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Local Area Refresh Questionnaire Feedback Meeting
Over 250 questionnaires were delivered to homes in Stoke Hammond and by the deadline of 22nd
February we had 37 responses giving us about a 14% return rate, which I am told is quite good. It
would be interesting to know what the other 213+ households hold as their priorities and whether
the priorities we took forward to the Local Area Forum planning meeting reflects their views too.
The results showed speeding through the village by far the most important priority. 34 respondents
ranked this as important. It must be said that many people linked other priorities to this and that
included HGVs, road improvements and even footpaths. This last item expanded to include cycleways
for safer use of bicycles especially by young people.
The second most important priority was ‘Activities and facilities for young people aged 11+’. 20
respondents ranked this an important priority. Your comments reflected that whilst we have a
regular bus service through the village this did not run late enough for young people to visit nearby
towns and return home later in the evening. With the increasing cost of motoring the transport of
‘children’ by parents was seen as an issue and increased the need for local activities. It must be said
that our younger population are to be congratulated on their good behaviour as not one negative
comment was made with regard to anti‐]social behaviour of youngsters in the village. Good parenting
of course!
Other priorities were quite mixed but interestingly ‘Reduce social isolation for older and vulnerable
people in the community’ by response (21) ranked third.
On 29th February Councillors Mrs Mavis Berrow, Mrs Eileen Curry and Patrick Mullins attended the
meeting at Edlesborough village hall. Our Local Area Forum is known as ‘Great Brickhill, Wing and
Ivinghoe’ and includes the parishes within that area. The meeting was well attended and apart from
parish councillors included representatives from Bucks County Council, Aylesbury Vale District
Council and a very good presence from our local police force.
When the responses from other parishes were collated together the overall priorities reflected
exactly those of Stoke Hammond. ‘Focus groups’ were set up within the meeting to discuss individual
priorities and decide what should go forward for further work and to seek funding. The full feedback
is available on this website.
With regard to traffic calming it was decided to set up a sub group under the Forum to look at this
issue and work with all parishes in the area. The group will consist of representatives of BCC, AVDC
and at the moment Ben Blunt, Vice Chairman of Pitstone Parish Council and Patrick Mullins (as
chairman of the Stoke Hammond Traffic Calming subcommittee) to represent the parishes. We will
keep the parish informed as this develops.
One of the highlights of the meeting was a presentation by the youth group from Cheddington. They
have a Youth Council which in effect is a junior parish council. They were a credit to their village and
had some great ideas relating to the use of school minibuses to be used for social transport when not
in use by the schools that own them.
As a result of their enthusiasm picked up by the rest of us workshops have been arranged by BCC to
discuss engaging with the youth in our villages and Councillors Hazel Turner and Patrick Mullins
attended one of these run by Action4Youth on 27th March. If any youngsters in the village would like
to know more contact us via stokehammondparishcouncil@gmail.com
With regard to ‘Social isolation’ you might find the following comments from the feedback
interesting.
‘Our elderly are fairly well supported by the churches, (coffee mornings, events etc.) WI, Community
Association, Sports Club. Most people watch out for the vulnerable in Stoke Hammond’.
‘Don’t know what’s available for pensioners – but would like to see clubs and societies for them if not
already in place’.
‘There is a high volume of old people in the village perhaps there should be regular visits to check on
them’.
‘Not aware much organised for this group’.
‘With an ageing population upon us schemes must be established to deal with this situation’.
‘Vulnerability in bad weather, socialising possibilities, shopping, general wellbeing, food, heating,
loneliness’.
‘Need a co‐]ordinated policy to support all elements of community (also associated with more
accessible local transport)’
‘Are these people identified and asked what might be useful to them? Perhaps some organised
befriending?’
‘Consider introducing a lunch club once a week with social activities – Age UK could offer help and
advice. This could link to encouraging volunteering within the community or join with other villages
to form social groups etc.’
The overall impression by your councillors coming away from the meeting was that we have much to
be thankful for in Stoke Hammond. But there is always more to do!
Bucks County Council has just responded to the traffic calming priority with a number of interesting
initiatives (see the Traffic Calming Section of the website).
Patrick Mullins
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