Lee & Lincombe Community Appraisal
Report on the Results of the Questionnaire
1998
Introduction
The enthusiastic support for a community appraisal, following the open meeting of residents last September, has been followed by an equally enthusiastic response to the appraisal questionnaire. Of the 82 questionnaires issued to households, 77 were returned -a 94% return; this splendid rate of return is the highest so far in Devon, and it does mean that we can be confident that the results do accurately reflect the opinions of residents in the village. The Steering Group thanks most sincerely everyone who completed the questionnaire.
The questionnaires were, of course, completed anonymously by each household, and the originals have not been seen by anyone in the village. However, the information has been analysed by Mike Knight of the Community Council of Devon, and he presented the results to the Steering Committee; additional comments made on the questionnaires, either for particular questions or generally at the end, have also been collated. Mike Knight's analysis and the collated comments have been used as the basis of this report. His full analysis and all the comments are available separately to anyone who wants a copy; please ask Fran Nustedt at the Grampus for a copy.
Now that this report has been produced, the role of the Steering Committee has come to an end. It is up the residents of the village collectively to decide what should now happen. With this in mind, a further open meeting has been arranged to take place in the Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 7 October 1998. We do urge everyone to come along so that, hopefully, there is a real collective view of what to do next. To help focus minds on 7 October, the Steering Group has made a series of recommendations indicating possible ways forward. Those attending the meeting may think otherwise, but the Steering Group puts forward its recommendations in good faith as a starting point to discussions.
Do read this report, and do come along on 7 October! The appraisal so far has been very interesting and not without controversy! There has been a lot of interest, and a most encouraging response. The next stages could be very productive and exciting in the development of the village as it enters the 21st Century.
1. Comments on matters of general interest
169 people responded to the questionnaire from the 77 returned. The overall level of satisfaction with the quality of life enjoyed by village residents is high in terms of housing, mobility, health and social services. However, for a few individuals, there are problems, and one challenge for the community is how best to alleviate or satisfy these difficulties for these individuals, which are not issues for the vast majority of residents.
a)
Housing Only 4 people need alternative housing now, a further 4 within the next 3 years, and one more within the next 10 years. The majority of people (53.1 %) believe that no housing is needed, but there is a recognition by many that housing for local people and young people is needed. A surprisingly high number (59) indicated that they are looking for alternative accommodation to rent or buy; most frequently, it is cheaper accommodation to rent (£40 - £70 a week) and more expensive accommodation to buy (£100,000+)."This is a my small unspoilt village and we firmly believe this is the way it should stay. "
"A few low cost houses tastefully built could bring youngsters in our village and help it thrive. "
"People wanting to expand the village and its activities with new buildings and small industry should never have moved to Lee "
"Care needs to be taken to prevent Lee becoming a 'retirement' village for people who only want a chocolate box village to live in."
"Re possible new housing. What! Destroy millions of years of an AONB to satisfy greed and personal gain. Absurd!"
b)
Car ownership The level of car ownership is very high with 115 cars in the 77 households. Very few people would use an improved winter bus service; only 2 people would use it daily, and 80% would never, or only occasionally, Use it. Clearly, there is not enough interest to warrant a service, but 6 households have no vehicle, and, for these households, the very limited public transport is a problem.Vehicles per household
c)
Medical and social services Although, for most medical and social services, people have to travel outside the village, there is a high degree of satisfaction with the services; for example, 84.9% of those expressing an opinion are satisfied with the doctor's service and only 3.8% are dissatisfied. Satisfaction for the ambulance service, health visitor, district nurse, meals on wheels and maternity care ranges (in ascending order) from 94.4 to 100%. However, some of the more specialist services, used by a small number of residents, gives more concern. Of those expressing opinions, 25% judge mental health services to be poor, and 33.3% (5 individuals) judge the chiropody service to be poor. The large majority of people never, or only occasionally, have difficulties in getting to medical or social services; the biggest concern is getting to an NHS dentist (25.3% of those using one have difficulties), followed by social services office (20%), and chiropodist (18.5%). When occasional difficulties are added, the figures rise considerably. Whilst the total numbers are quite small, there are undoubted difficulties for these people."Although not necessary for myself,
I feel that there is probably a need for a surgery to be held at least weekly for nurse, doctor, chiropodist; etc.""Maintenance of mobile library service."
d)
Clubs and playgroup There are relatively small numbers of residents who want various clubs to be formed. However, those wanting certain types of club should not be discouraged from investigating their viability as there is interest in many. The most promising numbers expressing interest were : walking (24), skittles (19), table tennis (15), music (13), yoga (12), cards (11), evening classes (10), cycling (9), kayaking (8). Numbers for others are smaller, but full details of other responses are available. Similarly, numbers indicating the need for a playgroup is relatively small, but 21 indicated the need, suggesting there is a nucleus of interest and a need, initially, for like minded people to be put in touch with each other.Well over 30 different interests expressed from aromatherapy and beekeeping to snooker, and most other things!
e)
Education and training As many as 37 people would be interested in taking various forms of vocational training now or in the future. The most popular areas are skilled/craft related and computing courses. Whilst numbers are unlikely to be enough to warrant much provision in Lee (though most responses would like that), there is, again, a nucleus of interested people who would support provision here or elsewhere and could help each other.f)
Village co-operative 39 people would be interested in investigating the possibility of a village co-operative; many expressed no opinion, possibly because they did not know what the question meant, but as 27.1 % of respondents expressed an interest, there is scope for investigation.Recommendation
That a volunteer agrees to act as a contact person through whom people with similar interests and ideas can be put in touch, to provide information for further contacts for people with particular problems, and to maintain a directory of people prepared to offer practical help (eg transport) whenever possible. (There will be an opportunity at the open meeting for individuals, if they wish, to identify their particular needs, express interests, offer skills, etc., so that, hopefully, a start can be made very quickly.)
[DF&F Main Menu] [Community Profiles Menu] [Community Appraisals Menu] [Top of Page]
[Devon C.C. Homepage]
Page Created: September 2000
This Information was provided by Corporate Information Services
Send any comments, enquiries, etc. to DRIS@devon.gov.uk