Shoscombe questionnaire

Parish Plan V8.1Page 1

SHOSCOMBE PARISH PLANand neighbouring hamlets

Q U E S T I O N N A I R E

Important document! Do not throw away! All Questionnaires will be collected, including those not completed.


Questionnaire NotesThe Government aims to give rural communities like ours a bigger role inrunning their own affairs and this is exactly what our Parish Plan will help to do.This Quesitonnaire has been put together by a group of Shoscombe residents,the Parish Plan Steering Group (our names are on the back cover), whose job itis to canvas everyone’s views and wishes concerning our community.

What you have to say is important to us.

The answers you give will help us to write the Shoscombe Parish Plan. The moreresidents complete the Questionnaire, the more accurately the Plan will representeveryone’s views and the louder our voice will be in protecting and improvingwhat we love and value here.

Your answers could affect the future of our village.

Please complete as much as you can, but feel free to leave blank any questionswhich you feel don’t apply to you, or which you prefer not to answer.Completing the Tick Boxes will take about 15-20 minutes. It will take longer ifyou choose to fill in the Comments Boxes.

Each adult in your household can complete his or her own Questionnaire, oryou can share a Questionnaire between you. Your Collector will give you asmany copies as you need. Young people aged from 7 - 17 have their ownQuestionnaire.

If you’d like to give your contact details overleaf, you’ll be entered in a

Prize Draw!(see back cover for details)

A representative of the Steering Group will call to collect your Questionnaire onthe date below. If you have any queries, or you need additional copies, pleasecontact a member of the Steering Group. Their names and contact details are onthe next page.

Agreed Collection Date………………………………

Please note: the information collected from the Questionnaires will be heldtemporarily by the Shoscombe Parish Plan Steering Group solely for the purposeof compiling the Parish Plan. Individual replies will not be passed on to anyone

else nor used for any other purpose whatever.

Parish Plan V8.1Page 3Q3. Village events strengthen a sense of community. (please circle one of thefollowing)

Q4. The following community events take place in Shoscombe: Jazz & CreamTea, Village Day, Irish Dancing Ceilidh, The Christmas market, Carol Service,The Music Festival, The Flower Festival, Fun Day, School Carol Servie

What other events would you like to see organized?

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THE VILLAGE HALL

Q5. The Village Hall is currently undergoing a programme of repair andrenovation. Do you think that the building is adequate for the needs of theCommunity? (please circle one)

Yes No No opinion

Q6. What other facilities/equipment/improvements would be useful at theVillage Hall? (please tick as many as apply)

Q7. Is there anything else that would make you use the Village Hall more often?

Stronglyagree

Agree Noopinion

Disagree Stronglydisagree

Projector and screenHearing LoopWi-fiSound SystemMore comfortable seatingBetter lightingBetter heatingMeeting roomChanging facilities


This Questionnaire is for you if you are an adult resident.Children and young people between 7 and 17 have their own Questionnaire.

In your household, you can complete a Questionnaire each, or you can share aQuestionnaire between you.

Q1. How many members of your household does this Questionnaire represent?(Please circle the number of people in your household sharing this Questionnaire.)

1 2 3 4

Section 1.COMMUNITY AMENITIES AND EVENTS

In the initial questionnaire sent out in the Newsletter in 2014, people said they verymuch value the amenities we have. Let us know what you think about the events andcommunity facilities in Shoscombe and how best they can be used and developed forresidents of all ages and interests.

Q2. How often do you use these local amenities? (tick a box for each amenity)

frequently occasionally neverThe Village HallThe Play AreaThe Playing FieldChurchThe Apple TreeThe SchoolFootpathsBridlewaysCycle Track

Parish Plan V8.1Page 5Q8. Which groups or activities do you attend, either at the Village Hall or elsewhere inthe village? (please tick as many as apply)

Q9. What other facilities, sports, activities or classes would you like there to be? Forexample: tennis court, film society, luncheon club, art classes, etc. Please include yourage if you’d like to.

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THE PLAY AREA AND PLAYING FIELD

Q10. Do you use the play area or the playing field? (Please circle one)

Frequently Occasionally Never

Q11. Please add your comments and suggestions for improvements to the play area orplaying field, and include your age if you’d like to.

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THE APPLE TREE INN

Did you know that The Apple Tree Inn takes deliveries of parcels? Or that ourCommunity Policeman visits the Apple Tree to keep in touch with us? Or thatThe History Group meets in the Apple Tree and Mark and Mandy welcomegroups who’d like to use the pub as an informal meeting place?

Irish dancingHistory groupBook ClubWildlife GroupWalking groupFriends of Foxcote ChurchStretch and breatheTable TennisDog trainingCricket teamFrack Free Shoscombe

Parish Plan V8.1Page 6Q12. How often do you visit the Apple Tree Inn? (please tick one)

Q13. What would make you visit the Apple Tree Inn more often?

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Section 2.THE CHURCH and SCHOOL

ST JAMES THE LESS CHURCH

Q14. What kind of services would you like to attend? (tick as many as apply)

Q15. Churches are increasingly being used for other community events. Would youlike to see any of the following taking place in St James the Less? (tick as many asapply).

I’m happy with the services as they areShorter, family-friendly servicesTraditional servicesFestivals and other special occasionsContemplative / meditation / healingInter-faith servicesNo opinion

Regularly Occasionally Rarely Never

ConcertsLiterary eveningsMarketsTalks and discussionsOccasional services in response toworld/national/local issues and events

Parish Plan V8.1Page 7Q16. Any other comments for this section.

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SHOSCOMBE SCHOOL

Q17. Do you consider the School to be an integral part of our community? (circleone)

Yes No No opinion

Q18. Would you like to have a regular update in the Newsletter on the children’sachievements and current activities, in addition to the usual fund raising events?

Yes No No opinion

Q19. Do you think the School building could be used for more community events?

Yes No No opinion

Q20. Any other comments or suggestions for this section.

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Section 3.COMMUNICATION

Q21. Do you have internet access at home? (please tick one)

Yes No

Parish Plan V8.1Page 8Q22. There are currently 2 Shoscombe Village Websites, one for the Parish Counciland one for the Village Hall. How often do you look at the websites? (circle one)


Q23. Would any of the following changes to the websites be helpful? (please tick asmany as apply)

The BROADBAND service in some parts of Shoscombe has been a problem fora long time. There was a presentation at the Village Day by Matt McCabe fromTrueSpeed about the possibility of ultrafast broadband coming to Shoscombe ifenough residents register an interest on the Truespeed website.

Q24. Would you be interested in a faster, more reliable Broadband service?

Yes No Don’t know

Q25. Please add any comments or ideas about on-line communication in the village.

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THE NEWSLETTER

THE SHOSCOMBE NEWSLETTER is delivered free to every household mostmonths. It is produced by volunteers and contains information about events,services, the Church and other local issues; these notices are included free of charge.

All community information on a single websiteMore information from the Parish Council e.g planning applications received.More information from the village societies, groups, clubs etc.Noticeboard e.g freecycle, information sharingPicture galleriesInformation about local services, e.g mobile library.Village BlogNo changes necessary

Parish Plan V8.1Page 9Q26. Would any of the following changes to the Newsletter be useful?

Q27. Any other comments or suggestions about the Newsletter?

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NOTICEBOARDS

Q28. There are Notice Boards at 4 locations in the village. Do you look at theNotice Boards?


Q29. Any other comments or suggestions about the Notice Boards?

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Section 4.ROADS, PARKING & TRANSPORT

In the Preliminary Questionnaire, people said they like the narrow laneshere because they’re part of the rural character of Shoscombe. Some peoplealso felt that narrow lanes can help to slow down traffic and keep through-traffic to a minimum.

More information from the Parish Council e.g planning applications received.More information from the Parish Council regarding current work in thevillage (maintenance, repairs etc) and planned work.Updates from the Village Hall CommitteeMore updates on the activities of the village clubs and groupsA list of recommended local tradesmenInformation about local services, e.g mobile library.No changes necessary

Parish Plan V8.1Page 10Q30. Please comment on our local roads. For example; are they adequatelymaintained?

For some time, the B&NES gritting truck has not been coming into Shoscombevillage. The Parish Council is aware of this and has been working to rectify thesituation, with no positive result so far.

Q31. Do you have difficulty driving to and from your home in icy weather?

Yes No Occasionally

Q32. If you do have difficulties, please let us know the specific spots that arehazardous.

Q33. Are the roads here adequately maintained?

Yes No No opinion

Q34. If ‘No’ in what way does the lack of maintenance affect you? Please be specificabout the places where you feel the roads need maintenance.

Q35. Do you ever have difficulty parking your car within easy access to your home?

Yes No N/A

Q36. If ‘yes’, please give details, being specific about the places and times whenparking is a problem.

Parish Plan V8.1Page 11Q37. Would you like to see (please tick as many as apply)

Q38. How do you normally travel to and from your home?

Q39. Do you ever use

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Section 5.ACCESS TO MEDICAL SERVICES

Q40. Do you ever have a problem getting to the doctor or hospital?

Yes No

Q41. If you’ve answered ‘yes’ above, please give more information if you’d like to.

Q42. Some villages have a voluntary transport scheme to enable those without a carto access essential services. (please tick as many as apply)

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More designated parking areas

Introduction of residents’ parking scheme

More road markings for restricted parking

Car BicycleMotorcycle TaxiOn foot to the bust stop On footOther

The Wednesday morning bus

Car Fare

More designated parking areasIntroduction of residents’ parking schemeMore road markings for restricted parking


Section 6.LOCAL BUSINESS

Please complete this section only if you work from home or run a business here.If you don’t, please skip this section and go on to Section 7.

Q43. What kind of work do you do?

Q44. How long has your business been established?

Q45. How many people work for the business?

Full time …….. Part time ……..

Q46. How many people working in the business live in Shoscombe Parish, Foxcote,Braysdown or Woodborough?

Full time …….. Part time ……..

Q47. Are there services here that benefit your business?

Q48. What other services would benefit your business if they were available here?

Q49. Do you publicise your business in Shoscombe, Foxcote, Braysdown orWoodborough?

Yes/No

Q50. If so, how?

Q51. What factors make running a business here particularly pleasant, or difficult?

Q52. Does your business have direct connections with neighbouring villages or towns?

Yes/No

Q53. Could residents or Shoscombe Parish Council do anything to help your business dobetter?


Section 7.HOUSING, PLANNING AND BUILDING DESIGN

A majority of those who responded to the preliminary Questionnaire saidthat they do not want new houses built here.

B&NES Core Strategy sets out development needs for the wholearea for the next 25 years and it identifies no sites in Shoscombe Parish forprospective development. This means that there is no pressure on us toaccept new building in our Parish.

Shoscombe is washed over by the Green Belt so we have extraprotection from development. However, applications for in-fill developmentmight still be applied for. (In-fill is land bordered on 3 sides by housing.)

Private developers or individuals who want to build, renovate orextend a property submit a planning application to B&NES and also to ourParish Council. The Parish Plan will be used by B&NES Council andShoscombe Parish Council as a guide to residents’ wishes concerningdevelopment and also our preferences in design and materials should anapplication be considered.

Q43. If there is an application for Planning Permission, which of the followingwould you be happy for B&NES and our Parish Council to consider approving?(please tick)

Q44. Please comment on this important issue as fully as you’d like to.

Q45. We have many designs and styles of buildings here. If B&NES Council andour Parish Council receive an application for a new building, or the renovation orextension of an existing one, what would you like them to consider favourably?(please tick as many as apply)

An extension to an existing buildingA single dwelling on infill landNo development at all

Traditional design.Modern designTraditional materialsModern materialsExcellent ‘green energy’ credentialsIt depends on the location, design and materialsNo opinion

Parish Plan V8.1Page 14Q46. If you’d like to, please say more about design and materials in connection withplanning applications.

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Section 8.

LANDSCAPE, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

Q47. How do you rate the general appearance of the village and surrounding lanesand footpaths? (please tick one)

Excellent Good Fair Poor No opinion

Q48. What do you think might help to improve things? (tick as many as apply)

Q49. Please add any other suggestions for improvements

Q50. How do you rate the current condition of local rights of way, i.e footpaths,kissing gates, stiles, boundaries, bridleways and byways? (please tick one)

Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know

Q51. Please comment, being specific if you can about the location of rights of wayyou feel are not adequately maintained.

More litter / poo binsRegular litter clearingRegular tidying e.g. old posters removedVillage Caretaker to keep things tidyThings are fine as they are

Parish Plan V8.1Page 15Q52. Do you have other concerns about the local environment? e.g flooding, ditchmaintenance, river maintenance, other? Be specific about location if you can.

Q53. How important is the landscape, natural environment and wildlife to you?(please tick one)

Very important Quite important Neutral Not important

Q54. Many residents who responded to the Preliminary Questionnaire noted thefollowing as things that they value and would like to protect. Do you agree? (pleasetick as many as apply)

Q55. Please add anything else you value and want to protect as regards thelandscape, natural environment and local wildlife.

‘the green spaces between hamlets which give residents a sense of identity and arealso important wildlife corridors’‘the recreational aspect of our local countryside; e.g footpaths, bridleways, cycletrack, green play spaces for children’‘narrow lanes and single track lanes which are part of the character of the place’‘natural rural verges and hedges with minimal road signage’‘low traffic levels, low traffic noise’‘low pollution, fresh air’‘dark skies, no street lighting’‘beautiful countryside and views’‘unspoiled distant skyline’‘the local history, historical sites and industrial heritage’‘birds, insects and wildlife’‘wild areas and uncultivated land’‘the river and streams’‘open areas for butterflies, wild flowers and insects’

Parish Plan V8.1Page 16Q56. The following have been suggested as possible environmental or conservation projectsfor the future. They would all need volunteers, fund-raising and planning, but would you, inprincipal, be in support any of these initiatives? (please tick as many as apply)

Q57. Any other comments or suggestions for this section?

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Section 9.RECYCLING, ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Q58. For you, is the household recycling service provided by B&NES (please tick one)

Very important Quite important Neutral Not important

Q59. Village communities like ours are developing the following projects. All communityprojects need volunteers, fund-raising, detailed planning and consultation with thecommunity, but in principal, do you think any of these are good ideas for us? (tick as manyas apply)

Acquisition of land for community orchard / nature reserveAllotmentsBecoming a bee-friendly villageConservation and improvement of the riverInsect-friendly planting at the entrances to the hamletsGarden sharing initiativeManagement of open areas for butterflies, wild flowers andinsects

Local sustainable energy initiative, e.g. wind, solarAim to be a zero carbon communityA local carbon-capture (tree planting) schemeAim to be a Fairtrade communityJoin with the Wellow Oil Group to share fuel buyingShare garden produce (a place in the village where excess fruit and veg canbe given away)Lift sharing

A place to advertise free 2nd hand goodsAdvice and help with Green electricity sign-upA sustainable food projectLocal Freecycle/Swap Shop


Hydraulic Fracturing, or FRACKING, extracts fossil fuel from underground usingpressurized water, sand, and up to 300 chemicals. Shoscombe is about 500 yards from thenearest licence area. The current Government is in favour of Fracking; they say it wouldproduce cheap electricity, create jobs and benefit local communities. Those opposed toFracking say that it will not produce cheap electricity, that there will be seriousenvironmental degradation, and house values will fall.

Q60. What is your opinion on Fracking in this area? (tick those that apply)

Q61. Are you aware that there is a ‘Frack Free Shoscombe’ Group? (If you’d like moredetails, please leave your contact details at the end of the Questionnaire.)

Yes No I’d like more information

Q62. Any other comments or ideas for this section

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Section 10.SHOSCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

AND FUNDING THE PARISH OF SHOSCOMBE

PLEASE SKIP THIS SECTION and go to Section 11. if you do NOT live within theShoscombe Parish boundary.

Q63. Do you know what our Parish Council is responsible for? (please tick one)

Yes I have some idea No

I am in favour of fracking locallyI need more information on the environmental impactI need greater assurances of safeguards and controlsFracking should not be undertaken locall under any circumstances

Parish Plan V8.1Page 18Q64. Do you know who your Parish Councillors are?

Yes Some of them No

Q65. Would you know how to contact a Parish Councillor?

Yes No

Q66. Do you ever attend Parish Council meetings?


Q67. If you’ve answered ‘Never’, is there a reason why you don’t?

Q68. Would you like to make any other comments or suggestions for this section?

*

Funding the Parish of Shoscombe. Our Council Tax is paid to Bath and North EastSomerset Council (B&NES) and includes a portion for the Parish Council to spend onlocal needs. This portion is called the Precept.

The amount of the Precept is set in January for the next financial year.Currently, for the year 2014/15, the Precept for Shoscombe Parish is £6,437. This is anaverage of £40 per household.

With the above in mind, the next questions in this section are about howwe could raise money for local improvements, community projects and conservation.

Q69. Increase the proportion of Precept we currently pay. This would mean paying moreCouncil Tax with the extra going towards village funds. Is this a good idea? (please tickone)

Yes Yes, depending on the amount No

Q70. Separately ‘fund-raise’ for specific projects.

Yes No Don’t know

Parish Plan V8.1Page 19Q71. Make direct contributions from the Precept to designated projects.

Yes No Don’t know

Q72. Look at other methods of funding, through grants, initiatives and local authoritysupport.

Yes No Don’t know

Q73. Some community activities are currently being done by volunteers, e.g the Newslet-ter, website, litter-picking and occasional footpath clearing. If the Parish Precept wereraised, it might be possible to employ someone, for instance, to clear litter regularly. Doyou think it would be a good idea for the community to pay someone for such jobs?

Yes No Don’t know

Q74. Any other comments or ideas about funding our community.

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Section 11.CONCLUSION

Q75. What would you like to see come out of this Parish Plan?

Parish Plan V8.1Page 20Q76. Have we missed anything important in this Questionnaire? What else would youlike to tell us about living in Shoscombe Parish, Foxcote, Braysdown or Woodborough?

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Section 12.

WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO HELP?

Shoscombe and the neighbouring hamlets of Foxcote, Braysdown and Woodboroughhave not attracted developers yet, partly because there are limited facilities: e.g. no gas,no shop, narrow lanes, minimal parking, minimal public transport. In the PreliminaryQuestionnaire, many people said they like it this way and ‘don’t want anything tochange.’

In what way might you, as an individual, be prepared to help maintain the statusquo and protect what we have by contributing to a ‘Shoscombe Self-Sufficiency andSustainability Policy’?

Q77. Local self-sufficiency. Would you consider volunteering to help with services for lo-cal residents, such as

Baby and toddler groupLuncheon clubTransport for people of limited mobility to doctor’s appointments,shopping, local social activitiesA friend of Shoscombe SchoolA friend of Foxcote ChurchLooking after the notice boardsHelping to look after the Shoscombe website

Parish Plan V8.1Page 21Q78. Local sustainability and the environment. With more information, might you con-sider helping to make any of the following happen?

Q79. Any other projects you’d like to see developed?

If you’d like more information about volunteering for any of the projects or ideas men-tioned in this Questionnaire, please complete your contact details here. You will not becommitting yourself to volunteering by leaving your details.

Name……………………………………… ….. Telephone number……………………..

Email address………………………………

END OF QUESTIONNAIRE

THANK YOU!

Your comments and suggestions are very valuable to us in developing aParish Plan which will make this an even better place to live.

Local sustainable energy initiative, e.g. wind, solarBecome a Fairtrade communityA fuel share groupAcquisition of land for a community orchard/nature reserveAllotmentsExcess garden produce exchange (similar to Coombe Hay where there’s aplace in the village where people leave their excess fruit and veg.)Environmental and wildllife conservation projectsImprove the way the village looks eg. Natural planting at the entrances tothe village




Please fill in your contact details below if you’d like to be entered into theQUESTIONNAIRE PRIZE DRAW(This cover sheet will be detached from your completed Questionnaire, so youranswers will remain anonymous).

1st prize £50 2nd prize £35 3rd prize £15

Name .................................….….………………….……

Telephone number ………………………………………

or

email address …………………………...........................

*

Please contact a member of The Shoscombe Parish Plan Steering Group, should youhave any queries about the Questionnaire or the Parish Plan.

Tricia Wastvedt 434805 Email: [email protected]

Carolyn Keating 434103

Derek Withers 07778740628 Email: [email protected]

Linda Lethbridge 435656

Heather Greenhough

Sue Baillie

Documents

Shoscombe questionnaire