity will probably best be treated as extensions to the existing Neighbourhood Watch
scheme.
Volunteers to monitor the emergence of electronic and other scams from information published by the police, relevant internet web sites and other news
sources, and then warn the community through postings on the Community web site and in the Castle News.
Both these activity strands should start as soon as possible.
Money
No significant cost for this activity has been identified.
26
Final version, 10 May 2014
CONTENT OF THE PLAN, PART 1
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
ITEM 5.1
COMMUNITY NEWS & INFORMATION PUBLISHING
COMMUNITY OPINION
There is a very strong preference for the continuing use of the Castle News as the primary medium for conveying community news and information.
There is majority in favour of the use of a Community Web site and the continuing use of Community Noticeboards. Minorities favour the use of local
newspapers, email, and local radio.
Q20 Which of the following would you favour to keep you informed of news and events in
our parish? (Responses are in descending order of preference)
No.
%
The Castle News Magazine
136
94%
Parish website
69
48%
Village notice boards
61
42%
Local newspapers
44
31%
E-mail
29
20%
Local radio
15
10%
THE PLAN
Aim
To provide the media for the making of community news and information available to the whole Community in a timely and affordable manner.
Activity and Programme
The Castle News, Community Web-site (see Item 2.1 above) and Noticeboards will be used jointly as the publishing media. Use of these will be people
already running groups and/or publishing material in the Castle News. No new effort is needed.
27
Final version, 10 May 2014
ITEM 5.2
SUPPORT FOR HERITAGE SITES
COMMUNITY OPINION
A large majority thought that three
heritage sites were very important:
Q21 Do you think heritage
buildings/ sites are important to
the community?
Yes
The Castle at Richards Castle
136
96%
Dovecote at Court Farm
105
74%
St Bartholomew’s Church
137
96%
and a majority of these wished to have access to information about these sites:
Q22 Do you want to see more of the following?
Yes
%
The Castle at Richards Castle historical information
100
75%
Richards Castle Site wildlife information
78
58%
Richards Castle Village historical information
88
66%
86
64%
THE PLAN
St Bartholomew’s historical information
Aims
Support the preservation of the Castle, Dovecot at Court Farm, and St Bartholomew’s Church and publish historical information about these three plus All
Saints Church.
Results achieved
Consolidation and opening up of the Castle site has been completed using Natural England funding. Story boards have been provided describing the site,
giving its history and showing the walking route around the site. The continuing upkeep of the site has secure annual funding from English Heritage. The
upkeep of St Bartholomew's Church is securely in the hands of the Church Commissioners, and pamphlets describing the building and its history are
available in the church (to be confirmed).
Activity & Programme
One or more volunteers to work with the owner to investigate and help procure the funding needed for the immediate and continuing upkeep of the
Dovecot, and to research and publish its history in the form of a pamphlet. Volunteers to be found.
Programme and Money
Volunteers to be found by end 2013. Funding and historical work to be completed by end 2014.
28
Final version, 10 May 2014
ITEM 5.3
INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL WALKING
COMMUNITY OPINION
There was considerable interest in having access to information about local walks:
Number
%
A circular walk for Richards Castle using existing public footpaths
82
83%
A circular walking guide for Richards Castle to include historical and local amenities information
83
84%
A walk around the parish of Richards Castle
64
65%
A walk including Woofferton
43
43%
A walk including Overton
52
53%
Q 23
Would you like leaflets to guide you around the following?
THE PLAN
Aims
Develop and promote circular walks using existing rights of way or permissions for access, covering:
 The environs of Richards Castle village,
 Richards Castle heritage locations (Plan Item 5.2 above)
 Around the whole area covered by both the Parishes
Activity
Volunteers
 Investigate any footpath or walking initiatives being taken by either County Council.
 Research possible routes
 Document them using simple maps and notes.
 Consider providing one or more public Community Walks Maps, similar to that at the Orleton Village Hall.
Programme and Money
Costs and funding sources to be identified.
29
Final version, 10 May 2014
ITEM 5.4
COMMUNITY USE OF ALL SAINTS
COMMUNITY OPINION
The Community showed considerable interest in using All Saints Church for a variety of utilitarian and recreational purposes :
Q25
If All Saints Church became available for additional uses which activities or services would you attend or
support?
Number
Number
%
%
from 131
from 131
80
61%
27
21%
Local permanent history displays
Newspapers retail
Musical Concerts
95
73%
Bread/ Milk retail
24
18%
Lectures
49
37%
Skittle Alley
15
11%
Fetes
45
34%
Exhibitions
76
58%
Garden/Seating
17
13%
IT workshop
18
14%
CURRENT SITUATION AND PLAN
The use of the Church is governed by Church of England regulations, by its Grade 1 Listing, by additional strictures arising from it having been
designed by Norman Shaw, by its very specific type of insurance policy, and not least by the feelings of appropriateness of its worship community. Only
the Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the legal power to authorise non-ecclesiastical activities on the church premises, but it is favourably disposed to
new uses which benefit the community without violating the existing constraints.
So far the PCC has agreed to:1. A local rock band using the church for rehearsals
2. A series of concerts of mixed music
3. Individual concerts of singers or other entertainers
4. Use to host any village event requiring space/ refreshments/ car parking
The PCC is actively pursuing the possibility of housing any or all of the artefacts and information held by RC Local History Group, specifically a place
for free standing glass display cases and a place for relevant information leaflets, and hopes that the church will become a starting point for the Village
Walk scheme, allowing car parking and a place to meet or regroup
There is no need for a further planned activity, as the PCC may be approached at any time with proposals for further uses of the All Saints' Church..
Final version, 10 May 2014
5.5
30
COMMUNITY MAP
COMMUNITY OPINION
The response to Question 24 showed strong minority support for the provision of a village map which would help delivery drivers to locate properties
within the two parishes. Such a map would serve properties outside the main settlements of Richards Castle Village, Overton and Woofferton, and it is
thus argued that the minority support should be given more weight.
THE PLAN
Aim
To assist delivery drivers locate properties within the two parishes. There may be some synergy with Item 6. below (Emergency Services' House-finding).
Activity
 Obtain a post code map of the two parishes, showing the boundaries of the post codes and the names of roads and lanes (see costs below).
 Place an electronic copy on the village web site.
 Print four copies of the map at a scale of no smaller than 1:12000 (about 6 inches to the mile) and have them laminated, three for use and one
spare.
 Provide a notice board for each to be mounted upon.
 Find suitable locations for the maps at Richards Castle Village, Woofferton and Overton and place them there.
 Retain the 4th copy as a replacement in case of theft or damage to the three placed out in the community.
Programme and money
By Christmas 2013:
 Volunteer to be found by end of 2013.
 Volunteer to ascertain costs of maps and their mounting at the three locations.
 Parish Councils to decide jointly who will pay for what.
 By Easter 2014: maps to be in place.
31
Final version, 10 May 2014
CONTENT OF THE PLAN, PART 2
COMMUNITY SERVICES
6 .1
BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS
COMMUNITY OPINION
The responses to Questions 30 and 36.6 showed that nearly half of the whole Community agreed that
 a fast broadband service is needed (Question 24).
 the existing internet access performance is less than good (Question 31.6).
 they use, or intend to use, internet access (Question 30)
These results indicate that an improved broadband performance is desired throughout the Community.
THE PLAN
Aim
Provide adequate broadband internet access throughout the geographical extent of the Community. Adequacy is defined as a consistent download speed of
2 Mbps, which is fast enough for uninterrupted video and audio streaming.
Current situation
Under National Government sponsored initiatives, up to 90 per cent of homes and businesses in Herefordshire and Shropshire should have access to fibreoptic broadband by the end of 2016. This service will, by 2018, provide a minimum download speed of 24 Mbps, with the majority enjoying 30- 80
Mbps. Small businesses will also have access to speeds of up to 330Mbps through BT’s Fibre on Demand service already available. The remaining 10% ,
including homes and businesses that are hard to reach with optical fibre, will be connected using alternative broadband technology providing a minimum
of 2Mbps by the end of 2016. Subscription prices are not yet known.
No volunteer activity is necessary. The up-to-date situation in Herefordshire can be found at www.herefordshire.gov.uk › Business support, and in
Shropshire at www.connectingshropshire.co.uk. Anybody needing advice can try Mike Saunders (foggy.dew@btinternet.com, or telephone 831640).
32
Final version, 10 May 2014
6.2
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
COMMUNITY OPINION
The response to Question 26 showed that there was, at the time, only a very small number of people who had recently experienced problems in accessing
healthcare services. There were similarly a low numbers of responses too Question 27 about difficulty in accessing social care services, and to part of
Question 28 which dealt with the desire to use other forms of social care.
Q27 Care services - for carers, the
elderly, chronically ill, disabled,
pregnant, having children at home
Care in the home
Meals on wheels (was in Question 26)
Rehabilitation care
Help with statutory
allowances/benefits
Equipment to help the disabled or
infirm
Transport to and from home
Numbers
wishing the
services
2
1
Specific problems
Q26 Access to Health
services
GP doctor or nurse
Dental
3
Parking, Macmillan-Renton
unit at Hereford Hospital
Q28 (part of) Would you use any of the
following services if they became available
?
Numbers
with
problems
1
8
Hospital
3
Emergency services
1
Pharmacy
1
Number s who would
use services
Respite care for carers
5
Daytime child care
8
Comments
Difficult to get NHS
service
Transport to be a
problem
But see Plan Item
6.4
Specific problems
Toddler/play groups
All these Question need to be answered, and not relegated to the Dormant part of the Plan, because only small numbers of positive responses care are
expected in a small community like Richards Castle, but the needs they indicate are real and should be met as far as practicable.
One respondent suggested that there should be trained medical first responders in the community, equipped with a defibrillator.
Final version, 10 May 2014
33
THE PLAN
Aims
To facilitate the provision of health and social care services to those who need them.
Current Situation
There are a range of information sources about health and social care in our two counties, and in neighbouring Worcestershire (which is now a source of
health care services). These will also be used to populate the Directory (Plan Item 6.3 below).
A defibrillator is located at the Village Hall. Arrangements for its use are published in the Castle News and on the Community Web-site.
Activity and programme
One or more volunteers provide advice, and possibly advocacy, which will help community members identify and gain access to health and social
services. This will need to be set up and operated in collaboration with some or all of the contacts listed below and could be functioning by Spring 2014.
The service will make full use of the Directory (Plan Item 6.3) and will feed information into it.
County Council and other sources of information
 www.gov.uk, Hereford and Shropshire council web sites.
 Social Services (Hereford): Amy Pitt (Tel: 01432 344344 ext 3800; email: apitt@herefordshire.gov.uk)
 Hereford Council Social Services Local Access Points (via tel 01432 364050).
 Health Care (Hereford) : Herefordshire Council and Wye Valley NHS Trust.
 Social Services (Shropshire):
 Health Care (Shropshire): Shropshire Council and NHS Trust
 Health Care (Worcestershire): ???????
 Red Cross village warden for Richards Castle, NALC, HALC and SALC,
 Hereford Council Sign-posting Team (Fran Warden, tel: 01432 383825) for details of nearly 60 service providers throughout Herefordshire.
 Information shops in Leominster (and Ludlow?)
Money
No costs have been identified other than travel expenses. These will have to be funded by a channel yet to be identified.
34
Final version, 10 May 2014
6.3
DIRECTORY OF LOCAL CONTACTS/ORGANIZATIONS
COMMUNITY OPINION
There was reckonable support for the provision of a directory of locally
provided services (See Plan Item 6.4 below) , broadly but not exclusively, for
health & social care.
Q28 (part of) Would you use any of the
following services if they became available ?
Directory of local contacts/organisations
Number s who
would use services
71
THE PLAN
Aims
Make available an up-to-date directory of services and responsible persons relevant to Health & Social Care, local government and our own Community,
including those provided by the public, voluntary and private sectors. The precise scope and extent of its content remains to be defined. The people
routinely listed on page 2 of the Castle News will be included.
Activity and Programme
Decide the scope and investigate sources of information by Spring 2014.
Decide how to present and index the information to make use of the Directory as simple as possible, then create an initial version and publish it for trial
(eg on the Community web site) by Spring 2014.
Set up the arrangements to develop the Directory and keep it up to date, by Summer 2014.
Information sources to be tapped or linked with
All sources used by Plan Item 6.3 above.
Costs
No specific costs have been identified so far.
35
Final version, 10 May 2014
6.4
VOLUNTARY ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY OPINION
A reckonable minority responded positively to the question of communityprovided voluntary assistance (Question 28). These are judged to represent a
significant proportion of the older part of the Community and those who need
help by reason of infirmity or illness. These needs are similarly real and need
to be addressed.
Q28 (part of) Would you use any of
the following services if they became
available ?
Number s who
would use services
Assistance in adverse weather
39
Voluntary help network
22
THE PLAN
Aim
To enable the Community to come to the aid of those of its members who are in need of practical help.
Activity and Programme
Volunteers to propose an organization by Spring 2014 which will
 Enable those in need to ask for help in adverse weather, or for other assistance not readily available from statutory or other sources
 Identify volunteers who can provide the help and connect them with those in need.
Volunteers to set up the organization by Summer 2014 and run it thereafter.
Contacts
Red Cross Village Warden for Richards Castle.
Money
Costs and funding sources to be identified.
Specific problems
Non-urgent daytime help
36
Final version, 10 May 2014
6.5
LOCATION OF RURAL PROPERTIES BY THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
COMMUNITY OPINION
The Emergency Services have stated that when called out to rural locations or properties, they are often slow to arrive because they cannot locate the
locations or properties quickly enough. The community was asked whether it would be willing to help assemble an information base which would help
eliminate this problem. The responses were heavily in favour:
Q29
Scope of help sought
Provide your address details?
Affirmative responses
Number
%
115
90%
Identify rural lanes and tracks?
95
79%
Provide grid references for rural areas?
78
67%
THE PLAN
Aims
Help improve the emergency services response times for locations in the rural parts of the Community, by supplying location data for properties and
named roads by post code area. Location of specific addresses to be included only when the owners give permission.
Activities
 Find a volunteer coordinator for this task by end 2013.
 Identify appropriate and up-to-date points of contact in fire, ambulance and police authorities with whom to work, and establish the precise
content and form of data to be supplied, including specification of those post codes which do not need further location data - by Easter 2014, and
the form of data useful to satnav users. Make use of the post code map obtained in Plan Item 5.5 Community Map.
 Decide how to collect the required data - probably by advertising the need to the community, and providing a mechanism for data to be supplied,
and then collect it - by Autumn 2014. Alternatively, it may be possible to seek the data direct from the Royal Mail who are known to use this sort
of data.
 Process the collected data, dealing with any known gaps if possible, supply it to the three emergency services and inform the two parishes that the
task has been completed. This task will probably need further help from suitable volunteers.
Costs and funding
Costs are probably limited to the costs of data collection (eg postage) and any travel to visit emergency services' offices. Funding to be obtained from
Parish Councils.
37
Final version, 10 May 2014
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38
Final version, 10 May 2014
6.6
YOUTH
COMMUNITY OPINION
The 15 young people who answered the Youth part of the Questionnaire suggested that
there were not more than two dozen young people of school age or below in the
Community, and that these had a wide range of leisure interests (Question 2):
They expressed a spread of interest in community-provided recreation/sport facilities
(Question 3):
Q3 What sport and recreational facilities
would you like to have in our parishes?
Number
Q2 What do you do in your spare time?
Number
Spend time with friends
13
Play computer games and use Internet
13
Watch TV
14
Go to a cinema
9
Take part in sports
9
Ride bicycle
10
Member of a club
7
Church activities
3
Safe playground
9
Drama
5
Safe cycle routes
6
Horse riding
2
Youth Club
4
Dance
1
Sports pitch
4
Play a musical instrument
2
Total respondents
14
Swimming
9
Shopping
10
Walking
12
Total respondents
15
There was a suggestion that some form of after-school club would be welcomed which
would enable young people to get to know each other.
The minority Youth element of the Community should be catered for as far as proves to be practicable.
Final version, 10 May 2014
39
THE PLAN
Aim
To provide safe local recreational facilities for young people in the age range 5-18.
Current situation
Moor Park School (Overton) offers organised groups from the Community the opportunity to use its sports facilities during the school holidays. These
include astro-turf pitches for cricket and soccer, outdoor tennis courts and indoor squash courts. Arrangements are made in advance through the
Headmaster. Other facilities comprise the Castle as a play area, the Village Hall, the Youth Centre in Ludlow, and possibly the sports/recreational
facilities at Orleton School.
Activity and Programme
Volunteers test the actual demand for recreational/sport groups and then organise and run them to take advantage of the foregoing possibilities. The 2011
Census may give some indication of the likely numbers of young people within the Community, and the likely distribution by age over the next year or
so. .
County Council contacts
The County Councils can provide experienced youth workers who will provide advice, and possibly assistance:
 Hereford Council: Will Edwards (email address will@herefordshirecvys.org.uk, telephone number 01432 277822).
 Shropshire Council: Dee.ploszay@shropshire.gov.uk,, and di.phillips@shropshire.gov.uk to
Money
No specific costs have been identified so far.
40
Final version, 10 May 2014
CONTENT OF THE PLAN, PART 3
DORMANT ITEMS (ITEM 7)
Dormant items tabulated below are those not included in the active part of the Plan, mainly because an insufficient number of people in the community
showed interest in them. There is no reason why any of these could not be activated by members of the Community who are willing to undertake them.
Q24 Do you think our parishes
need any of the following?
Number
of
positive
responses
% of total
responses
Village Green
37
31
29%
24%
Playing field
25
19%
Community Directory
22
17%
Insufficient interest.
Cycle paths
18
14%
Insufficient interest.
Community Clean up event
27
21%
Insufficient interest.
Community skills register
31
24%
Insufficient interest.
Community IT centre
12
9%
Insufficient interest.
Allotments
23
18%
Insufficient interest. But land is available off
Wheatcommon Lane for use as allotments.
Playground
Reason for dormancy
No currently available land. But will be considered
for inclusion in the Neighbourhood Plan for
Richards Castle (Herefordshire).
41
Final version, 10 May 2014
The following utility-related items are dormant because a large majority4 in the Community currently consider them presently to be adequate, or in the
case of mobile phone coverage because it is not easy to see how it can be improved in practice.
:
Q31.1 Quality
of electricity
supply
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
Number
87
50
2
1
Q31.2 Quality of
water supply
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
%
61%
35%
1%
1%
Q31.4 Quality of
Telephone service
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
Number
%
78
55
8
0
55%
39%
6%
0%
Number
%
68
49
3
2
49%
35%
2%
1%
Q31.5 Mobile
phone coverage
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
Q31.3
Quality of
waste
collection
Very good
Fairly good
Fairly poor
Very poor
Number
%
17
55
30
22
12%
40%
22%
16%
Herefordshire
Shropshire
Number
%
Number
%
56
18
0
0
76%
24%
0%
0%
36
24
2
1
55%
36%
3%
1%
Members of the Community should inform their Parish Council of any dissatisfactions. The Parish Councils will initiate action as appropriate.
4
The quoted percentages of respondents do not add up to 100% in cases where a proportion of respondents expressed "no opinion".
42
Final version, 10 May 2014
MAKING THE PLAN HAPPEN
Plan items 1-3 (Development, Local Democracy and Roads & Paths) will be undertaken by the two Parish Councils.
Plan items 4-6 (Crime, Community Facilities and Community Services) will be undertaken by the Community.
The work will start in 2014.
A useful minority of 27 people indicated a wish to be involved in making the Plan happen. Each of the items 4-6 will need to be independently run by a
volunteer leader, assisted by volunteer helpers. Parish Councils may need volunteer help in Items 1-3. Leaders requiring funding assistance should seek
advice on how to do this through either Parish Council. A summary of the need for volunteer effort is given in the table below.
Any dormant item Plan Item 7 will be taken up if they can be resourced with volunteers and where necessary with money. New items may be
introduced if they can be similarly resourced.
The Steering Group which formulated the Plan will dissolve itself in May 2014 with the publishing of this Plan. The two Parish Councils will thereafter
act jointly as the custodians of the Plan and will
 Oversee any evolution of the Plan that arises from the Parish Councils' business or from pressure from the community.
 Assist volunteers for any item to make progress.
 Stimulate the formulation of a new Community-led Plan if and when this is seen as beneficial.
A large majority of 119 people wish to be kept informed of the progress of Plan implementation. To satisfy this wish, item leaders (including the Parish
Councils) will report progress periodically on the Community web site and these reports will be collated and included in the Castle News
Final version, 10 May 2014
SUMMARY OF PLAN ITEMS REQUIRING VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN
Plan Items
Nature of volunteer effort needed
PARISH COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITY
1. Development
2. Local Democracy
1.1 Residential.
1.2 Local Employment.
Help Parish Council produce a Neighbourhood Plan
for Richards Castle (Hereford) Parish.
2.1 Cooperative working between the Parish Councils and the
Community.
Implement and run community web site. May yet be
provided by Mr Mark Ingle (IT professional)
Prevention, reporting and prosecution. Includes liaison with
police and community, scam monitoring and warning to
community . Is extension of existing Neighbourhood Watch
scheme.
Largely undertaken at present by Glyn Goodwin as
coordinator of Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
5.2 Support heritage sites
Write/publish a pamphlet on Dovecot and its history.
5.3 Development and promotion of local walks.
Select and document walking routes.
5.5 Community Map
Produce map and publish it. Roly Alden has
alternative signage proposal
Set up and run an advice & advocacy service
Set up and maintain the directory.
Determine information needed and provide it.
Investigate and organise.
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
4. Crime
5. Community Facilities
6. Community Services
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
Facilitation of health & social care services.
Directory of local contacts/organizations.
Emergency Services' house-finding.
Youth recreational services.
7. Dormant
Assistance in adverse weather
Voluntary help network
Daytime child care
Organise assistance
Set up network.
Set up child care arrangements.
43