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Parish Plan Survey

After the fantastic response to the Parish Plan survey resulting in excess of 450 surveys being returned, the reality of trying to analyse them quickly became apparent! However thanks to the sterling efforts of a small team, comprising Dave & Rosemary Harries, Diana Cockrill, myself and the Clerk, Emma Bignell, we were able to produce sufficient data to make very interesting reading. The findings were then presented at the public exhibition on 1^st May at the Community Centre. Special thanks to Brenda Inch, Alan Kent and Terry Ward who helped to mount the displays. Once again the village showed its support for the event and we had a steady stream of visitors all afternoon right up to the close at 8.00 p.m. – the full results are available on the LINK website for anybody who could not attend on the day.

Meanwhile here is a brief summary of some of the key points:-

·        There is a strong requirement for social housing but most people felt it should be restricted to Bugbrooke residents.

·        Very few people admitted to driving their children to school but the actual congestion suggests otherwise.

·        Both the surgery & pharmacy are valued for the service they provide although there is a need for a dentist.

·        The bus service only rated adequate and destinations such as Towcester were wanted.

·        The two biggest traffic issues were speeding and inconsiderate parking which were of no real surprise.

·        In this green age most people are recycling but the frequency of collection of the black bin was of concern.

·        HGV’s and motor cycle scrambling were the biggest nuisance for noise disturbance.

·        Out of town retail parks were by far the most popular destination for shopping.

·        Link is the most used source of village information.

·        Fish & Chips or a take away were high on list for other food outlets.

·        Finally speeding was considered the most important issue that parishioners wanted the Council to address.

 I would like to finish this month by making two points, the first of which is that all the costs for producing the surveys, their analysis, the organising of the exhibition and the ultimate cost to produce the ‘Parish Plan’ itself are all covered by a £3000 grant obtained from Defra via Northamptonshire Acre and of course voluntary time donations. This effectively leads on to my second point, which is really a plea, the Parish Plan should be ‘created by the community, for the community’ and we therefore need more parishioners to get involved at this stage to progress some of the issues and aspirations that have come forward from the survey. If you feel this is something you would like to play a more active role in, then do contact the Clerk at the Parish Office or any Councillor. We have started the ball rolling but we need you to actually take it forward & create your plan for Bugbrooke.  

Phil Bignell, Parish Council Chairman      

Housing - There is a strong requirement for social housing but most people felt it should be restricted to Bugbrooke residents.

Education