Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford

Community Plan Steering Group

Action Plan

Our Community Plan

Loving where we’re living 2013- 2017

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© Published by the Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford Community Plan Steering Group 2013 No part of this report may be reproduced

without the permission of BWLH CP Steering Group or Brimfield and Little Hereford Parish Council All rights reserved

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Contents

Introduction 4

Our Parish 5

Brimfield and Wyson 6

Little Hereford 6

The Steering Group 7

Planning for Real ™ 7

The Questionnaire 8

Summary of the Results 9

Key themes: 9

Brimfield/Wyson Top Ten 9

Little Hereford Top Ten 9

Youth Survey Top Ten 9

The Action Plan 10

Community Safety 10

Economic 10

Environmental 10

Facilities 11

Leisure 12

Youth Survey 13

Where Next? 14

References 15

Appendices 16

Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford

Community Plan 2013-2017

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Introduction

The Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford Community Plan Steering Group is grateful to all of the people and

organisations that have made this Community Plan possible including all the volunteers who helped to run the

Planning for Real ™ events, devised and distributed the questionnaire, attended the Public Meetings and who are

actively involved in delivering the projects identified by the consultations . We are also grateful to Brimfield and

Little Hereford Parish Council for their encouragement and patience, Chris Gooding and Mel Preedy at

Herefordshire Council, Lynda Wilcox at HALC, Sophie Pryce at Community First, Cat Roberts at HCVYS, Cllr John

Stone and Karen Yates, Parish Clerk.

The Community Plan aims to provide a five year framework for community led planning and projects that inspire

people, enhance lives and protect the social, economic and environmental development of the Parish to meet

the current and future needs of all of our community.

It has taken a long time to produce this plan, much longer than any of us could have envisaged and yet, here it is,

and that is a tribute to the tenacity, resilience and determination of the members of the Steering Group to see

the job through to the end. Particular thanks must go to Paul Burnham, Carolyn Sandalls and Charlie Lewis for

their unwavering support and commitment to the process.

Notable successes achieved during the Community Planning process include:

The re-opening of The Roebuck Inn as a traditional village pub

The opening of a new village shop at The Roebuck Inn

An updated Parish Housing Needs Survey

Establishment of a Flood Prevention Group

Regular Big Tidy Up litter picks across the group Parish

You may ask, ‘Was it worth the wait? , we hope you will think so once you have read through the action plan.

There have been surprises along the way, some disappointments, frustrations and a great deal of good humour

and collaboration. The Parish Council have now formally adopted the Action Plan following the results of an

initial feasibility study into the prospects for a leisure track which showed little chance of success in the current

economic climate and achievability of agreement with the landowners.

Nick Comley

Chair

September 2013

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Our Parish

Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford is a group Parish located in North Herefordshire on the border with South

Shropshire and Worcestershire. The two parishes are distinct from each other with Brimfield and Wyson being half

the size of Little Hereford but with twice the population (Census 2001 data).

Little Hereford is characterised by it's rurality. Sparsely populated, (380 with a density of 0.27 persons per hectare

compared with 0.80 in the county) the settlement contains many isolated farms and homes. The Village Hall is the

only secular community building and is well used. Children from Little Hereford may attend different schools in

three local authority areas. There is limited commercial activity outside of agricultural production. There is one pub

which is badly affected by flooding being located next to the river crossing.

Brimfield and Wyson are two villages separated by the A49 but share a similar profile. The population totalled 706

in 2001 with a density of 0.94 compared to the county average of 0.80. Both contain mostly residential housing

although there is limited commercial activity in Brimfield on a small scale with Autogas Developments and a micro

business park including a joinery and antiques trader. The villages are poorly served with both services and

amenities. Transport links are poor, and there are no shops, schools, GP Practice or employment opportunities.

There are two pubs, one being located on the A49 near Woofferton which is currently closed, with the other being

in the centre of Brimfield.

There is a well used Village Hall which provides a social hub and is the venue for the only Post Office services twice

weekly. There is no secular community building in Wyson although the Methodist Chapel is available to non-faith

groups.

The group parish is fortunate to have a sports club which provides sports pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts

and social facilities. Located midway between the parishes the sports club is mostly accessed by car.

There is a strong sense of community throughout the group parish and a good number of social activities including

amateur dramatic societies, toddlers clubs, bingo and whist clubs and the Brimfield Cuppa and a number of active

newsletters distributed by volunteers.

A household survey was conducted in 1999 which revealed many similar needs to those that have come to light

during the Community Planning process begun in 2008. Issues such as flood prevention, speeding, lack of shops,

limited youth facilities and development outside the settlement boundaries remain as concerns today.

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Brimfield and Wyson

The two settlements have a combined population of 745 (ONS Mid-year Estimates 2008) of which 110 are children

under 16 and 205 of pensionable age.

There are 10 lone parent households and 45 pensioners living alone.

350 people are economically active with 190 being inactive, 85 work more than 49 hours per week which

represents 5% more than the Herefordshire average and 8% more than across the West Midlands. (Census 2001).

20 people are in receipt of workless benefits with 10 children living in ‘out of work’ households (DWP 2009, HMRC

2006, CLG 2007).

There are 340 people in work with 45 employed in managerial occupations, 25 in professional occupations, 55 in

associate professional and technical, 45 in admin and secretarial, 70 in skilled trades, 15 in personal services, 15 in

sales and customer service, 30 in process, plant and machine operatives and 35 in elementary occupations.

(Census 2001)

135 people living in Brimfield and Wyson have no formal qualifications which is 4% less than the Herefordshire

average, 125 are qualified to degree level or above, which is 4% above the Herefordshire average.

The health of people living in Brimfield and Wyson is generally good with only 50 reported as having a limiting,

long-term illness. 20 older people receive attendance allowance and 20 receive Disability Living Allowance. (DWP

2009, Census 2001)

There are 310 households in Brimfield and Wyson, 215 households living in detached accommodation which is 40%

higher than the Herefordshire average, 75 in semi-detached, 20 in terraced and 5 in flats or other types of

property. (Census 2001)

Little Hereford

There are 170 households in Little Hereford with a total population of 410, 250 of whom are working age adults,

100 people over 65 and 60 children under 16. (Census 2010)

Only 15 people are in receipt of benefits including housing and council tax benefits, the Parish is not defined as

deprived although 25 are described as ‘income deprived’ with 65 estimated to be in ‘fuel poverty’. People are

generally healthy with only 20 having ‘life limiting’ long-term illness. (ID 2010)

190 people are described as being ‘economically active’ with 85 in full-time employment, 35 in part-time work and

55 self-employed. (Census 2001)

There are 50 ‘professionals’ living in Little Hereford and 40 in managerial roles, 40 in skilled trades and 10 in

administration and a further 10 in ‘elementary occupations’. The proportion of professional and managerial

workers with a level 4 qualification (degree equivalent) is 9% higher than the UK average. (Adjusted Census 2001)

The Parish is sparsely populated and very rural compared to Brimfield and Wyson but there is a great sense of

community and a confident, independent identity.

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The Steering Group

The Steering Group was established in March 2010 with a constitution and the Parish Council established a

secondary bank account in it’s name.

Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford Community Plan Steering Group now consists of a small number of residents

drawn from all settlements. In 2010 there were 26 members of the Steering Group which has fallen to 5 in 2012,

reflecting the gradual reduction in community engagement and resource requirements throughout the Community

Plan process. The Steering Group continues to meet at The Roebuck Inn periodically and are grateful to Phillip and

Jane for their hospitality and accommodation.

The Steering Group has seen it’s numbers ebb and flow considerably in response to local issues including proposed

housing developments and flooding. However, the group has not achieved the large membership which would

make the delivery of the Action Plan objectives more feasible. It is likely that once the final report has been

submitted to the Parish Council that the Steering Group will be disbanded and each action arising from the Action

Plan will be delivered either by the Parish Council or by specific interest groups for separate activities such as an

Allotment Association, Flooding Group, Gardening Club etc.

The Steering Group has been supported throughout the process with the generous help from the Parish Council in

making the Parish Clerk available to provide support to the group, without whose unwavering and steadfast

dedication this Action Plan would not have been achieved.

Planning for Real ™

The Planning for Real™ events were held in July 2010 at Brimfield Village Hall and Little Hereford Village Hall over

consecutive weekends of the 17th

and 18th

, 24th

and 25th.The Planning for Real™ events were disappointingly

attended following widespread promotion by posters, leaflets and newsletter insertions. It is unclear why many

people were not inspired to attend but a lesson learned was of the importance of engaging with other groups to

achieve wider ‘buy in’ to the process which may have resulted in a higher turnout.

The Steering Group mostly consisted of full time working members with limited spare time to undertake the

amount of community engagement work that would have resulted in increased participation. The support from

Parish Council members Robin Barber and Brian Sellars was greatly appreciated at this time in promoting and

organising the Planning for Real™ events.

At Brimfield Village Hall around 35 people attended and at Little Hereford, 19. Issues expected to be raised

included Flooding and Housing, neither of which were significantly raised leading to a limited number of

questions in the resulting residents survey around these topics. Mostly people wanted to ask questions relating

to a need for a village shop, speeding, parking, dog fouling, street lighting, public footpaths, activities for village

halls and cashpoints. It was difficult to identify questions to be asked in the residents survey that would inform a

five year strategic plan, most subjects could be more easily resolved in a much shorter timescale.

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The Questionnaire

The residents survey was devised using only the results of the Planning for Real™ event suggestions and covered

Community Safety, Economic, Environmental, Facilities and Leisure. The Steering Group took the view that to ask

questions without a mandate from the Planning for Real™ events would undermine the validity of the results. In

hindsight it would perhaps have been better to have included subjects such as Housing, Employment, Flooding

and Health and Social Care services which may have informed a more strategic five year plan. As a result the

Action Plan focuses on short-term objectives and less on medium to longer term planning. Therefore the

usefulness of the Community Plan to the Parish Council in informing and influencing the Local Development Plan

is doubtful and unlikely to lead to significant investment in the infrastructure and the built environment across

the Parish.

1500 copies were printed with around 950 being distributed by volunteers in November 2011 across both

Parishes. The completed survey was then collected or deposited at collection points in community buildings. A

supplementary Youth Survey was devised by the Brimfield Youth Club and distributed to 15 young people

attending the Youth Club in November 2011.

There were a total of 427 respondents to the survey. Over a third (37%) of the respondents were over 65 and a

similar proportion (38%) were between 50 and 65; 7% were aged under 35. Of the 417 respondents who “ticked”

where they lived, 174 (42%) were resident in Brimfield, 154 (37%) lived in Wyson and the remaining 89 (21%)

came from Little Hereford.

Of the young people attending the youth club 15 (60%) chose to participate in the survey. Those participating

were aged between 11 and 13, noticeably the older members chose not to participate and the findings should

not be seen as representative of their views. Although youth workers had previously informed the members that

the survey would be taking place it was clear that few, if any, understood the purpose or context of the survey.

To engage with the older members it is clear that they need to be approached separately to the younger

members and in a different setting, such as education, which may reduce the ‘embarrassment’ factor. With

hindsight it would have been better to have conducted separate surveys for different age groups in two rooms

with youth staff facilitating in addition to Steering Group member.

Those taking part were asked to create three groups and provided with pens and paper, a spokesperson for each

group was appointed. Nick asked the groups to think of things that would improve the lives of young people

living in Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford and agree a ‘Top Ten’ list of ideas. Having agreed their ‘Top Ten’

the groups fed back their ideas to the other groups and a final ‘Top Ten’ was formulated.

It was clear that most were thinking of their attendance at Youth Club when reflecting on the needs of young

people across the Parish and there were few considerations of external factors.

The residents and youth survey are attached to the Action Plan in the appendices.

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Summary of the Results

Key themes: Very distinct responses across the parish depending on whether respondents lived in Brimfield,

Wyson or Little Hereford, higher degree of agreement between Brimfield and Wyson

The report shows an expected high level of No Opinion responses where the respondents did not consider the

question relevant to them e.g. Brimfield residents had No Opinion about Little Hereford matters and vice versa

There were a large number of additional comments included in the appendices showing the high level of interest or

opinion about particular issues

Many comments showed a reluctance to pay more for additional services such as dog litter bins

Brimfield/Wyson Top Ten

Shop 85% 300

Growing and Selling Scheme 68% 359

High Speed Broadband 67% 187

Cashpoint 66% 211

Community Composting Scheme 56% 275

Bulk Fuel Purchasing Scheme 55% 222

Cycle Track Disused Railway 53% 131

Improved Noticeboards and Maps 52% 261

Community Cafe 45% 118

Planting Schemes 41% 110

Little Hereford Top Ten

Shop 63% 191

High Speed Broadband 51% 108

Growing and Selling Scheme 48% 143

Cycle Track Disused Railway 41% 73

Speed limit 40 mph 40% 114

Fitness Trail Disused Railway 39% 69

Village Website 32% 62

Wildlife Habitat Creation 30% 64

Improved Noticeboards and Maps 29% 78

Cashpoint 28% 55

Youth Survey Top Ten

Dedicated youth building with sofas, TV, Xbox, Computer etc

Better playground with Skate and BMX park

Shop (Sweets, Skates, Fizzy Drinks and Food)

More Youth Club trips

Wildlife pond

Football/hockey pitch

More covered outside space for young people/Youth Shelter

Scooter project

Mini X Factor activity

Scarecrow display weekend

Brimfield Village Shop at The Roebuck Inn

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The Action Plan

Community Safety

Speed Limits

A number of locations across both Parishes were identified as of concern to local residents due to speeding

traffic these included, Little Hereford, Brimfield Cross and Brimfield Centre.

Action Point Parish Council to request Speed Survey from Amey, contractor for Herefordshire Council, to be set

up at these locations to establish the scale of the problem and consider options for solutions including rental of

or potential purchase of Speed Indication Devices although recent price increases may be prohibitive

Street Lighting

Street lighting through Brimfield centre was considered to be in appropriate as a residual issue arising from the

A49 bypass which resulted in high metal lamp posts through Brimfield village which are not proportionate to the

traffic or pedestrian need.

Action Point Parish Council to request Herefordshire Council to replace existing sodium (orange) lighting with

low-wattage LED (white) lightbulbs in the first phase of a county-wide initiative to replace all lamps with LED

alternatives

Economic

Shop

Dating back to the first community survey of 1999 there was a desire expressed to see a village shop established

in Brimfield. The Questionnaire results in 2011 showed continued support for a shop from Brimfield, Wyson and

Little Hereford residents. Discussions between Cllr John Stone and The Roebuck Inn tenants led to the opening of

a new village shop in September 2012 in the annexe to the pub. The shop has been well supported since it’s

opening and the Action Plan needs to do nothing more than to encourage all Parishioners to use the shop and

pub to ensure their continued viability.

Growing and Selling Scheme

As a result of the Questionnaire Survey a Public Meeting has been held and the Teme Valley Allotment

Association is to be registered as a Multi-stakeholder Co-operative to include members from across South

Shropshire, West Worcestershire and North Herefordshire. Having contacted Herefordshire Council the Parish

Council report that there is no publicly owned land in the Parish that could be made available for allotments.

Action Point Parish Council to continue to identify and secure land for allotments. If allotment land is unavailable

then a working group would be established to develop the prospects for a Community Land Trust to create a

Community Agriculture Project where people could rent strips on an annual basis.

Cashpoint

Having made enquiries with the landlord of the Temeside Inn where a cashpoint is installed it is unlikely that one

would be installed in to The Roebuck due to the high costs and transaction fees. Continuing enquiries with the

Post Office will be made to explore the possibility of a cash point at Brimfield Village Hall.

Action Point Parish Council to take a lead role in approaching the Brimfield Village Hall committee and the Post

Office

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Environmental

Community Composting Scheme

Any Community Composting Scheme is likely to be integrated into the developments of community land or

allotment development. It is likely that any scheme would be a ‘deposit’ rather than a ‘collection’ service but may

lead to grant applications for community shredding and mulching equipment and vermin proof tumbling

composters.

Action Point Teme Valley Allotment Association to progress with development of community land or allotments

Bulk Fuel Purchasing Scheme

Community First, Herefordshire Rural Community Council is developing a bulk buying oil consortium and this could

be extended to wood and LPG. Possible role for the Parish Council in co-ordinating and promoting take up of existing

schemes.

Action Point Parish Council to progress with Community First in Herefordshire and promote scheme locally

Wildlife Habitats and Planting Schemes

The creation of or improvements to existing wildlife habitats and planting schemes is likely to be achieved through

the Teme Valley Allotment Association as part of the development of community land or allotments. The Steering

Group has been in contact with Herefordshire Nature Trust who carried out an environmental survey of common

areas in the Parish several years ago. No action resulted from their report and no use has been made of the

information provided. The proposed new local community information boards will enable this information to be

prominently displayed.

Action Point Community Plan Steering Group to work with Parish Council to identify locations for noticeboards and

funding streams to commission their design, construction and installation to incorporate local environmental and

community information

Facilities

Broadband

The upgrading of broadband infrastructure in Herefordshire is due to be completed by 2015 funded by central

government and is dependent on the rollout schedule of BT. There is no action that the community could take that

would be economically viable, such as wireless broadband, that would deliver any comparable benefits sooner or at

an affordable cost that would not be superceded by 4G services or cable and exchange upgrading over the same

time period. Local campaigning for prioritised upgrading may be successful in the short term but long term benefits

are dependent on national policies and improvement programmes.

Action Point The Parish Council to champion the cause of improved broadband infrastructure within the Local

Development Planning process consultations.

Community Cafe

With the closure of the Little Chef at Woofferton the only local cafe has closed and while it would be possible for a

community group to assume the lease and running of the site, it’s location outside of the Parish and away from the

main centres of population make it highly unlikely that a group would come forward to take it on.

Contd.

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Facilities contd

Brimfield Cuppa is a great example of community activity that brings people together for a drink, a bite to eat and

a chat. Should the Brimfield Cuppa organisers wish to increase the frequency of the events there is likely to be

support from the community. However, there is no need for this to be in a plan and the Steering Group

recommend that no further action is required to create a Community Cafe in Brimfield. With the re-opening of The

Roebuck in Brimfield there is sufficient provision of food and refreshments in the village.

Little Hereford village hall may wish to replicate the Brimfield Cuppa model but this is a decision for the

management committee and not something the Community Plan Steering Group needs to put into a five year plan.

Whilst there is an aspiration for a community cafe in the Parish suitable premises would be hard to find away from

the village halls or churches and the Steering Group recommend that there is no need to establish a working group

to look further into the feasibility. If the leisure track were to become a reality then this issue could be looked at

again should an opportunity arise for a cafe as part of increased tourism.

No further action required

Village Website

The existing Parish website is not well used or its features or content updated regularly. The domain name is

obscure and unlikely to score highly in a Google search ranking. Much could be done to improve the site and

search engine optimisation. A working group could be established if there is sufficient interest from Parishioners to

volunteer in such a project. The Action Plan will highlight the opportunity and suggest that the Parish Council

request that interested parties come forward to develop a working group. Funding may be available for an

innovative community website from the Nominet Trust that could provide grant funding to support this process.

Action Plan Parish Council to request interested parties come forward to establish a working group to develop and

manage a community website.

Leisure

Disused Railway Leisure Track

Considerable progress has been made in identifying the landowners and discussions were held locally to determine

the achievability and viability of developing the leisure track. It is clear that the cost of re-instating the track would

be prohibitive and at this time it is highly unlikely that funding would be available from Sustrans to undertake this

project. The proposal is that whilst the leisure track would not form part of the formal Community Led Plan a

Working Group would be established to continue to explore the prospects for alternatives.

Action Point To establish a working group to continue to explore the potential for alternatives to the restitution of

the existing Disused Railway Leisure Track

Noticeboards

A request for quotations for a noticeboard specification has been circulate to local tradespersons. Unfortunately

the Herefordshire Council Community Pride grant scheme is suspended to new applications. From quotations

received an application for funding may be made to Awards for All by the Steering Group. If grant funding is

awarded the Community Noticeboards will be commissioned through a tender process. Noticeboards will include

the information provided by Hereford Nature Trust and feature walk leaflets and information provided by Brian

Harris.

Action Point Steering Group to apply for Awards for All funding for Noticeboards and commission design,

construction and installation in partnership with the Parish Council.

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Youth Survey

Since the Youth Survey took place, the BWLH Youth Club has regrettably ceased to operate. As a consequence, a

number of the interests and intents expressed in the Youth Survey Top Ten are not currently viable.

It should be noted however that several of the concerns raised coincide with those of the adult population. Most

notably this includes the desire for a village shop (third on the list) which is admirably fulfilled by the shop at the

Roebuck Inn.

The suggestion of a Wildlife Pond (item 5) could be incorporated into the various wildlife and conservation

schemes under discussion, especially with reference to Brimfield and Wyson Commons, whilst a Scarecrow

weekend (item 10) could be included in the activities put on by Brimfield Village Hall or Brimfield Show or become

part of an existing event such as the Annual Fete.

It is the recommendation of the Steering Group that, subject to appropriate Leadership support, consideration be

given to re-establishing the Youth Club and to re-surveying the community’s youth population to establish

appropriate drivers for the club’s successful operation.

Findings

‘Top Ten’ suggestions (in order of preference):

Dedicated youth building with sofas, TV, Xbox, computer etc.

Better playground with Skate and BMX park

Shop (Sweets, Skates, Fizzy Drinks and Food)

More Youth Club trips

Wildlife pond

Football/hockey pitch

More covered outside space for young people/Youth Shelter

Scooter project

Mini X Factor activity

Scarecrow display weekend

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Where Next?

To progress the Action Plan a number of working groups to take matters forward supported by, and reporting to,

the Parish Council will be established.

It is expected that a number of the proposals would also be included in the Neighbourhood Plan which has been

approved and is awaiting the Herefordshire Council Core Strategy to be approved so that the process may begin

in 2013.

Speeding

Amey have carried out surveys at three locations, the average speed checks did not show sufficient concern to

warrant funding or installation of SID’s. The Neighbourhood Plan will include transport which would encompass

speeding.

Street Lighting

Herefordshire Council have acknowledged that the replacement of the sodium lamps with low energy halogen

bulbs

Growing and Selling Scheme

To be integrated into the Allotment Association/Community Land Trust proposals using the Brimfield Cuppa and

Roebuck Inn shop to distribute.

Cash Point

Cashback currently available from the Post Office and may be available at the Roebuck Inn

Bulk Buying Scheme

Promote Oil Buying scheme http://www.comfirst.org.uk/community_bulk_buying_scheme1 and encourage Community

First to develop LPG and Wood and Wood Chip Pellets

Wildlife Habitats and Planting Schemes

To progress through the Community Land Trust. To approach the Head Teacher at Orleton Primary School to

engage with local children in developing wildlife habitats and planting scheme.

Community Website

There are a number of pre-exisiting community websites that would benefit from improved co-ordination and it

is intended to invite a voluntary

Noticeboards

Quotations were invited for submission to manufacture a series of noticeboards that incorporate local maps and

area information. Walking guides are to be printed and made available across the Parish for which we are very

grateful to Brian Harris.

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References

Brimfield Parish Questionnaire Report Herefordshire Council Research Team April 2011

Rural Place Profile OCSI Evidencing Rural Need ACRE 2012

Rural Place Profile OCSI Evidencing Rural Need Brimfield ACRE 2012

Community Plan Questionnaire BWLH Community Plan Steering Group 2011

Community Plan Youth Survey BWLH Community Plan Steering Group 2011

Cllr John Stone Cutting the ribbon on the newly opened Brimfield Village Shop

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Appendices

Copy of the Community Plan Household Survey

Copy of the Youth Survey

Copy of the Brimfield, Wyson and Little Hereford Community Plan Report

Volunteers at the Planning for Real Event.

We are eternally grateful to all of those volunteers who gave up their time to help out.