The INFORMER
Todwick Parish Council
No. 65
March 2004
TODWICK SURVEY AND ACTION PLAN
A copy of the Executive Summary of the Report, with the
headline findings and recommendations appears as
a supplement to this issue of The Informer.
The Parish Council expresses its thanks to all those residents who
completed and returned the Questionnaire, and to the members of the
Steering Group who put in so much hard work to make the survey a success.
Although only 40% of households returned the Questionnaire it is felt that
the results give a reasonably good cross-section of opinion and show just
what residents want to see happen in Todwick in the next few years.
It is important that the Action Plan is not dismissed as a "wish
list" and when members of the Steering Group considered the findings
earlier this month they were unanimous in supporting the necessity for an
Action Plan Group to monitor progress. For most recommendations the Parish
Council will be responsible for giving the lead, but often in co-operation
with Rotherham Borough Council, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport
Executive, South Yorkshire Police or the National Health Service. Some
objectives will be more easily achieved than others, but it is hoped that
residents will begin to see some results of the Action Plan before too
long.
Copies of the full Report are available at the Village Hall, Todwick
School, the Church and Kiveton Park Library, while each village
organisation has been supplied with a copy, as have the members of the
Parish Council, so if you wish to see a copy you should have no difficulty
in borrowing one.
A special Public Meeting, open to all residents, will be held in
the Village Hall on Tuesday 11th May commencing
at 7.30 pm at which you will be able to ask any questions, express
any opinions, etc. and generally discuss the Report.
It is a matter of some concern that so far there has been insufficient
consultation with the young people of the Village. There is no Youth Club
these days and approaches to Wales High School to arrange something for
their Todwick students have met with no response. It is hoped that a
Special Event for these young people can be arranged before long so that
their views can be taken on board by the Parish Council and the Action
Plan Group.
STILL WANTED - URGENTLY! There has so far been no response to
the plea in the November issue of The Informer or the
advertisements in both local free newspapers for two new Councillors. You
will appreciate from reading about the Action Plan that it is essential to
have a full-strength Parish Council to carry out the work. Todwick is a
non-party political Council with a reputation for financial rectitude.
Unlike Borough Councillors you will be unpaid, although certain expenses
are authorised, but if you have a genuine interest in the village and its
residents please consider offering your services - or nominate someone
you would like to see on the Council. Write to the Clerk, J.R. Walker
at 10 High Street, South Anston, S25 5AY or talk to one of the existing
Councillors.
THE 2004/05 PRECEPT - This is the amount which will be collected
by Rotherham Borough Council on behalf of the Parish Council to cover
expenditure during the year. Once again the Parish Council has decided not
to increase this - i.e. a standstill precept for the 9th year.
It will remain at £18,650.00, including £5,000 to be allocated to the
Village Hall improvements when these take place.
THE BUDGET - It was decided to include in this, in addition to
committed/routine expenditure: Perimeter fencing to the Children's
Playground - £5,000; Tarmacing work at the Recreation Ground - £5000;
Provision and maintenance of hanging baskets - £2000; Maintenance of
Sports Pavilions - £3000. Also to include the following items should
priorities change and/or grant monies become available: Improvement to the
access to the Cricket and Bowling Pavilions and provision of access for
the disabled - £10,000; Drainage of the Football Pitch - £3,000.
The current situation on expenditure is that the extra safety surfacing in
the Children's Playground (mentioned in the November Informer)
was installed before Christmas, and the additional tarmacing in the
Recreation Ground has been completed.
AND HOW SOME OF IT WILL BE SPENT - The Structural Survey on the
Sports Pavilions was duly completed in November and considered by the
Council, and showed fewer problems than had been feared. The Football
Pavilion is in a satisfactory condition except for the windows, and the
Bowls Pavilion is generally in good condition although some minor repairs
are necessary. The Cricket Pavilion is in poorer condition but with some
repairs can be put into a satisfactory condition. The main problem is the
timber floor boarding near the main entrance which is near to collapse and
needs to be renewed along with any rotten floor joists in the vicinity as
soon as possible. Work on this has already been carried out by the Village
Handyman (John Mosley) and further work will be undertaken as soon as the
woodwork has dried out, as will the other necessary repairs.
THE STATUS OF THE RECREATION GROUND - A lengthy correspondence
with the Charity Commission has been ongoing since they informed the
Parish Council that the Recreation Ground was the subject of a Charitable
Trust. The matter has at last been resolved, and it has been established
that the Recreation Ground was held as a Trust by the Miners' Welfare
Fund, until 1972 when it was transferred by them to the Parish Council as
a free gift with a condition was that it should "hold the same upon
the trusts and subject to the terms and conditions for securing the
enjoyment of the property for the purpose of public recreation".
Although the Parish Council has adhered to this condition the Ground has
never been treated as a separate Trust - indeed the present Council and
previous ones were not even aware that it was held on trust. It has taken
until very recently for the Charity Commission to approach the Council for
separate accounts, but fortunately it will only count as a Small Charity
(i.e. with a turnover less than £10,000 a year) so it is hoped that the
extra work involved in producing the required annual accounts will not be
great, and the requirement has not been back-dated.. As far as the various
organisations using the Ground are concerned they will not notice the
difference!
ALLOTMENTS - Following the publicity in the November Informer
there has been a sudden increase in interest and applications, and as we
go to print we understand that there is only one half-allotment unlet.
Rents for the coming year are due at the end of March so if you are an
allotment holder who missed this year's collection at the Village Hall on
Sunday 21st of the month please contact Councillor Les Waller
at 13 The Pastures as soon as possible.
BONFIRES 2003 and 2004 - The unofficial collection taken at the
2003 Bonfire totalled £120 and was given to Village Hall funds. The
Parish Council has made provision in this year's Budget for the 2004
Bonfire and Fireworks Display which it is hoped will be enjoyed as much as
in other years.
EMERGENCY PLANNING - The Chairman (Clive Pantry) and Councillor
Mary Gregory recently attended a Seminar for Parish Councils arranged by
Rotherham Borough Council. Emergency Planning is planning for major
incidents such as air crashes, floods, etc. and acts of terrorism, and
local authorities now have a statutory duty to prepare a plan to work
together with emergency services and the NHS in response to major
incidents. An extremely interesting presentation on the Borough's
Emergency Plan explained how Rotherham responds to a major incident, the
arrangement of the Emergency Operations Room and the functions of the
Emergency Co-ordinators. The Seminar was held in the Operations Room which
is equipped with very modem and sophisticated technology.
The second part of the Seminar was concerned with the involvement of
Parish Councils which is crucial to the Borough Council's response by
acting as representatives of the local community and providing liaison
between the two, as well as supplementing the activities of the Borough
with local knowledge and involvement. Each Parish Council now has to
produce its own Plan, and has been issued with an outline in which to fill
in all the relevant details, including local resources such as
availability of public rooms. Todwick Parish Council will shortly be
undertaking this with the cooperation of various village organisations.
Disasters are not always things which happen to other people so it is
essential that we play out part in this planning.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR - Councillors Mosley, Gregory and Marsh
recently attended a meeting with the Police called by Wales Parish Council
which dealt with a number of problems common to the 7 local Parishes. It
was attended by Chief Inspector Gary Blinkhorn, but although sympathetic
to the problems his response seemed to be mainly concerned with explaining
why shortage of resources prevented the Police taking any more action than
at present! Lack of official transport for our community police officers
was complained about by representatives of various villages - including
Todwick - and also the continuing shortcomings of the main switchboard
which make contact with the police difficult and time-consuming.
PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP - The Council has given written support for
their proposal to build a new building in the School grounds which would
allow additional services to be provided.
SAFETYKLEEN - The Chairman (Clive Pantry) has been appointed to
represent the Council on Safetykleen's new Liaison Committee.
FIDDLE NECK LANE - This may well be a new name to you. Some barn
conversions are taking place at Nickerwood Farm which is at present
approached by a track off Mansfield Road, Aston, but which is within the
boundary of Todwick Parish, and consultation with the Borough Council's
Archives section of the Library has resulted in this suggestion for the
name of the new road.
FOOTPATH WALKS - These take place on the second Sunday of each
month under the leadership of Mr Pat Wilson (tel: 771319) and leave the
Village Hall at 10.00 am. Now that winter is past it is a good time to get
to know your local footpaths and bridleways and to make sure they are kept
open to walkers. Even in summer suitable footwear is essential, and as
ever dogs are welcome to accompany their owners.
SKIPS - No dates have yet been notified when skips will be
available on the Allotment Field in 2004.
TODWICK WEBSITE - www.todwick.org.uk. Send any news or items for
inclusion to Sheila Pantry at 85 The Meadows or sp@sheilapantry.com. Tel:
771024.
THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY - will take place on Tuesday 27
April at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. This is your opportunity to hear
the Annual Report of the Chairman and the Clerk on the year's work of the
Council, as well as the financial report and accounts - i.e. how your
money has been spent as well as the work Councillors have undertaken on
your behalf. You will be able to comment on the reports and accounts and
to ask questions.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS - Are normally held on the last Tuesday
of each month (except August) in the Village Hall commencing at 7.30 pm.
There is always an Open Session at 8.30 pm at which members of the public
may ask questions or raise any matters of concern. The meeting on 27
April, however, will commence at 7.00 pm and if necessary reconvene
immediately after the Annual Assembly. Other forthcoming dates are 25
May, 29 June and 27 July.
ANOTHER URGENT REQUEST - This one is for a new Secretary to the
Village Hall Committee. If you feel you could undertake this important
though not very onerous duty (the Committee only meets every other month)
please contact David Bliss at the Rectory (tel: 770283) or John Mosley
(771384)
THE A57 - If you read a report in The Star a few weeks ago to
the effect that work on the A57 would be delayed because funding would not
be available when originally promised, we can reassure you that there was
no truth in it. The information was certainly not obtained from Rotherham
Borough Council, and we have been assured by their engineer in charge of
the project that matters are still proceeding as planned. As soon as all
the legal and planning matters are completed the funding will be
available. A decision on the possible provision of a roundabout at the top
of Goosecarr Lane has not yet been taken.
POLICE CONTACT NUMBERS - Emergency - 999. To report an
incident/for prompt attention (if you're lucky! See the report on
Anti-Social Behaviour over the page) - Central Switchboard 0114 220 20 20.
Crimestoppers - 0800 555111. Our local community police officers, Tina
Jones and Howard Saul, can be contacted at Kiveton Police Station - 01709
832681 - but do not leave a message on their answering machine if your
call is urgent - call the Central Switchboard!
STREETPRIDE - Don't forget - if you wish to report potholes in
the road, faulty street lights, graffiti, etc. the number to ring is 01709
336003.
TEAG - thanks to the efforts of Todwick Environmental Action
Group the village is again looking colourful after their spring planting.
More planting for the summer is planned and residents are again asked to
put any spare plants at their driveway entrances or along their front
gardens to help brighten up the village - certainly more people did this
last year and their efforts were much appreciated. If you want to know
more about TEAG contact Sheila Pantry (Co-ordinator) on 771024.
GOOD WISHES - to John and Brenda Palmer who will shortly be
retiring from Todwick Post Office and Newsagency after 12 years of giving
a much appreciated service to the residents of Todwick.
TAILPIECE - According to the Village Survey 96.2% of the
people of Todwick read The Informer, but only 79.8%
are aware of the work of the Parish Council. (Am I wasting my time?
Ed.)
The Informer is published three times a year by Todwick Parish
Council from 10 High Street, South Anston, Sheffield S25 5AY. The next
issue will appear in July 2004.
1.1 Todwick Village Survey 2003
The Todwick Village Survey of 2003 marks a new dawn in the community
life of the Village. The survey, carried out during November and December
2003, drew a big response and a resounding call for a stronger community
spirit in Todwick. In response to this call from all over the Village, the
Parish Council is preparing plans and ways to involve more people in
Village affairs.
An Action Plan has been prepared in response to the information and the
many positive suggestions made by people who completed the questionnaire.
This will be used as the basis of a range of new projects and initiatives
all designed to help make Todwick a much more "active" community
than perhaps it has been in the recent past.
The Action Plan is to be launched at a public meeting during the Spring
of 2004 when the Parish Council will be calling on villagers to come
forward and help turn new ideas into positive actions that will make
Todwick and even better place to live.
1.2 Survey Method
The Todwick Village Survey was an idea sponsored by the Parish Council
who felt it was important to hear more from local people about what kind
of village and community they wanted. The Survey was funded by the
Yorkshire Rural Community Council. To oversee the village survey and so as
to engage a wider set of interests than just the members of the Parish
Council, it was decided to set up a Village Plan Committee. The Committee
appointed a team of experienced consultants to help them design and carry
out the survey and analyse the results.
The Village Plan Committee comprised some 14 local persons who met
regularly with the consultancy team over the Winter of 2003/04. They were
not only of great value in 'steering' the consultants, they also made a
major contribution to the design of the survey so that it was as
comprehensive and relevant as it needed to be. The Committee also provided
a most efficient and effective distribution mechanism that got all the
survey forms out to the residents of the area with both speed and
efficiency.
Thanks to their efforts every household in the Village received a
14-page survey form. We are most grateful to the many householders who
gave up an hour or so of their time to complete the form and return it to
the consultants. The response rate achieved exceeded our expectations and
gave an early indication that the people of Todwick do have strong views
about their village and its environs.
283 households in Todwick completed a survey form. The information and
opinion given, together with the published demographic and household
information from the 2001 Census, provides an extremely comprehensive
picture of Todwick today. To put some "colour" to the many
statistics that have been gathered, the consultants also held a
consultation event at the Todwick Christmas Fair on 29 November 2003. Once
again Todwick responded in force and a large number of residents who
attended the Fair took the time to talk to the consultants and to stick
pins and post-its on the displays to let their feelings and ambitions be
known.
We are most grateful to the villagers of Todwick for your
contributions. It is clear that most of you think Todwick is a very good
place to live and want to stay here. It is also abundantly clear that,
because you care about your Village, there are things that you would like
to see change or improve. We hope that the Survey has not only given you
an opportunity to voice your opinion but also provided the Parish Council
and others with evidence of what needs to be done and how.
Full copies of the Survey and Draft Action plan area available at a
number of locations within the Village. Please see the notice at the
Village Hall.
1.3 Survey Headlines
Just over 1,600 people currently live in the Parish of Todwick. It is
an 'ageing population' with over 30% of the population aged over 65. Less
than 15% of the population is under 16. The average age of the population
is 43.1 years.
Todwick is a relatively prosperous community. Its unemployment rate is
under 2%. Almost all of the 62% of residents who are in employment work
outside of the Village - three-quarters of them travel 5 miles or more to
work. 1 in 5 residents are now retired.
Most people own their own house. Almost everyone is content with their
dwelling's condition. The range of housing types also reflects the fact
that Todwick is very much a private sector housing area and one that has
grown significantly in the past few decades. The more fashionable housing
types such as detached property (31%) and bungalows (46%) are in the
majority.
Todwick is a very mobile village despite having a significant number of
residents who have mobility problems and there being so many retired
households. Only 4% of households do not have a car. Nearly half of the
households in the Village (49%) have two or more cars. Over half of the
Village (53%) never uses a bus whilst only 12% of the Village uses the bus
on a daily basis (many of whom are young people).
There is a high level of satisfaction with local schools with nearly
90% of the Village rating local schools as good or excellent. The
questionnaire also revealed much praise for the school play scheme and
with pre-school services, although only a minority of respondents used
them directly.
Almost two-thirds of people in Todwick (62%) travel over two miles to
get to a doctor and family health services. Access to pharmaceutical
services is closer by in Kiveton Park yet only 22% of respondent families
go there. It seems however that many travel much further to buy their
pharmaceuticals; probably in association with doing other shopping at
larger centres and supermarkets. There is a dentist in Kiveton Park that
16% of the respondent families use, but by far the majority of residents
go much further afield. 20% travel more than 10 miles. Travelling for
health services is the norm and people expect to do so. For so many this
means arranging for check-ups, renewals and purchases to coincide with
trips for other purposes. For instance 82% of families report travelling
over 5 miles to consult an optician.
Only around one third of local residents currently get involved in
community activities. This is despite 96% of householders reading the
local free newspapers and over 70% of them knowing that local events are
advertised in the Todwick Informer. It seems too that just over half of
the Village are familiar with the contents of the Church magazine.
Whilst many residents choose not to attend community activities, a
large proportion (63%) use the public footpaths and rights-of-way around
the Village. These are by far the most used of outdoor facilities in and
around the Village. A third of the households of the Village use the
children's play area. Less than 10% of the Village use either the football
pitches (9%) or the bowling-green (6%). As far as sporting activity is
concerned, 30% of households report participating in some sporting
activity outside of the Village.
Crime levels are generally low, although the fear of crime exists. Just
over 10% of the village had been the victim of some crime somewhere in the
past year. About a third of residents feel vulnerable on the streets after
dark. Over four-fifths of local households have taken steps to protect
themselves from crime and fire. Nearly three-quarters of residents report
fireworks to be a nuisance (our Survey did take place just after
"bonfire night").
The Todwick community is quite proud of its setting and generally very
keen to see the streets of the Village as environmentally attractive,
pleasant and clean as the surrounding countryside. The green belt is much
cherished, 85% are aware of the belt and 99% of those support its
enforcement and protection.
1.4 Village Opinions
The Village Survey was as much about opinions as it was about facts and
we certainly gathered plenty of opinions and suggestions.
Almost everybody in Todwick thinks that the green belt should be
enforced and kept as rigid in future.
Over 90% of the Village is satisfied with the ambulance service.
Over 80% of the Village thought that the school facilities were good
and should be open for more public use out of school hours.
80% of the Village believe that care service provision in Todwick is
satisfactory.
Whilst 90% of the Village uses the car as the major means of transport
and 53% of the Village never uses the bus, over three-quarters of the
Village believes that the village bus service is 'inadequate' and
two-thirds report it as being 'unreliable'. The bus service is recognised
as being important however especially to the young and elderly and many
would like to see it improved.
Two-thirds of the Village would favour an improved public transport
system over the private motorcar.
75% of the Village is satisfied with the medical service it gets
although nearly half expressed the sentiment that out of hours services
could be better. Just over half the Village would appreciate a
prescriptions collection service and a local chiropody service.
Over 70% of the Village recognises that the level of traffic in the
Village is too high. Speed cameras, 20mph zones, and more double-yellow
lines were all popular additional measures. Opinion is divided as to
whether more pedestrian crossings are needed and where.
Two-thirds of the Village think that sporting opportunities in Todwick
are good. Over half the Village would like to see better walking trails
and a quarter of the Village wants tennis courts and bike trails.
Two-thirds of the Village believe that dog-fouling remains a problem.
Two-thirds of the Village do not believe the streets are swept often
enough.
Two-thirds of the Village said they are willing to get involved in
neighbourhood watch schemes.
Over 60% are not satisfied with the policing service to the Village.
Just over half the Village believes the road gritting service to be
satisfactory.
Half of the Village thinks that provision for litter disposal is
adequate; half does not.
As is common in this part of the Rotherham Borough, many villagers
would like to see a more accessible modern local swimming pool. A number
of other community facilities are called for including: coffee shop, large
function room, gym/keep fit suite, indoor sports area, bar and creative
hobby classes.
Almost 40% of the Village think that there are areas of the Village
that are damaged and despoiled regularly.
One-third of dog-owners do not use the dog waste bins.
A third of the Village believes that more recycling measures could be
introduced.
Parking and congestion are reported problems in a few locations e.g. at
the shops and by the school. Over 20% of households for instance take
their child to school by car and contribute to short-term congestion. A
large minority of parents reported that they would consider car-sharing or
a 'walking bus' scheme.
1.5 Survey Conclusions
The 2003 Survey has given the opportunity for all the 'niggles' that
people have about life in Todwick to come out. Collectively they represent
quite a range of issues. The Survey confirms too that there is an interest
in village affairs and it has given voice to that interest. Together they
represent an agenda for community action.
If Todwick is to become a better, more functional village community it
needs to develop more of a heart. It must certainly recognise that amongst
its population there are people who are relatively isolated, less well
provided for and less well served. This disadvantage is often because of
age or disability and is compounded by the relative mobility and affluence
of the majority. There is a real danger that the most elderly can be very
isolated in Todwick. There is a real problem too for the young people of
the Village who want to have their own home and family.
A village community needs a physical heart too. Todwick is so laid out
such that, whilst most of it amenities and facilities are near the road
junction towards the middle of the Village, it does not obviously have a
village centre. There is an opportunity with the extension of the village
hall to consider how the village centre around the hall, school and shops
can be better defined and better used. Planting schemes, street furniture,
signage and floral displays can certainly play a part. To this end a draft
Action Plan is proposed that includes:
A Village Character and Design Study
A Traffic Study
Revised Parking Practices
A Walking Strategy
New Road Crossing Points
Improved Public Transport Services
A Footpath Survey
Walking Trails
A Tidy Village Campaign
Further Recycling Initiatives
Young Peoples' Consultation Events
An Extended Village Hall
A Review of Village Facilities and Uses
An Active Citizenship and Leadership Programme
Better Police Liaison and Co-ordination
Improved Street Services
Increased Childcare Provision
For all this to happen and to make an impact, more local people are
needed to help. We have no doubt that other agencies and bodies will be
willing to help an enthusiastic and determined community who are ready to
seize the opportunity.
"The prospects for Todwick are very good. The opportunity to
ensure that Todwick has a prosperous future and offers a good quality of
life for all its inhabitants is, probably, better now than for a long
time."
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