PROGRESS ON S&S ACTION PLAN
SUMMARY REPORT MARCH 2008
SUMMARY REPORT MARCH 2008
The Action Plan
Five years ago work started on a Village Healthcheck (nothing to do with medicine!), which was set up to look at several issues affecting the village adversely. This after much consultation in the village led to the formulation of an Action Plan which was approved by the Parish Council in late 2003. Since then several volunteers have worked on a number of issues, in close collaboration with 3 members of the Parish Council, who have now also (usefully!) been elected District Councillors. Without them much progress would not have been possible.
Communication
An early winner was improvement of village communication.
In early 2004 we arranged publication of the 1st of the popular and widely distributed quarterly Newsletters produced for our local villages, at no cost to us. Nearly 3 years ago we launched the Village Website. It contains Parish Council minutes and a wide range of other information and links to other sites. It receives in excess of 6000 visits per month and many requests for information from home and abroad.
Crime & Safety
In 2004 we formed a Local Action Team (the LAT) to bring the community and police together to try reduce crime and the fear of crime. It has been a struggle, not least because of the turnover in police personnel. We are now just about to receive our 7th Police sergeant in 4 years, and for the first time might have two PCSOs as was promised in 2004! We may begin to see more of them when they start and finish their shifts at Forge House intead of Steyning.
Traffic Volume & Speeding
Throughout the past 4 years we have been pressing our local authorities to deal with village problems around the volume and speed of Traffic, the inadequacy of Parking, and the poor state of the main roads and pavements. The 2006 petition to the Minister of Transport urging completion of the A27 Arundel bypass, to ease rat-running through Storrington, got nowhere, in spite of WSCC and MP support. Interactive Speed indicator signs have appeared but impact on speeding is very limited.
Parking
We have worked with HDC to approve a parking control scheme for all the public car parks and the creation of additional parking space. Though causing temporary severe disruption this spring, the improvements to the layout, appearance and safety of the High Street and the pavements will be of significant benefit.
Public Transport
We have made representations to the bus companies on bus schedules and routes and time-table display, with some positive results. The public transport subsidies available from WSCC for the elderly and the young need to be better promoted.
Social Care and Integration
Our Storrington & Sullington Befrienders scheme for the Elderly and Housebound continues well and will expand this year. Using young people, last year we completed a study into their needs, the services and facilities available to them, and have developed a series of proposals for action by many different agencies and organisations.
Our current major social project is the setting up of the ground floor of Forge House in Church Street as a Children and Family Centre with Community Information, Support and Advice. (see home page of website )
Company Formation
Finally, the Storrington & Sullington Community Partnership has now become a Company Limited by Guarantee, and has applied for charitable status. This has the objective of reducing costs and increasing our attractiveness to funders. Members of the Partnership have to be formally registered. Anyone who is interested to work in the partnership, or just to support it, is invited to register. It brings entitlement to be advised of and to vote at formal meetings. It will cost £1. Drop in to Forge House on weekdays 10 till 4.
If you wish to volunteer to work with the Partnership in some way.
Please contact Paul Mackie on 01903 745 669 or email paulmackie@mac.com
