Results of the Parish Survey conducted in November 2020 as part of the Four Year plan
A Questionnaire was distributed via the Village News to seek the views of residents on four projects
The White Bridge, The Library, Gateways for Belmesthorpe and a proposed Footpath on Belmesthorpe Lane
For the results and analysis please click on the links below –
Four Year Plan 2020 – 2024
RPC Four Year Plan 2020 – 2024 (PDF File)
Please click on this link to access the future plan – which is subject to review.
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The Parish Council of Ryhall & Belmesthorpe 2015 Four Year Plan – NOW COMPLETED October 2019
The UPDATES in red confirm the aims and objectives that have been completed/ their current status
You can download your copy here in PDF format. The 2015 Four Year Plan is also shown below.
The Parish Council of Ryhall & Belmesthorpe 2015 Four Year Plan (PDF File)
Introduction
This plan is being constructed by the Four Year Plan Steering Group on behalf of the Parish Council and takes into account suggestions and observations that have been raised in the Community and in the 2014 Parish Questionnaire; more detailed reports from the Questionnaire are at Annex A. It will take a practical overview of all activities within the Community and focus on measures required to coordinate and maintain the safe, secure and happy evolvement of the full spectrum of life in the Community. The Four Year Plan will be a “living” document that will contain a comprehensive set of information on all Parish Clubs, Facilities and Utilities for easy reference. This document will be available with the Parish Clerk, in the Library and on the Parish Website.
Assumption
As external funding is expected to be minimal for the foreseeable future, this plan will be used to guide and coordinate most future Parish funding priorities and bids during its term.
Aim
To produce a practical, affordable and achievable Ryhall & Belmesthorpe Parish Four Year Plan.
Focus
The plan will focus on the following major areas;
- Parish communications
- Good Neighbour & Community Schemes including the allotments.
- The Library & associated community services
- The Village Hall and Communal activities
- The Playing Fields, including children’s play area and Recreational Sports Facilities
- The Ryhall Village Square, the Community’s commercial enterprises.
- The Environment, utilities, roads, pathways and signage
- Future development plans
Parish Communications
A major priority is to improve the flow of information within the Community. A Parish Website is being established to speed the digital passage of information available to most households; this mechanism will work alongside the existing media of the Parish News and Village Notice Boards. Care will be taken to keep all these systems prominent, current and easy to use for the passage of information both to and from the Community.
UPDATE The new Website has been up and running since 2017 – it is a very comprehensive, inclusive and up to date website which is easy to navigate. We hope that this has vastly improved communications and speed of information. Users can contact us via the website using email.
There is now a community Noticeboard on the Ryhall Meadows Playing Fields near the school back gate entrance. This is for the community to use for posters and promotions. Please ask the Clerk for the key code. It is also to inform villagers about the proposed play area project. The parish council noticeboard at St Johns Close is brand new, lower for easy reading and in keeping with the conservation area .
Good Neighbour & Community Schemes
The Ryhall Neighbourhood Watch
The replies from the recent Parish Questionnaire underscored the need to re-establish a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Ryhall. A committee has been formed to build on the excellent work done previously both in Ryhall and Belmesthorpe to coordinate a friendly and efficient organisation of volunteers to restart the scheme in 2015.
UPDATE – after a successful start to revive numbers dwindled therefore it is with regret that the Neighbourhood Watch in Ryhall has ceased in summer 2019. There is now a Facebook page operated by volunteers.
- Establish better facilities, activities and meeting places for Teenagers – Ongoing – need further input
- Promote a full programme of activities for our Senior Citizens – catered for by extensive clubs and groups
- Promote close working relationship with Ryhall School – excellent working relationship established with the thriving village primary school
- Promote good liaison and support for Francis Court – continues to remain a good working liasion and there is an annual OAP Christmas Festive Lunch provided by funds from the Gala Day
- Consider Volunteer Driving Scheme – Not operational at present –
- Promote Village Lunches, community activities and a convenient coffee/meeting place – Belmesthorpe NHW hosts a monthly lunch club at the Blue Bell pub. The Library Community host many social events and has purchased a new luxury coffee machine for freshly made coffees.
- Maintain thriving Community Allotments through the Allotments Committee and encourage development of well positioned Village Flower Beds or Hanging Baskets – The allotment community are fully supported by the parish council who thank the hard working committee for all their dedication . The allotments have been divided into smaller more managable pots which means there are more available although currently there is a waiting list such is their popularity. Please see allotment section of the website for information on their community events. The hanging baskets and flower beds initiative is yet to be acheived .
- Promote better liaison & planning between Village activity Leaders –
- Generate Fund raising activities to improve Village facilities & support capability
Library & Associated Services
UPDATE – all the below aims have been achieved either partially or in their entirety – The Saturday morning opening is funded by the parish council and the Open House sessions on Tuesday and Friday afternoons are supported by a dedicated committee with thanks to Councillor Gombault for leading
- A committee is being formed to increase the use of the Library and its facilities.
- Seek volunteers to extend Library opening hours and improve availability of the facilities
- Arrange local training for volunteer staff.
- Upgrade the computers and ensure that the Public Internet facility works efficiently and is fully available for comprehensive customer use.
- Establish volunteer based administrative support & advice
- Computer help & advice
- Form filling and signposting to local government facilities
- Interview practice, etc.
- Explore more innovative use of Library facilities –Health Clinics, etc
Village Hall
UPDATE- the village hall remains the vibrant centre of the community. It is exceptionally well run by a dedicated committee , led by Chairman Paul Huddleston. The parish council supports the village hall – our meeting are held there bimonthly on a Monday. Most of the aims have been achieved . Car parking remains a challange with work ongoing to repair the surfaces as ther car park is used by school parents as well as the hall users and library users.
- Ensure that Committee has good support for on-going activities and Community use for a wide range of entertainment and activities.
- Enable good up-keep and sufficient staffing support
- Improve provision of Car Parking for larger attendance
- Improve storage facilities for Village Assets
- Improve visual appeal
Playing Fields
UPDATE – the playing fields remain a central focus for sport and recreation. The pitches are well maintained and used for football.
- Help the Playing Fields Committee to determine the manageable use of sports pitches and ensure self-sustainability of same
- Maintain the Pavilion and garage store in good order and fit for purpose
- Introduce Pavilion improvements recommended in recent audit – this is a future project
- Plant Orchard and improve visual appeal – original cherry tree orchard failed but a new apple tree row was established
- Establish a Trim-Trail around fields – this was disbanded. Replaced by idea of outdoor gym
- Promote general use & fund raising activities – used by residents to host charity events ( own insurance essential ) Gala Day in September very popular and well supported .
- Continue to improve the Play Park –Ambitous new proposed play park in early stages. This will be the focus of the next four year plan.
The Village Square and Commercial Enterprises
UPDATE – All the below aims remain ongoing . In the next four year plan there is a proposal for improved substantial Festive Lighting
- Improve visual appeal [Liaison with PO& Shop, Green Dragon& Immediate Residents]
- Closely monitor any plans or development of the former Butcher’s Shop.
- Improve traffic congestion, cyclist and pedestrian safety
The Environment, utilities, roads, pathways & signage
UPDATE – the first four aims have been achieved . Street Lighting has been transferred to Rutland County Council
- At annex – is a map and leaflet addressing the walks around the local area
- Monitor all environmental maintenance contracts to ensure effectiveness
- Take steps to improve the ease of passage and cleanliness of paths to all users (overgrowing foliage, horse droppings & dog poo)
- Maintain good up-keep of all utilities and facilities
- Ensure effectiveness of Street Lighting – Transferrred
- Address road traffic issues, including speeding – massive parish council push for increased road safety on the A6121 along Turnpike Road and Essendine Hill in conjuction with Rutland County Council. This is still a major priority along with speed reduction initiatives within the village and Belmesthorpe Lane. After many years the speed limit on Newstead Lane has been reduced from 60mph to 40mph with new signage.
- Monitor and resolve road drainage problems – always under strict monitoring by the parish council with regular highways walks
- Ensure a Safe but user friendly Welcome for all – Not progressed. An item for the next four year plan
- Establish & maintain strategically placed Flower Beds & Baskets- new well tended attractive flower bed by the Flag Pole thanks to the dedicated committee
- Maintain clear and polite signage
Ryhall Housing Plans 1992 – 2015
- Rutland Plan 1991-2005 1992 Flint Close proposal of 10 dwellings, rental ones under the remit of Lincs Rural Housing and the shared ownership under East Midlands Housing Association. Ten built by 1994 – four unoccupied in 1995.
- Consultation in June 1995, regarding development of land behind Parkfield Road. Petition and use of Chartered Town Planning consultant, David Bath August 1998. Appeal by Allison Homes. Public Local Inquiry into objections lodged against the Rutland local Plan on 24 March 1998. Full report published autumn 1998.
- November 1998 proposal for four dwellings on land next to Francis Court for rent only, not part ownership. This went ahead.
- 1999 SOS industrial site – land developed into Gwash Close for private homes. Affordable Housing scheme – following a Housing Needs Survey in 2007 sites were identified to meet the need to house people in the village. A team comprised of members of the parish councll, the Housing Strategy representative from RCC and staff from De Montford Housing Society.
- A site behind Flint close was deemed unsuitable due to sewerage works issues following a public consultation in December 2008.
- The second site was Back Lane following a second consultation 15 July 2009. A petition was raised on September 10th 2009 against this site.
- Other new builds since 1992 have been 5 large dwellings set back on Essendine Hill, with 2 more nearing completion, and one house at each end of Back Lane.
- There have also been 2 large houses built on the southern and western extremities of Belmesthorpe.
- Review of Important Open Space, Frontage and Green Corridors October 2010 Third site of Essendine Hill was identified as a possibility. A consultation on 28th April 2010 for eight homes. Fourth consultation in October 2010 at which 92% attendees were in favour of affordable housing provision and 91% supported the Essendine Road proposal. June 2011: Parish council consulted on naming the road – St Eabba’s Close was chosen. Housing completed and new residents moved in 21 November 2011.
- The Rutland County Council Local Plan runs until 2026. It will be rolled forward to 2036 with the process beginning in September 2015 to review the allocations and look at housing figures and employment in local service centres to keep in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
- The site allocation phases were deleted by the Inspector meaning that our site allocation Land adjacent to the Trout Farm RHY/ 02 (0.29 ha site area) for residential use sourced from the call for sites, is no longer held until the third phase but can commence when a planning application is submitted.
- This is the only site allocated in Ryhall until 2026 unless a windfall is allowed. Windfalls are sites not allocated in the plan but come forward, usually brownfield sites.
On-Going
The Steering Group for this plan will be most grateful if you can think of any other items that need addressing or if you have any suggestions and ideas that would help us to achieve our goals. More importantly we would welcome any help or support that you could offer to any of our Community schemes and activities.
4 Year Plan Steering Group
Adrian Gombault
Jon Whowell
David Wilby, 01780 482915 mob 07551 905618
12 March 2015