LITTLE MUNDEN PARISH COUNCIL
VILLAGE APPRAISAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Thanks to all of you who completed and returned the questionnaire - adult and youth. It is going to take some weeks to analyse the responses - the initial work being done by volunteers, the final report by, probably, the statistical department of the University of Hertfordshire. Thereafter we propose a public meeting, resulting in an action plan. But you may be interested in our interpretation of the results so far:
the most important problems about the local parish environment are: road maintenance (potholes) and dog mess.
there is significant concern about the likely adverse effect in the summer of bi-weekly collection of food waste.
improved frequency of local buses would make people use public transport more, though a number are saying that nothing would encourage them to use the bus.
there is an almost equal split between those advocating traffic calming measures and those who don't want them. Chicanes would hamper farm vehicles, speed bumps (unless they are like those through Lemsford) harm cars.
several people want street lighting in various places, but many think what is in place at the moment is adequate; no more light pollution.
both community policing and Neighbourhood Watch are stated to be effective measures for reducing crime, though we are fortunate not to suffer from much, if any, actual crime in our villages; the incidence of anti-social behaviour is low.
most are satisfied with the choice of secondary schools, but the transport arrangements (no school bus to Presdales and Richard Hale and the unfair cost thereof) are criticised.
few people use the listing of local professionals on the Mundens website, though they do try to use local tradesmen where they can.
few complaints about the Memorial Hall.
no-one (almost) is interested in becoming an assistant or leader within a youth group, nor would be interested in joining with others to help set up a new club, activity group or society. And whilst half of respondents expressed willingness to join in with community activities, few specified how they might help (unable to commit because of time pressures?).
allotments are seen as an important benefit - can we provide more? ½ size?
difficult to see how church can play a greater role with an 'absentee' vicar.
parishioners are generally fit and well, so few disabilities.
additional clubs, activity groups and societies suggested include youth meeting place (with coffee bar, table tennis), tennis, skateboarding.
hardly any dissatisfaction with the Parish Council and generally no problems with either East Herts Council or Herts CC, other than state of roads (potholes, lack of gritting last winter, flooding).
few want more influence on key issues via the PC, nor see the need for the PC to have greater influence on decisions affecting the villages. They would, however, like to be better informed by access to minutes (it is clearly not universally known that these are published on the Mundens website) and by a wider range of articles in the newsletter. A few would be willing to pay a little more Council Tax to help improve things.
communication is, as so often, key. People generally want to be informed, but not involved, and there is clearly a need for more information/clarification via both the newsletter and website, e.g.: split of responsibilities between LMPC, EHC, HCC; dates of next PC meeting and prιcis of PC minutes in newsletter; how often do PCSOs visit parish and when (evenings important); what can and can't be recycled through ARC; register of local professionals and tradesmen; update of Neighbourhood Watch details (local contacts, e-mail addresses of participants); comprehensive listing of local clubs, societies, what they do and when; farming matters.
People love our rural location (including walks, wildlife, peace and quiet), the feeling of safety and the Dane End village shop. And they want the pub to reopen, with good food.
The Youth of Dane End wants to visit the cinema and wants a youth meeting place, to skateboard and to play tennis, but can't do any of these because there is no local facility and an irregular bus service to Stevenage, Hertford and Ware. The disadvantages of living in Dane End are that there's nothing to do (it's boring) - it's a long way from anywhere - and to do anything (skateboard, hang out, see your mates, go shopping) you have to travel by bus - which doesn't work. And there's no mobile 'phone reception.
REGIONAL SERVICES - who's responsible for what? For every £100 you pay in Council Tax:
£77.25 goes to Hertfordshire County Council (education, care services, road maintenance, libraries and the fire service),
£10.20 goes to the Hertfordshire Police Authority,
£11.00 goes to East Herts Council (revenues & benefits, environment, planning & parks, refuse, cleansing & recycling, car parks & transport, pools, leisure & community and other) and
£1.55 goes to the Parish Council (allotments, roadside seats & shelters, monitoring parochial charities, consideration of planning applications, maintenance of recreation ground (Horses' Meadow), churchyard, public walks & war memorial, communication facilities (Church & Parish Newsletter, notice boards and The Mundens website ), litter bins/picking and encouragement of village clubs/societies with athletic, social or educational objectives).