Report on Burstow Revisited Day – 21^st March 2009

Burstow Revisited Day was held at Centenary Hall, Smallfield during the morning of 21^st March.  We had invited all those who had attended the first Burstow Day two and a half years previously plus others from throughout the community only this time we had not included youngsters as we knew their wishes. The aim of that day had been to

• Gain a general consensus of the Parish for the direction to take in future.


• Raise the profile of the Parish Council and attract more members of the community to become members or work with the Council on working groups.


• Identify the areas that need help – e.g. very few facilities for youths and lack of transport


• Instil a greater feeling of community spirit and show that the parish should work together as a whole.

 In October, every household in the Parish of Burstow had been sent, along with the housing needs survey, a report on how the council and parish had progressed with the wish list after two years and residents were asked to give us feed back, and it is from there the basis of this day was formed.  There were 8 areas which caused the greatest comments and so we set up 8 stations, manned by various groups – from Surrey Community Action, the Police, a youth ‘fun club’ and those wishing to promote different wishes.  The aim was for those attending to visit each station, discuss, debate and question and then decide what priority that wish was in their eyes, high, medium or low.  The stations and the questions were as follows

Pavements in Redehall Road and Plough Road

• Burstow Parish Council would like to lobby Surrey County Highways for the long overdue pavements to become a reality.

Grass Cutting of Verges

• Burstow Parish Council would like to increase the three cuts per annum by lobbying or purchasing extra cuts

Transport to Horley

• Burstow Parish Council would like to look into the feasibility of running a shuttle bus service between Smallfield and Horley Station – starting with survey of need

Affordable Housing

• Burstow Parish Residents have shown that there is a need for affordable housing for local people

Community Swimming Pool

• Burstow Parish Council and Burstow Primary School would like to jointly work together to raise funds for a covered community swimming pool

Community Cafe

• Burstow Parish Council is considering sponsoring a community café for 6 months with a view to establishing a permanent facility

Youth Club

• There is a lot of help, encouragement and finance around for youth clubs.  Burstow Parish Council could help with a project but we need to know its importance to the community

Neighbourhood Watch

• It has been a few years since this subject has been raised locally – so are you interested in a scheme

‘How would you prioritise these?’ And ‘Would you be prepared to help on a working group?’

During the morning, the hall was buzzing with people moving around the hall – many villagers also came in to ‘have a look’ and there were refreshments available to sustain everyone.

At 11.30am all present pulled up a chair and gathered around for an ‘open forum’ which proved to be very interesting and provided lively debate.  The General questions were

How were people selected to be invited? – All those who were invited to the first Burstow Day had invitations as had those who had responded to the report. Others were selected from around the parish to provide a cross section of the community.

Why had there not been an open meeting with all the parishioners? – This would have been impossible to manage, what was required was stakeholders - a sample of the parish. A poll for an election is only from a handful of people, randomly chosen, but this has proved to show how the area as a whole thinks.

How do we go forward?-  As an example after collating the results, the parish will – in the case of the bus service – do a survey to find out if it would be used and if so when.  Work parties will be set up and consultation with the District and County to raise funds.

Had the morning been useful? - The general consensus was that it had!

It was then decided to invite each station to sum up the main points raised by the visitors

Community Cafe

Tracey Forbes had done a wonderful job presenting this station which was very well received and had generated lots of help from those present. Most were for the idea of a trial although a suggestion of 1 year trial was put forward as better than just 6 months.  The trial to be held in the Church Hall was not popular as the venue was considered to be a deterrent and the times of availability.

Broadbridge Lane Open Space Recreation Area (Blossom Corner!) was not felt to be central to the village and it was thought people would not leave the village to go to the Corner for a coffee.

Centenary Hall proved to be the most popular as a) – there were the facilities, Kitchen and loos, b) it was central and c) it was the Village Hall.  It was suggested to hire a Porto cabin and place it adjacent to the kitchen by the wishing well.

Actions needed –

• Find the need (survey)


• Create a business plan


• Find out about planning permission


• Set up working party

Community Swimming Pool

It was a popular idea to rebuild and cover the school pool and by combining forces the School and Council could source funding from all areas.  Ideas for use apart from lessons for pupils would be swimming lessons for all ages, hiring of the facility, parties. The ability to open the cover to make it more ‘lido’ like in hot summer with chairs and tables about etc - It could be used by the community at weekends and during the holidays.  Maintenance appeared to be the greatest stumbling block.  Funds would be required to ensure it was maintained and safe.  It was agreed that this was a long term project.

Actions needed

• Set up working party  consisting of School and Councillors and Parishioners to look into funding


• Business Plan for short and long term


• Find need

Grass Cutting

It was agreed by all that 3 cuts were not enough for the area as the centre of Smallfield was definitely urban. Ideally we should lobby for more cuts and if not possible then to approach Surrey Highways to discuss the purchase of extra cuts.  One person commented that they would like the area to be cleared of the grass after cutting (more frequent cuts would allow mulching) Reigate and Banstead have taken over grass-cutting and the operation in Horley was cited as being very good.  Unfortunately Tandridge have not taken that option up.

Actions needed

• Parish Council with the County Association to communicate with Surrey County Council


• Working group to look into ways that we can improve the area and get more cuts!

Youth Club

This, along with the community café, was the subject that created the greatest debate.  The only people to come forward to offer to start any form of club for the youngsters were Phil Tory and Louise Whiting.  They hoped to start a club for six to eight and a half /nine year olds.  A lot of those people present felt that this was too young to be considered a ‘youth club’.  There was unanimous feeling that a meeting point for youngsters was needed – the term Youth Club was generally felt by all ages to be the wrong name –it was one of the wishes from the youths at the first Burstow Day.

The ages of the children needed to be 13 upwards.  It was noted that the Surrey Youth Development Service had stated that the Youth Bus was very popular, but they commented that it attracted younger children in Smallfield – eg 13/14 year olds than else where so there must be a need for that age group.

Inspector Burtenshaw commented that youths need to be engaged.  If they become involved they will take responsibility.  It was suggested that we have a youth council – but she stated that the mix of youngsters needs to be across the board and ‘council’ smacks of authority, boring and not cool!  A Meeting Place was needed as opposed to organised play.  Perhaps the community café could straddle the age groups and, if the trial is successful they could be used by different age groups at different times of day – a thought!

Actions needed

• Fun Club, provided they meet the required criteria and produce a business plan, to get funding from RASP and Parish Council for start up costs – As the only people to come forward they need encouragement.


• PC Baker to engage with the local youths, as can a working group – to find out what they would like and look into the possibility of starting a meeting place.


• Provide a forum where ideas for this may be aired and the possibility of having a trained youth worker – and consult with Surrey Youth Development to find a way forward.

Affordable Housing

Mona Johansson of Surrey Community Action and Geraldine Keeping, Housing Enabling Officer of Tandridge DC very kindly came along to answer questions, discuss result of the housing needs survey and to explain how we proceed from here. I have attached Mona’s resume of the survey and thank them both very for their help.

Actions needed

• Parish Council and Rural Housing Enabler of SCA to see if there is suitable land for a small scheme to go ahead


• Local people to be kept informed and consulted

BURSTOW PARISH

HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY RESULTS

Following the Burstow Day in September 2006, it emerged that the lack of affordable housing for local people was a concern for many people in the parish. As a result, Burstow Parish Council asked Surrey Community Action’s Rural Housing Enabler to undertake a ‘parish housing needs survey’, to see whether there were local people interested in affordable housing, and whether there would be support for such a proposal. The Housing Need Survey took place during October 2008 and was delivered to all households in the parish.

Ø      The survey received a very positive response with just 18% of all households in the parish responding, which is a good results for a voluntary survey and similar to response levels to similar surveys in other Surrey parishes;

Ø      Attitudes towards development of affordable housing are generally supportive, with two thirds in support of a local needs scheme and one third against;

Ø      The survey found that there is a need for affordable housing amongst local people in Burstow. There are families, couples and single people, who live in the parish in unsuitable housing or they would like to return to Burstow, although most live in the parish already and have long-standing family connections;

Ø      The next step would be for the Parish Council and Surrey Community Action’s Rural Housing Enabler to see if any suitable land can be identified which could be used for a small scheme of homes for local people. Local people will be kept informed and consulted.

GLOSSARY

Ø      ‘Small’ means it would be around 10-12 homes at the very most;

Ø      ‘Local’ means that homes are reserved for the people of Burstow or with close connections such as family or work;

Ø      ‘Affordable’ means that any such homes cannot be lost to the open market and so really do remain affordable for local people (this is the reason such homes can be given planning permission);

Ø      Affordable housing for local people is either for social rent or part buy, part rent (e.g. shared ownership) and so are not part of market housing schemes; 

Ø      Surrey Community Action is a county-wide charity that provides independent advice and support to a range of groups and organisations across rural and urban Surrey. 

Pavements/Footpaths

John Freebody was leading this Station.  The two areas, along Plough Road to the Football Field and play ground and from Cross Lane Junction with Redehall Road to the Scout Hut have been required for years.  In 2002 a survey was held in Redehall Road and detailed plans were drawn up and the footway was to have been built the same time as the notorious ‘bumps’.  However the construction was shelved – but not the need.  Since then the traffic, particularly that of heavy Lorries has increased. The road is used as a rat race to the motorway and drivers speed up after the bumps!  The lack of pavement halves the Parish – the Scout Hut and Keepers Corner, Copthorne Bank, Shipley Bridge and Effingham Road, are all effectively cut of for pedestrians as it so dangerous to walk along there at times.  To the north is the village of Smallfield, all the shops, the school and the surgery. 

In the same way the recycling area is not connected by pavement and

the need for a walkway along Plough Road, which has become a much faster Road, is becoming more urgent. John had a very good response to the question ‘should the Parish Council lobby for these to be done. Only one person said that it would ruin the rural aspect of the road, but generally it was felt that it had lost that quite a few years ago.

Actions needed

• The Parish Council to discuss with Surrey County Councillor to lobby the Local Committee and Surrey County Highways to have these projects reinstated as urgent

Bus Links

The buses to Horley in the mornings and back in the evenings are almost non existent and the post bus has been withdrawn from Outwood.  There is no likelihood of there being an increased service so it is for us as a community to own the problem.  If there was a need for this service, we could follow the example of Chobham who have set up their own shuttle bus service between Chobham and Woking.  If we found out which trains and fastway services were used then commuters could leave their cars at home, saving parking, and use the appropriate Shuttle service to Horley Station and back in the evening.  Not only is it green and energy saving – it will also provide links to everywhere – if we can get to a station or bus!  This was greeted with enthusiasm by those who need to use the service – but not so much from those who had retired and only wanted to get to the station in time for cheap tickets, but it would be worth pursuing to see if the service, if provided, would be used.  For those who wish to find out about the Chobham Shuttle – type that phrase into Google – it’s all there!!

Actions needed

• Needs survey


• Liaise with district and County Council for funding


• Discuss with Outwood PC the possibility of joining forces


• Business plan

Parking, safety and Neighbourhood Watch

There appears not much interest in Neighbourhood Watch – and that has always been the case in Smallfield, however a gentleman arrived with the full kit and advised those who were interested.  Parking was a major discussion point and Inspector Burtenshaw explained that since parking had become decriminalised, responsibility for this area had passed to district councils.  There had been an increase of parking wardens and Smallfield’s visits had increased.  The police could move people on if they were causing and obstruction and did so whenever they saw this.  Speeding was also an item brought up, but we were told that unfortunately most of the offenders were locals.   Two Vehicle Activated Signs had been installed after the first Burstow Day with two more in the pipeline. 

The police’s presence as greatly appreciated and showed their commitment to the community. PC Paul Baker and PC SO Nicky Gilbert are regularly around the village and his website is worth visiting for those who worry about safety and what is happening locally.

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The results of the Priorities List:-

Station                 High               Medium         Low            

Footways              70.5%            20.5%                 9%              High

Grass                    26.5%            38%                35.5%             Level

Bus                       51.5%            39.5%                  9%             High/Med

Housing                21%               64%                   15%             Med

Pool                      64%               12%                    24%            High/Low

Café                      50%               22%                    28%            High/Level

Youth Club            66.5%            21.5%                 12%            High

Police issues       70%               24%                      6%            High   

Comments from the ideas board

Swimming Pool – agree in principle. Initial funding and design funding essential

Swimming Pool enclosure is excellent idea and should be combined with a solar heating system.  It may be small but would be an excellent benefit for the community.

Swimming Pool – in the Olympic run-up and drive against obesity, the village pool is an excellent idea, especially as there is car parking available at Centenary Hall.

Community Café –Kiosk only for playing fields.  Best idea is café in old Estate Agents

Café – use of portocabin for a tea room is not a good idea as they become scruffy very quickly. Idea good but small brick building with small toilet block attached would be more secure.

Café – needs to be central to the village. – situated on Blossom Corner will deter everyday shoppers from using it.

Could the Hoath building in the allotments be utilised for a café?

Youth Club is a fantastic idea – there is a need for youth activities for 11-15 year-olds.  Is a funded worker a possibility?

The footpath in Redehall Road will ruin the rural aspect of the village and encourage development along its length.  If a path is required, it could be a rural path, not just pavements to both sides; it would then just be a street.

Get rid of speed bumps - Bicycle rack at Centenary Hall

Traffic – some form of traffic calming in Plough Road and Redehall Road must be considered again.  Would it be possible to have a working party to consider traffic speed for a week or two?

Buses – Buses to East Grinstead (one a day would be adequate) – say leaving Smallfield mid-morning - returning after lunch.  At present it is impossible to go to East Grinstead but not to return –Could we not have a service if only once a week?

The Village should be made more attractive with flowerbeds, hanging baskets.  The grass verges should be kept tidy, bins emptied and the general appearance maintained all the time – this will encourage pride in our surroundings.

Disappointed not to find anything related to keeping our village tidy and free from litter.  How about a voluntary litter team who target a different areas of the village at each meeting? Some effort should be put into tidying our roadside waterways.  Both these things would improve our environment and cost next to nothing.