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Kessingtland Parish Plan 2004
KESSINGLAND PARISH PLAN Foreword by Bob Blizzard MP This plan sets out what the people of Kessingland want for their village. Because of the thorough and comprehensive consultation that has been carried out to formulate the plan, we can be sure that it accurately reflects the aspiration and ambition of the community. It is also realistic. I congratulate the Parish Council and in particular the dedicated team that worked so hard to ask people for their views and to draw up this village plan. They deserve all our thanks. It was an important task to carry out, which is why the government, via the Countryside Agency, made funding available through the "vital villages" initiative. The plan contains no real surprises, but its formulation significantly strengthens the case for what Kessingland needs. Kessingland has the population of a small town, but only the service infrastructure of a large village. Although it is situated close to Lowestoft, the community of Kessingland is large enough to merit more of its own services in the village. The plan now has to be turned into reality. It will be important for all organizations and representatives at all levels to work together to achieve the goals that are so clearly set out here. Together we can make Kessingland a better place. It is a privilege to be asked to write this foreword. I hope that the people of Kessingland will support their Parish Council as they lead the way. Foreword by Suffolk County Councillor Tony Andrews. The village of Kessingland has grown from the separate Beach and Street communities, into a far more mixed society of over 4,000 inhabitants.The need for modern facilities for all age groups, and a vastly improved infrastructure (roads, sewers lighting, parking etc.) has been recognised by all the local residents who have contributed significantly to the Village Plan and the Local Action Transport plan.A more up to date approach to local government has meant that Suffolk County Council, Waveney District Council and the Parish Council now work closely together, and include all the local institutions in the process of planning. The Police have continued to make a valuable contribution and have a vital role to play in the maintenance of a high quality of life for the area.It has been especially pleasing to find such a huge response from local residents whose ideas and comments are essential to meeting the real needs of the Community. It will be for them to both enjoy and maintain the wide range of facilities that emerge.This is a long-term development, which alongside other initiatives will greatly improve the quality of life for the people of Kessingland and those who enjoy making visits to our village.I wholeheartedly support the Village plan. Tony Andrews Suffolk County Council. District Councillors Statement. Firstly we would like to thank the Kessingland Parish Council for all the hard work they have done to bring this Parish Plan into fruition, as well as to thank the people of Kessingland for completing and returning the questionnaires.The Parish plan is a very comprehensive document that will assist your elected officials to guide their respective organisations in developing Kessingland in accordance with the wishes of the people.We your elected representatives on the District Council will endeavour to play our part to ensure that the people of Kessingland are properly represented. Jamie Starling Bruce Provan Waveney District Council Parish Chairman's Statement I am a fairly new Parish Council Chairperson, 2004/5 being my second term, but I have been a Parish Councillor since February 2001. Local government to me is an extremely important issue and is also accessible to everyone. Its not enough to sit back and say "they" haven't done something to the roads or "they" shouldn't have passed those plans or the universal favourite "why don't they do something about it!" We are fortunate in Kessingland that we have a number of people who don't wait for "them" to do something but take things into their own hands. It you wait for "they" you may well find that "they" made the sort of decisions that are inappropriate for the Community as "they" simply don't know the Community well enough to understand the problems and needs required. It is this expression "understand the problems and needs" of the Community, which prompted the Parish Council in liaison with the Doctors, based at the Surgery, to look at the infrastructure of Kessingland in respect of Health and Social issues. The answer was to produce a Parish Plan. After seeking the assistance of the Countryside Agency and Suffolk Acre, the finance was put in place to fund the project and following a Public Meeting in March 2003 the project was given its support by those present and a Steering group was formed. The Steering Group is a group of people taking responsibility for their own Community. It sounded like a good idea at the time, doing a village survey and seeing what people want. That phrase in no way reflects the huge amount of work undertaken by the Steering Group. Firstly in order to get good and useful information, the right questions have to be asked and it took a lot of time, thought and effort to work these out. Then the questionnaire had to be clearly designed, printed, distributed to every household and collected again. Finally it had to be collated and the results made public. A Public Meeting was held on the 22nd June 2004 to discuss the final results and draft plan. Those present had a lively meeting; with some things added to the draft plan and at the end of the evening the Plan was agreed. It was agreed that a Working Party be set up to look at the issues and liaise with all necessary agencies to ensure that all the action points are implemented and funding secured for these projects. The Steering group will still retain a watching brief reporting back to the Parish Council. Because of this Plan and its content I hope that every decision made with regards to Kessingland, at Parish, District and County level and with other agencies will be taken with greater knowledge and to the benefit of all residents in the Community. With this snapshot of what the people in the Community of Kessingland think in the year 2004, there is no excuse why the infrastructure cannot be improved along with the resident?s quality of life. Liam Martin Chairman Kessingland Parish Council Steering Committee Members Liam Martin (Chairman) - Parish Councillor Jean Purkis (Vice-Chair) - Parish Councillor Jill Wells (Publicity) - Age Concern Kate McGee - Parish Councillor Maureen Long (Publicity) - Editor Kessingland/Broadland Times Michelle Mouzer - Parish Councillor - Youth Rep Michael Sutton- Proprietor Kessingland Cabs Rev. Stephen Collier - St Edmunds Church Rev. Joan Oddy - St Edmunds Church Susan Morgan - Parish Councillor Tony Andrews - County Councillor Norman Hodges - District Councillor ( up to Nov. 2003) Jamie Starling - District Councillor John Millar - Resident Secretary/Treasurer. Lesley Beevor - Parish Council Clerk CHRONOLOGY 6-11-2002 Dr Drane Kessingland Surgery wrote to the Parish Council re lack of infrastructure and the need for a 'Needs Analysis' for the village - Parish Council already aware of Vital Villages Parish Plan. 12-12-'02 Parish Council register intent with the Countryside Agency to obtain funding for a Parish Plan project under the Vital Villages Scheme. 13-03-2003 Public Meeting - Steering group formed , their brief was to look at all aspects of Kessingland's infrastructure, in particular health, social and leisure issues. 15-05-'03 Application to the Countryside Agency for funding. 1-08-'03 Funding grant of £4370 to carry out work on the Plan. Sept. '03 Questionnaire drawn up from work undertaken by Steering Group sub-committees in the 6 months since Public Meeting. 18/20-10-'03 Questionnaires circulated by hand to every household in Kessingland. Beginning Nov '03 Questionnaires collected - 55% out of 1900 returned [ 1050 ] March 2004 After the data had been received back from the analyst - converted into draft interim report - considered by Steering Group and amendments made draft plan drawn up. May 2004 Interim Report circulated to every household with the May/June edition of the Kessingland and Broadland Times. 19-06-'04 Public Presentation of Parish Plan data. 22-06-'04 Public Meeting to discuss the proposals contained within the draft plan, additions made by those present and Plan adopted.
Kessingland - A brief history and background Kessingland covers an area of 97 square hectares and is situated 4 miles south ofLowestoft and 7 miles north of Southwold. Kessingland is a former fishing village with unsuspected depths of historical "treasure". The Doomsday Book identifies it as Rodenhall, an important town back in 1086. Both Palaeolthic and Neolithic implements have been unearthed here and remains of an ancient forest lies buried on the sea-bed. The "Portu of Kessinglande" disappeared from recorded history in the 14th century, then the estuary stretched right up to the Latymer Dam on the A12. Today the marshland has taken over after shingle beds silted up the estuary. The Romans used the harbour and the Viking raiders came ashore to winter at Frostenden. At the time of the Norman Conquest 22,000 herrings a year were exacted in taxation from Kessingland's fisheries. With the loss of the harbour, decay set in and the population dwindled, the plague took away a seventh of its population and Kessingland declined. Its great church was also in ruins, until rebuilt in the 16th century and dedicated to St.Edmund.The village was for many years split into two parts, "the Street" and "the Beach". The rivalry between the farmers and those with commercial interests on "the Street" and the fishermen of "the Beach" was intense.After the decline of the fishing industry it became a village where people moved to from major towns to retire, tourism also came to the village by way of caravan parks and holiday camps.Between 1969 and 1970 the Lloyd's Avenue Estate was built, effectively joining the two parts of the village together. Development continued to spread with the construction of another estate east of Wash Lane towards the Beach.In 1961 the combined population of Kessingland "Street" and "Beach" was 1883, this increased with the construction of the Lloyd's Avenue Estate and in 1971 stood at 2836. In the year 2004 the population now stands at 4211 residing in 1868 dwellings.The population almost doubles in the holiday season with the arrival of holidaymakers visiting the holiday camps and caravan sites situated in KessinglandKessingland doesn't havewns to retire, tourism also came to wns to retire, tourism also came to any industry apart from a small engineerillage by way of caravan parks and hing company and is reliant on the area's tourism trade as a main source of income. There are 2 Post Offices, 4 Public Houses, a Working Mens club, 2 small supermarkets, a butchers, a chemist, a doctors surgery, 2 garages, a petrol service station ,a small number of shop premises and a Community Centre.It is the doctors surgery, health services and education that are beginning to show signs of not being able to cope within the existing infrastructure. For example out of a total population of 4211 :- 25% are people with limiting long term illness l 12.5% are people who are providing unpaid care for the sick and elderly There are 199 children under the age of 4 years 570 children between the ages of 5 years and 15 years 25%l of the population are over the age of 65 years 26% of the population are under the age of 24 years
Aims and Objectives In November 2002 the Parish Council were contacted by the Doctors Surgery about their concerns at an ever increasing workload being placed on them by an ever increasing population and not having the infrastructure in place to manage existing services. The Parish Council had already looked at the prospect of carrying out a Parish Plan, the fact that the two coincided increased the urgency to get something done. Kessingland is a village that has an ever increasing elderly retired population at one end of the scale and a young youth element at the other end. In between are the young parents, single parents, professional, business people and the unemployed. All these elements of the community expect to have adequate services to sustain a reasonable standard of living, whether it be visiting medical services for the elderly, employment advice and counselling for the youth or issues for the young who are trying to find adequate affordable housing. The whole issue of Kessinglands infrastructure was brought into question. In December 2002 the Parish Council registered their intent with the countryside agency to obtain funding for a Parish plan. The terms of reference were to improve the infrastructure in the village with regards to health, leisure and transport issues. Methodology Initially to get this project started the Parish Council took the lead informing the local community by distributing a circular to every household in the village informing them of a public meeting to discuss the concerns of the Parish Council and the local Doctors Surgery. This was backed up by articles in the local press. On the 13th March 2003 a public meeting took place with approximately 100 residents, including the youth of the village. Also present were Annette Gray from Suffolk Acre, Martyn Burnside from Waveney District Council, and County Councillor Tony Andrews. Following the meeting which agreed that such a project should be undertaken, a number of volunteers came forward to make up a Steering Group, to take the project forward. This was made up of religious representatives, County and District councillors, Parish councillors, a representative from the PatientsParticipation Group, representatives of the local youth club and a cross section of people from the Community. Not all those volunteering stayed the course, for various personal reasons some resigned after a short period of time. After their first meeting the Steering group decided that the way forward was through the means of a questionnaire, this to cover all aspects of the community. To assist in this, the Steering Group through the Countryside Agency obtained a computer programme from which it was able to draw up a questionnaire of 90 questions, not all of them were from the programme, some were specifically chosen by the Steering Group to cover local issues. A tremendous amount of hard work was put in by the Steering Group between the date of the Public meeting and October 2003, when the Questionnaire was finally circulated to every household in the village. About 1900 questionnaires were circulated and in November 1050 were returned - there had been a 55% response. In addition the Youth of the village did their own questionnaire, the questions were very much of their own choosing, but did include some of the major issues covered in the adult questionnaire. Having received the questionnaires back from the Community, they were sent to Call-Saxmundham Management Group (Ros McSweeney) where the results were analysed. They were then returned to the steering group in December 2003 for their information. From the results of the questionnaire and after deliberation by the Steering Group, in March 2004 the results were converted into an interim report, which in May 2004 was circulated to every household in Kessingland. The report was circulated with the Kessingland and Broadland Times. On the 19th June 2004 there was a Public Presentation of the draft Parish Plan and on the 22nd June 2004, there was a Public Meeting to discuss the results and the way forward. Those members of the public who attended heard from Mr Nigel Baker-Querrell (Suffolk County Council Projects Dept) and Mr Martyn Burnside( Waveney District Council. Having asked for some additions to the proposed draft plan,those present agreed that the Plan should move forward, with some of those present agreeing to become Working Party members Consultation Results The Questionnaire that was sent to every household was divided into the following categories Household Section - completed by 1 member of the household Personal Section - completed by up to 6 occupants of the household [ this refers to all of the following sections] Health and Social Services Housing Emergency and other Services Social and Entertainment Information and Communication Retail Services and other facilities Sports and Leisure Religion Employment, Training and Business Local Government Education Environment Transport Conclusion. This has been the only survey to be conducted by the Community in Kessingland covering such a wide variety of issues, outside of the National Census. From the results of the consultation, it became obvious to the Steering group that certain subjects were more important to the Community than others, and it was these issues that the group focused on when looking at the draft of the Parish Plan. In addition there were issues raised at the public meeting which those present wanted included, and now form part of the Parish plan proposals. The Parish Plan What follows are the proposals that the Community of Kessingland, including the Youth, wish to see fulfilled so that the infrastructure, quality of life and services are improved to an acceptable standard to the benefit of the whole Community.As it is going to be a major project within the village over the next few years, the new library building proposals feature in some of the main issues. Issue 1. Education and Social :-To provide new library/resource premises in order that the existing library can be restored back to the school, and the resource centre can be used by the Community. Action :- This project is already underway with the Suffolk County Council, there have been a number of working party meetings with the Parish Council , Waveney District Council, representatives from the Doctor's Surgery and members of the school being present. The funding for the project is being co-ordinated by Suffolk County Council's Project Department. This project will continue to be monitored by the Parish Council and the Community Working Party . Issue 2. Health :- To provide a health service that meets the ever increasing demand and requirements of the Community. To provide the infrastructure which will make provisions to accommodate the following facilities:- District Nurse Health Visitor Chiropody Day Centre One Stop Shop. Action :-It is proposed that these facilities will be accommodated in the new library/resource Centre, and that this would take some of the pressure of the resources available at the Doctors Surgery. Because the library is still in the early stages of discussion, it was thought that these services could still be made available using temporary premises such as the Community Centre or St.Edmunds Church hall. It would be up to the Community Working Party, with support of the Patients Participation Group to move this issue on. Issue 3 :- Social :- To provide social services, counselling and pension advice. Action :- This issue is again linked to the new library/resource centre. There will be space available to encourage such agencies as the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Department of Work and Pensions and DIAL to hold "surgeries" once or twice a week for consultations to assist with the needs of the Community. At present these services are only available in Lowestoft, which is alright if you are fit or drive a car. If you are elderly, a mother with young children, or suffer from some physical disability, the only way to get to these services is by public transport.Again until the library project is complete, there is no reason why these services cannot be brought into the village using the Community Centre or Church Hall as a temporary home, to get started.It would be again be the Community Working Party assisted by the Parish Council to get this issue moving by liaising with the various agencies and explaining the wishes of the Community. Issue 4:- Adult Employment:- To provide more employment and employment advice within Kessingland. Action :- This requires consultation with all local businesses and the Department of Work and Pensions to ascertain if more employment can be encouraged in Kessingland and to hold Job Centre sessions re employment advice. At the moment the advice can only be obtained by attending offices in Lowestoft and therefore for the reasons stated previously, can this service be encouraged to use the new library/resource centre on a "surgery basis". It will need the Community Working Party to liaise with the Department of Work and Pensions, local businesses and Waveney District (Tourism Board) to evaluate the issues and ascertain its viability. Issue 5:- Youth Employment: To provide Careers advice and Vocational Training. Action:-This issue was specifically raised by the Youth if the village in their questionnaire. Again this is something that can be accommodated in the new library building on the same basis as the previous issues. It would mean liaising with the local schools, Connexions, Suffolk County Council (Education), Parish Council, Waveney District Council and the Department of Work and Pensions. Again the Community Working Party would be involved and until the library is ready there is no reason why temporary premises like the Community Centre of the Church Hall cannot be used in order to get this issue off the ground. Issue 6 :- Education:- 1) To provide a place outside of school for private study and homework. 2) To provide access to the Internet and the use of Information Technology. Action:- These two issues again can be incorporated within the new library premises once completed. Both have originated from the Youth Questionnaire and the Parish Council is in discussions with Suffolk County Council to ensure these facilities will be available. Issue 7 :- Information and Communication :- Notice Boards in Kessingland to advertise events and unemployment vacancies. Action :- This requires the provision of Notice boards in areas where they can be visible to all the Community, and they will have to be maintained and kept up to date. The location of these Boards can be located in prominent public places such as the Community Centre, Doctors Surgery, Working Mens Club and the Library. The Parish Council working with the Dept. of Works and Pensions, local groups and businesses would seek to move this issue forward. In order to build the new Library which would accommodate all the preceding issues, the County Council have chosen a piece of open space behind the existing school building to build the library. This is land owned by the County Council and is part of one of the only open spaces left in Kessingland that hasn't been developed. Whilst those present at the Public Meeting agreed to the proposals for the new library, they requested that in future all existing open spaces and play areas be protected. This brings up the next issue :- Issue 8:-Play Areas and Open Spaces :- To protect existing Open Spaces and improve |